More Camp Days

On Sunday we drove Brennan to Camp Chestnut Ridge for his first overnight camp experience.  We were so proud of him for his positive outlook and excitement about camp, even though he didn't know anyone!  We registered him and took him to his cabin- Oak Cabin.  He was excited to get the top bunk and started getting to know the other nine campers he'd share the cabin with for the week.  We said our goodbyes and headed back to Raleigh praying that camp would be a great experience for our sweet boy!  I remember my camp experiences as some of the best times in my life.  I also remember how much stronger camp made my faith journey and how much more confident it made me.  I prayed that the same would be true for Brennan!  I think we were more nervous than Brennan was!

He got the top bunk!  This is his
secret symbol for saying camp is
great!

He even has his friends doing the secret
symbol!  I love my kid!

Kate was so excited about her camp
experiences too!

Here is Brennan's cabin on the first night.

We took Kate to her first night of Vacation Bible School at a church up the road and she was so brave too!  She gave us a kiss and told us she'd be okay.  She imitated her brother and wanted to be as grown up as him.  It was very sweet!  Off we went... and our house seemed so quiet without either child!  I really wasn't sure what to do .... and so Dave and I just watched a movie together.  It was great to just sit and relax and not have to take care of anyone for a few hours. 

Kate's Vacation Bible School went from 6:00- 8:30 PM Sunday through Thursday.  She LOVED it and they loved her!  They were so happy to have her as part of their church for the week!  On Monday she went with me to The Raleigh School.  I had to teach a Lego Camp to 15 six and seven year old boys and one sweet (and brave) little girl.  Kate went to Treasure Camp at the preschool.  She was very excited to pack her lunch each day and had a great time.  My Lego Camp was fun to teach as well and the kids were so adorable!  With Kate in camp from 9:00- 1:00 each day and then camp again at night- the week went really fast!  Of course stick a physical therapy appointment in there  for Kate as well as a doctor visit for me, and a Vacation Bible School program Thursday night and before we knew it, it was time to pick Brennan up from camp.  We couldn't wait to get him and hear all about the week!

Throughout the week we looked for pictures of Brennan on Camp Chestnut Ridge's Facebook page as well as their photo page.  We saw a few pictures of Brennan on Tuesday and could tell he was having a great time!  We were so excited for him.  He gave us the "secret symbol" in one picture that said "camp is GREAT!".  We love that he used our secret symbol to convey that to us!  We were also thankful that we could e-mail him each day!  He said he got the most mail of everyone!

We arrived at his camp at 6:00 PM and drove back to his cabin.  He was hanging out front with his friends and they were hugging each other and laughing.  His camp counselors said what a great week they had too!  We went to eat dinner with everyone and loved the food!  After dinner some of the camp kids went to the front of the room to sing some of the camp songs and Brennan immediately joined them!  We were shocked!  Brennan hates being in front of any group and doesn't like singing...  well here he was singing at the top of his lungs, doing all of the actions, smiling a huge smile, and having a great time!  I was so happy to see him like this that it literally brought tears to my eyes!  I am not usually an emotional person (especially in public) yet here I was wiping a few tears away!

On the hour ride home Brennan talked nonstop about all the fun he had and he continued talking clear until bedtime!  Brennan barely shares much with us but told us so much on Friday.  Some of the sweetest comments were that he shared a concern that his grandma had died and how good everyone made him feel, that he was a little homesick the first night and his counselor gave him (Brennan) his moose to sleep with to make him feel better, and that Claire (one of the counselors) thought Brennan had the best hair and kept playing with it all week. I could tell how special Claire made Brennan feel.  It truly was a magical week for Brennan and was everything I had prayed it would be.  We wanted Brennan to become more confident, more responsible, and walk closer to God- and all of our wishes came true!  We will always be thankful for the campership assistance program and our church that made camp possible for Brennan!  Camp Chestnut Ridge has given over $17,000.00 in funds to help kids with financial difficulties to attend camp. They said they have never turned a child away!  What a great program- I truly hope to pay it forward someday and help make camp a possibility for many children in years to come.  And our church paid the rest of the fees for us without even a moment's hesitation.  Our church understands how magical camp is and wanted the same for Brennan.  Once again we have been blessed and our prayers have been answered! 

The day after camp, Brennan's fun summer continued when he went to Wet and Wild with a friend for the day.  What a great summer so far!