Preschool

We had a big change in our routine this week.  This summer when Camden moved up to the 4 year old class at her daycare, I started to have some concerns.  I wasn't really impressed with her new teacher in demeanor or interactions.  The summer was just daycare, but last week we moved to "preschool" format.  My concerns did not diminish (and maybe even increased) with what I thought Camden was getting.  Since we are considering starting her in kindergarten next year, I want to make sure she has a solid preschool preparation/experience.  

 

A friend of ours runs a preschool that we had talked about moving her to.  I saw a sign for an Open House on Tuesday last week and stopped by.  Turns out it was for all the incoming kids and their families.  I stayed briefly anyway and talked to a few parents I knew (they not only go to our church, but their kids were also at our daycare previously).  In talking to them, I realized my assessment of our current daycare/preschool was fairly accurate.  Additionally in the 15 minutes we were there, I was impressed with the staff, facility, attitude.  The testimonies of the parents didn't hurt.

 

The director said they were full and school started on Monday. I told her I'd like to be put on the wait list.  She gave me the handbook for me to make sure (which I read that night which only confirmed our desire to make this move).

 

Long story short (well sorta), the director called on Sunday afternoon, said she had a cancellation, and the spot was open for Camden if we wanted it.  I quickly said yes and Camden started the next morning.

 

From the moment we walked in on Monday, I knew we made the right choice.  From the greeting to the ease in leaving me, it was exactly what I want for her.  She had recently picked a new backpack (yes, Spiderman) in which she brought her blanket/pillow/change of clothes and we packed her lunch in her beloved monkey lunch box from earlier days (haven't had to do that since PDO when she was 1).

The first week has exceeded my expectations.  She absolutely loves the very structured, but very loving environment.  I am confident she will thrive in her new preschool.

Latest Water Adventure

A few Sundays ago, we enjoyed some time on Lake Waveland with our group from church.  After a wonderful meal, we took turns out on the boat.  Doug hooked the "raft" up to the back and off we went.  Camden was so excited.

 

Jen and Harry (fresh out of the Navy - welcome home!) and their two nephews joined us.  The two boys went first.  After seeing them, Camden was all too eager for her turn.

While it made things a little lopsided, Kevin took one side and Camden the other.  Doug was masterful in steering to give them a great ride and keep them afloat.  It probably didn't help that I was on the boat cringing at every turn, closing my eyes half the time, and fretting.  Boy it's hard being a paranoid mother.  I knew she was fine.  She had her dad, a life vest, and slim chance of wiping out, but my heart was racing and mind was churning scenarios none-the-less.

Doug taught her three hand signals.  Thumbs up to go faster, thumbs down to slow down, and a swipe across the neck to stop.  Everytime I looked back, Camden had her thumb up.  The little daredevil!

They both giggled and squealed the entire time.  Kevin also got her to yell, "Mom's a big chicken" because I was cringing a little too often.

 

We took a break and let another group go.  Afterward, we loaded up again and Camden went on her own.  I probably shouldn't have gotten on the boat.  Actually I did still have moments of concern, but I knew she was loving it and was so happy for my brave, adventure-seeking girl.



Turkey Run State Park

The perfect place for a quick evening out of the house.  We love this spot beneath the bridge.  And Camden and her Daddy love the bridge.

Schmidt's Sausage Haus

Since we ended up having a long drive on Saturday night, we were able to be more leisurely on Sunday and still get home at a decent hour.  We spent the morning having a wonderful breakfast at the hotel, swimming in a cold pool, and lounging around. 

We planned to stop in Columbus, OH for a late lunch and did a quick google search for something unique.  This restaurant in the Germantown neighborhood fit the bill.  We had a great meal and fun experience.  They also had a fudge haus across the street so we had a few goodies for the road, too.

***Kevin was getting the car, so I had to hold Camden and look out the face hole while a stranger took our picture.  Not bad for the stretch I had to do...

Faces

The best part of the reunion is, of course, the people.  Here are a few of the highlights (but not nearly everyone)!

Margot Starbuck Hausman is a truly unique and amazing woman.  She brought her oldest two kids.  She is an author, speaker, advocate extraordinaire!  She is holding the newly adopted daughter of my good friend Michelle (not pictured).  Makena is just 6 weeks old.



Bruce and Pam Main's two daughters, Maddie and Erin.  Erin finished her freshman year at Eastern University but is transferring to Azusa Pacific in CA where Maddie will be an incoming freshman.  Their older brother Calvin just graduated from Brown and has moved to LA for work.  All three Main kids out of the house (empty nest!) and on the West Coast.

A little mix-up with our lunch on Friday afternoon made Bruce make an impromptu change of plans.  He hustled the alums across the street to a wonderful Puerto Rican restaurant where we ate family style.  The food was better than I have words for.  Mark Cerbone (husband of my dear friend Diann) is pictured below (along with Pam & Erin Main).  Diann and I were roommates when I first moved to Camden after college.  She met and married Mark, they moved to Buffalo, NY where she started an urban ministry that just celebrated it's 20th anniversary this year.  They have three beautiful teenage daughters who were at the next table over...can't believe I didn't get a picture of Diann and her girls!

 Tony and a restless Camden (which made for a bad picture).

 Happy 50th Brucie Bear!

Margot, Jeff Smith (who was on my very first staff in 1986), and I visiting Rosebud.  Jeff returned to Camden for several summers and moved out there in 88 or 89.  He worked with UP for a few years, then got his teaching certificate and has been a teacher in Camden elementary schools ever since.

