House Camp & Barrier Island

Henry started off his week going to the dentist with Todd.  He came home saying his hygienist told him he was her best patient ever.  Not of the day.  Ever.  And, because he was her best patient ever, she told him he must be his mother's favorite child.  That's what she told you?  Really? I do appreciate a good report.  

Benson gave us a scare earlier in the week.  Just last week, we were talking about how proud we were of him for leaving the acorns in our yard alone.  It was almost like he heard us and chose defiance.  Todd and I have both chased him around trying to get him to drop the acorns.  (Should there be a next dog, the first command we'll teach is "drop it.")  Tuesday evening, he started having tremors.  From the acorns.  Google said to take him to the vet right away, but the treatment listed was possible charcoal induction and most likely IV fluids.  He was eating and drinking just fine for us.  The tremors did not last long, either.  The next day, Todd stayed home from work and spent some time picking up a lot of acorns.  Every time I take Benson out, I pick up another couple handfuls.  It feels like the squirrels are up in the tree lobbing them at us.  It really does.  

Before leaving for their camps, the kids had to make it through Tuesday.  Each of them had three tests that day.  The teachers were trying to get them all in before leaving.  Despite the teachers going to camp with them, they want those test results pronto.  

For House Camp, Josiah spent some time making a shirt for a friend who jumped off the cliff last year, breaking his arm.  The friend said he was like Wylie E Coyote, and that was all it took to inspire Josiah.  

At camp, Josiah presented his House's mascot.  Their team is Rountree and their symbol is a tree, so what better mascot than a squirrel.  He was tasked to come up with a backstory, to, which was very clever.  Have you ever heard of Squirrel Team 6?...He first joined the team during the Dog and Land conflict of '86....He has always been obsessed with serving others, bringing unity, and teaching humility...  Josiah did the whole thing by himself and happily so.  In my box at school, I discovered a judge's form.  I watched videos of all the mascot presentations and did not hesitate to give Josiah's House the full 25 points. He did present it well, though, and it was always good to see him.    

When they got back, Henry said they were given bracelets if one of the seniors saw them doing something kind, helpful, or virtuous.  Henry said he got four bracelets.  Then he told me to ask Josiah how many he got.  Eight!  Henry said some of his good deeds were not seen.  That's how it is, even if they are not seen by others, they're seen by God, and it is always good to do the right thing, to be kind and helpful.  

They sadly did not have chicken and waffles this trip, but it sounds like they had something better.  Grilled cheese sandwiches.  Some of the boys decided to compete who could eat the most.  Josiah ate 10 halves.  His friend ate 16.  Josiah said they had tomato soup which made them all go down smoothly.  That's a lot of cheese sandwiches.  

Caroline was not looking forward to going back to Barrier Island.  Last year's experience with the mud pit was enough for her.  This year, I gave her my watch so she could track her steps, because they walk for miles each day.  When she got back, she had had a good time.  She loved the nature walk again.  This year the mud pit was not waist deep - it only covered their feet.  They cleaned off in the Atlantic.  And she got a sweatshirt as a souvenir since next year, she'll join the boys at House Camp.  Usually, I get no pictures from these events, but this year one mom made a video compilation of the pictures and sent it to everyone.  It was wonderful!

This weekend we decided to try Thai food.  Caroline has a new pen pal for her Geography class and her pen pal lives in Thailand.  It's a loose use of the word "pen"pal because now it's all email.  They've already emailed back and forth a few times and when Caroline asked her favorite food, she said Pad Thai.  We wanted to try it.  We also tried drunken noodles and a fried rice.  We had mixed reviews, but concluded we prefer Chinese takeout.  The fried rice was very good though.  After eating, I showed Caroline the Thai alphabet and then the evening quickly devolved.  Google translate was pulled up and we listened, in Thai, as the boys insulted each other.  All we could understand was "Hen-reee" and "Joe-see-ahh" followed by lots of snickering and laughter.  Mostly Henry wrote he was the favorite child.  Josiah write that Henry was 'mid'.  

 Benson got the remnants of House Camp - the green lai.

Benson also continues his defense against the deer who could care less about his barking.