Don't rock the boat baby

What a day, Mom, LuLu and I went up to Kolette's girls camp today to see what she's been up to and more importantly for me--to learn from Natalie how to teach archery. Kolette and I are in charge of teaching archery at Owlettes in 2 weeks. Natalie's off to India on Sunday so there was no way to pin her down between now and then. It's a great camp, really spread out, but it looks like the girls are having a blast. It's such a great theme. It's something based on stories. The girls have a story (like beauty and the beast or princess and the pea etc..) and they fit it to a value. It's remarkable how clever the YW are (and of course the leaders) It's was so fun for me to see girls camp from another perspective, to see how other stakes run their camps. I wish I could have stayed longer to see more actually. I think perhaps Kole will do it again next year and so I'll have another chance to see. Kole does good work. Really good stuff. 

My poor "baby LuLu" who still can't say my name, got stung by a giant bumble bee on her head. Oh she cried a little and she seemed ok and it looked like she didn't have any reaction but when we got home her forhead was slightly swollen. She looked like a different girl. Poor baby. She hasn't slept that well anyways and to be stung just kind of tired her out even more. The trip up to camp was only an hour and so mom and I were hoping on the trip home that it would be a good opportunity for Lu to fall asleep. Well she did right away. Mom and I just kept driving as long as she was asleep--which was over an hour and half, happy to have LuLu belle sleep but we were a little nervous as were literally on empty.  As luck would have it she woke up just as we were pulling up to a gas station.

Here she is with us after we picked up the boys from camp and Matt took us (Dad, Sam, Sotir, LuLu and me) to the island. Matt had the boys and Lu in his canoe and dad and I had our own. Matt kicked our butts. In fact, even before we got ON the canoe dad and I lost ours and Matt had to dive into the water to retrieve it. 

Here are the boys heading out. Matt stopped right after the aquaduct and showed the boys these 2 HUGE snakes. They, of course, were thrilled. It was funny as we were headed toward the island the boys were so concerned  about tipping over and LuLu couldn't wait to dip her head into the water or in reality to jump in the river. Well she did. She was just fine and was laughing and the boys were screaming in concern. However, on the way home the boys were rocking the boat and wanting to tip the canoe and swim to shore--against the current I might add. Suddenly they were the super heroes they play day after day.

We got to the island and docked one of the canoes joined Matt, the boys and LuLu on their canoe. Matt then took us down the rapids and showed us around. It's quite amazing actually I wish I could explain all that they have there. They have these tree houses that are so cool and seem to be able to live--teach quite "green" out there. Here's dad on this swinging bridge they have there. If anyone knows me they know my fear of bridges, which is quite ironic as living in Seattle doesn't really allow bridge phobias. Bridges are everywhere! 

 

After we explored the island we (Matt rather) paddled us across the the water to the other side to show us the rope swings. Sam and Sotir swam across--I was so proud of them, there was even a little current and that didn't even deter them. My camera was on the fritz but above is the best picture I could get of Sam swinging off the rope. He loved it. I think he could have stayed all day. Matt did a flip off the rope and Sam was determined to do one as well. We never gave him ample time so I am assuming we'll have to head there another day for Sam to master the flip. Matt took LuLu too off the rope swing. It was not her favorite thing to do that day. But her owee was hurting and she was getting hungry so she had good reason to be sad (only a little Kole). 

The whole island has all these little shells. That is heaven for my shell seeker boy. If he had had a way to get them off the island he would have and we would need to pay the extra baggage fee on the way home. Among the small shells once and awhile a large one is found and one can only imagine the joy the boys feel. This is Sotir's find for the day. 

We headed back on the trail for awhile with Sotir as our leader. We couldn't touch any leaves because they had monsters on them and we had to scream if we touched one.  Dad and LuLu were on a different trail and Matt was in the canoe paddling up river. He was to meet us where our other canoe was docked and we'd then head back together.  I can't imagine what they thought they were hearing from deep in the woods. We headed home after many diversions. The ADD can kick in once in awhile I found but eventually we made it. Yea home where grandma had our 

spaghetti waiting all ready. It was so cute, not being a lover of spaghetti myself, however to hear the boys cheers and they expressing their gratitude to their grandmother of what a great cook she is and how delicious the meal was made me so happy. Sometimes the teaching of social graces really do sink in.