The beauty in the middle is Jodina who is the Executive Director of UP.  She has been a wonderful friend from early on.  She ran all the teenage programs while I did the kids.  She left for a law degree and high-profile work in prison reform before returning to UP a few years ago.  So glad she is at the helm now!

 Jimbo!  He was a summer leader for 4 years in the early 90's.  He, too, is one of my favorite people that I only see at reunions.  He has an amazing wife and two great kids.  Kennedy came as a 6 year old to the first reunion in 2003. 

Kenyatta was a kid in the program from the beginning.  Jeff mentored him and a few other boys for years.  He has had a rough time (through decisions of his own), but is striving to do right.  So good to see him. (as well as Big Joe and Peanut - no picture, just for my memory).

Gabby was an intern for a number of years and one of my afterschool program directors.  She stayed for several years after me and has an long list of relationships she touched through her time at UP. 

 Lucy and Leslie were also interns and long-term staff at UP (both in Camden and in Toronto (Lucy)).

Tall Pines Camp

Saturday morning of the reunion was spent at UrbanPromise headquarters for breakfast, talk by Tony Campolo (always love hearing him), and a 50th birthday toast (and cake) to Bruce.  It was great to hear so many people share what he has meant in their lives.

A quick visit to Rosebud in her nursing home and then we were off to Tall Pines for a relaxing afternoon hanging out, sharing more stories, and enjoying the facilities.  I found this place when I visited in the spring and it was perfect for what we wanted to do.  They staff took care of everything.  From the all-you-can eat cookout and ice cream to hosting friendly competitions on the basketball, softball, and tennis courts, a fun time was had.  Camden, of course, enjoyed the water options most!

But she also took a turn on the mini-golf course and one of the many inflatable options.

We said our goodbyes here and took off toward home. Originally we planned to do about 3-4 hours, but found every hotel on the turnpike/I-70 (and I'm not exaggerating in the least) was booked from Breezewood Pennsylvania to Columbus, OH.  We hadn't booked ahead (so unlike us) since we weren't really sure how the day would play out.  We ended up having to go 1/2 hour off the interstate up to Pittsburgh to find a hotel that we paid nearly twice what is the top limit we ever pay.  It was crazy!  But at least we only had 6-7 hours to drive on Sunday.

Singing Sensations

Camden and Carter rocked the stage while we ate breakfast each morning.  They stole many a heart.

All-Camp Day

The reunion got underway on Friday morning with All-Camp Day. This is when all the various neighborhood camps come together for a friendly competition.  I helped start this tradition in 1991.  A year later, I added the golden crate which is the coveted prize (along with bragging rights) to the entire event.  Each camp has a camp color and get all decked out in it.  They have since added a mascot competition which is really over-the-top. Each camp has a theme to their outfits to match their mascot.  All-camp day was once held at various camp locations throughout the city, then in the UP sanctuary for a number of years (where 1000 people packed into the un-air conditioned space caused some heat-related  health issues), but now it is held in the Rutgers University - Camden gym and theater.

Before we loaded on the bus, we got our faces painted in the colors of the camp we wanted to cheer on.  I really oversaw every camp, so never really chose, but since I started Camp Saved (Red), Camden selected to have a red heart (and a pink cross because she loves pink).

The camps march in one-by-one.  The place is louder than you can even imagine.

Camden was slightly overwhelmed to begin with, but then Camp Grace came in with their Peter Pan theme.  Oh my!  There was a Peter, Captain Hook, Rufio, and Tinkerbell.



Camp Saved went with a Dr. Seuss theme which was ridiculously amazing.

I was one of the judges giving out points for costume, mascots, and most importantly participation and good sportsmanship.  Camden stayed by my side and assisted me.

After the main competitions in the gym, we filed out to the theater next door for the camp song competition.  Each camp writes and performs an original song that promotes their camp.  We all really liked Camp Spirits creation.

We are having silly computer problems uploading images and videos (hence the long time it's taking to release these posts), but as soon as it's resolved I have several videos to accompany many of these posts.

Pre-Reunion Cookout

Thursday evening, we went to Marcus and Alison Bell's house.  Both were at UP as interns when I was there.  They married, had four kids, worked elsewhere, and just returned to staff this summer.  They are a wonderful family and Camden enjoyed the evening playing with their four girls and Jodina's son, Carter.

This couple has also taken a few of the young men under their wings.  When they left UP about 10 years ago, they stayed in the area and in touch with these guys.  Three of them, Jacob, Pookie, and Ryan were over for dinner.  These three were kids in my program.  One of my favorite moments of the day/weekend, was walking into the living room and seeing my "boys" hanging out with my husband watching preseason football.

Other alum were also arriving in town for the weekend and it was nice visiting with Gabby and Nadia before the official reunion began.

CoCo Keys

We Pricelined our hotel and ended up at one with a huge waterpark.  This wasn't included in our price; however, I didn't have much to do on the day before the reunion, so we decided to pay the extra and spend the day getting super wet!  We had such a fun day together.

Despite the fact that like 500 kids from area day camps were there, Camden was everywhere.  It really wasn't as bad as we thought when we saw them arrive.  Camden wasn't intimidated by the crowd and waited patiently in short lines, because she loved the slides.

The lazy rivered encouraged vests for kids under 48", so Kevin went back and got it from our room.  She had already played for over an hour without it, but asked to put it on when Kevin brought it back (along with the camera).  When we went back in the afternoon (after some food and a nap), she didn't use it (and never really needed it).  

The smaller yellow slide was enjoyed dozens of times, but she really liked the bigger blue and orange ones.  When we came back in the afternoon, Kevin and I went down these two (as well as the three huge slides).  We all agree that the medium blue slide was our favorite.