Waaaahhh, today is a happy/sad kind of day. Awards are given out and everyone spends time remembering all the wonderful experiences they've had. But we also know that we are heading home and leaving some people that we will forever hold close in our hearts--and that we hope to see again next year.
I was up early (the boys slept pretty well for me but I didn't sleep well at all) trying to be quiet while I tried to organize things and do a bit of packing. I even skipped a shower--just to give Gene some time to sleep in.
Got the boys up. Nurse Daureen came early and helped get Casey ready. Got the boys up in their chairs and headed for breakfast.
Casey got a little bored waiting but held himself together pretty well.
Awards tend to make everyone a little teary-eyed and this year was no exception. It's always fun to learn more about the campers and their families by the awards that they get. The counselors are always so creative.
Casey got the "Where in the World is Casey O'Neill" award. It's a wooden airplane painted in his colors (green and black). He got this because he tried to find wifi wherever he went so he could do his Google maps! Colin received the "Hummingbird" award. It's an eagle, painted blue, with his name and Hummingbird Award painted on it. He got this because wherever he was at camp he'd be humming/singing to whatever song was on. He's very cute when he does this :) Gene got a wooden boat and the "Perfect Storm" award because he was a trooper when he and Casey went out on the pontoon boat in the pouring rain and he was the only one not covered by an umbrella or the canopy and he didn't complain one bit. I got the "Mom Swap" award because the counselors all thought they'd love to have me for a mom for one day. I *think* it's a compliment :). They pained a wooden box for me, signed their names on the back, and put tracings of the boys hands on paper in the box. I'm to add keepsakes in the box. They presented me with awards for Nurses Julie and Lauren since they had to leave Friday. Julie got the Nurse Fly by Night (or something like that). I think it was supposed to be some kind of an airplane made out of cardboard?? (not sure really, lol). Lauren "Bull in a China Shop" award because she kept dropping things but nothing every broke, ha ha. It was a decorated cardboard circle with lace around it. Anyway, it's always a bittersweet time during the awards. I can't quite put it in words, and unless you've been to Double H or another special camp like ours, it's hard to describe the atmosphere and feelings that run through...
We had time to do a quick change on the boys and get them settled into their chairs again, and finish packing up the room before the camp store opened. Colin got into the van and hung with Matty while Casey and I hit the store. Casey was very insistent that he go shopping in there. We picked out three tee shirts (Casey had Tye-dyed one for Gene) and that's about all we got. They had other good stuff but I didn't want to take too much time in there. It's a small room and it gets very crowded. We're hoping that they start putting more stuff on line so we can shop all year long.
Then it was time to go. Hugging and all that kind of stuff. No actual tears but it was close for Casey.
The ride home wasn't the most pleasant. No one was really comfortable and things were not very organized but we made it. Julia was there when we got home, so that was a good thing. She had mixed the formula and got the boys' spots ready, worked on laundry, etc. Nancy H came a bit later. I was able to get a bunch of stuff unpacked and equipment into being washed, etc.
Gene got the dog and we back to our regular lives again. Already looking forward to next year!!!
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