First Sleepover Camp

Over the winter, Helen Grace started talking about going to summer sleepover camp and expressed some interest. Several of her friends went to Victory Ranch in Bolivar, TN last year, so they must have been telling fun stories. HG and I watched videos and looked at all the pics on the website, and she started getting really excited about it. I gave her a few weeks to let it sink in, and she only got more convinced she wanted to do it so I signed her up for a week in June with five of her SAA classmates.

She had one or two moments where she got a little nervous as the summer approached, but overall, she stayed on fire about camp. We had fun shopping together for all the things she needed, and she asked me to write her some notes that she could read at bedtime with inspirational thoughts and I threw in some dream ideas to help her get to sleep. We met up with her buddies on the Saturday before camp to paint all of our cars, which she thought was fabulous fun.

Spiffer and GD kept Cressey at home so that John and I could give HG our undivided attention at drop off on Sunday afternoon. We helped her make up her bed and waited for her bunkmate, Maddie, to arrive. (Two other SAA friends, Evie and Emma, were also in her cabin!!!) Once Maddie arrived, we gave her a quick hug and kiss, and she basically pushed us out the door.

We watched the camp’s website for pics all day every day, and of six days there and tons of pics, we only spotted one fake smile. She was beaming in every shot! Meanwhile, Cressey asked incessantly where Heh Gwace was and started saying she wanted to go to “camp” too, and I realized how much HG entertains all of us and keeps us busy. We made it through the week but eagerly counted down the days until we could see her again on Saturday. She was so happy to see all of us, even Cressey! I was so proud of her for making a lot of new friends from other cabins and towns, and she said she didn’t really have much homesickness. She seems a bit more mature and responsible since she’s home, and I swear she talked non stop for the first 48 hours. Maybe she enjoyed the independence. She’s even asked if she could go back for another session this summer. As a kid that loved my camp experience, I am so happy that she loves it too!

Waiting in line at the camp gate

Got our cabin/ counselor assignment- she’s ready to race for her bunk!

Can barely contain her in the car, chomping at the bit to get out

She’s claimed hers

And waiting on Maddie

Ran into Whitney there too!

Quickly snapped a pic as she pushed us toward the door. I basically forced her to hug me.

Her cabin at dinner that first night

In her happy place

GIVE ME MY GIRL!!!

With her counselor, Aubrie

Look at this cuteness

REUNITED

Nola Girls’ Trip

Over the weekend of May 5th, Helen Grace and I got out of town with the Words to experience a little New Orleans charm. We stayed at the Hilton on St. Charles which was perfect for a trip with kids- close enough to the quarter but not walking out into it. We squeezed as much as we could into a quick weekend trip- beignets, a carriage ride, street performers, street cars, the aquarium, balconies, beads (although NOT caught off those balconies!), and even the girls’ first second line (although surely not their last)!

First glimpse of Bourbon Street

A sweet treat at Sucre

As we walked to Sucre, we ran across a band member who was carrying a miniature saxophone and was headed to a second line for a bachelorette party. He showed the girls the sax and told us to swing by and see the parade. As we left Sucre, we just happened to stumble upon it, and when the guy recognized us, he waved the girls into the crowd. Thankfully, the bride and her bridesmaids were gracious and shared all their batons and masks with the girls.

They weren’t so sure about the ghost stories our driver shared…

Dinner at the Bourbon House

This dog was shocking- he stood totally still like a statue on the back of his owner’s bike. The girls were crazy about all the dogs in Nola.

Late night beignets at Cafe Beignet

A pic from Daddy Daycare back home

Brunch at the Court of Two Sisters

Aquarium

Lupper at House of Blues

Street car ride to Magazine Street

Tried to stop at the House of Broel to look at fancy debutante dresses, but they were closed.

Sno cones in Nola are a must!

The girls were set on swimming, but we were sad to learn our hotel’s pool was closed. The manager walked us over to a pool at a sister property. We were so tired after a long, fun day of sightseeing that we ordered pizza and ate it in bed!

Sissies reunited!