Lots Can Happen in a Week

If you could have seen the bunnies and the emu!  This past Wednesday we attended the Washington County Fair and were filled with many amazing sites.  We started by roaming through all the rides and pointing to our favorites.  We stopped for an amazing camel ride and to check out the chickens and bunnies.  There were bunnies, ducks and chickens of every size and color in the barn.  The girls were able to pet their favorite long haired baby bunnies.  As we slurped our malts from the dairy barn, we checked out the sheep, goats, cows and wild animals.  Emma was brave enough to pet a crocodile.  We saw wallabees hopping around in their pen as well as the biggest owl in the world (for real the sign read largest owl in the world).  After seeing all the animals, each girl decided on two rides they wanted to go on.  Emma went in a giant bubble and walked on water, Analise tried out a ride with cars and one with planes.  Because the fair was not well attended, due to cold weather that day, the ride conductors even let the girls go on a few rides for free.  Emma and Ani tried out the fun house of mirrors and saw their bodies morphed into a variety of shapes, and Daddy tried to win our family another goldfish.  No luck this year.

 The bunnies are blending into their surroundings

Be brave...he's a wiggly one!

Towards the end of the week, Mommy and Emma packed up their gear for a weekend at Girl Scout Camp!  Mommy was excited to take Emma around her old stomping ground at Camp Lakamaga.  When we arrived we found out we would be in the Lockbre cabins with two other moms and their daughters.  We excitedly trekked all of our bags out the site and set up our sleeping bags and pillows at our favorite bunk bed.  After unpacking a few things, we joined the other campers for some getting to know you games and smore roasting.  We sang and danced to silly camp songs and read books using a flash light late into the night.  The next morning we ate a pancake breakfast and were surprised when Emma was picked to be the lead for the color guard in the flag raising ceremony.  Emma walked proudly and helped to lift the flag to start the days events.  

 Emma and Bella cabin mates

Bunk bed extravaganza 

Leading the flag ceremony

After the ceremony, we headed to the lake to kayak on the water.  It was windy and started to rain so we only stayed out for a bit.  For every paddle forward we were pushed two steps back.  After we beached the kayak, we headed for the lodge to pick up a scavenger hunt.  We clomped all over the camp looking for animals, plants and natural wonders.  Mommy helped Emma see what platform tents look like and Emma got a chance to use the latreens, the scariest part of camp for Mommy when she was a young girl.  Now they spray the potties down with orange scent and they don't have all the spiders partying it up in the corners.  After our hunt, we went to the art hut to make a journal craft.  Emma made a book that used her camp name, "Artzy" and Mommy made a journal for Analise.  We decided Analise's camp name would be "Chuckles" because she makes us laugh.

 Raising the flag

Emma at my old campsite.  All of the platform tents have been taken down.  A sad day for Mommy.

We rounded out the morning with some archery lessons by the Mary Randall Troop House.  Emma and Mommy got to shoot three arrows each. Mommy hit the target twice and Emma got her arrows very close.  After target practice, we attended lunch of subway sandwiches in the dining hall and then went off to play some field games with friends.  There was a new game we learned where you hit a ball around an octagon and try to jump out of the way before the ball hits your feet.  Biking was in store after some field games.  Emma made her first attempt at riding with no training wheels.  Mommy held onto the bike only enough for Emma to feel what it was like to wobble.  Even though she did well on the trail, riding on the grass proved to be the best way for Emma to learn.  Hopefully we can find a field at home where she can practice.  

Fun new team games

After biking, we read from our Judy Moody story and then returned to the art lodge for some button making.  Mommy made a peanut butter jellyfish button for Ani and Emma made an "Artzy" button for herself.  Once buttons were finished we played a full group mystery game where we had to figure out who stole the dessert that we were supposed to have for dinner.  Each girl got a notebook and had to go from camp leader to camp leader asking them for clues.  In order to get a clue the girls had to sing a song, tell a fact or share some interesting information with the counselor.  Emma and Mommy quickly figured out who the culprit was and even had time to spare.  All of the girls chased after the counselor who did it (it was quite the ambush).  

Artzy making her journals

The evening wrapped up with a spaghetti dinner and brownies.  After helping to clean up dinner, the girls sang a few more camp songs, lowered the flag and said their farewell to friends.  As we headed home Emma drifted off to sleep.  Mommy realized she left her lunch container at the camp as well as some extra snacks she brought.  After parking in the garage, Mommy turned around to look at Emma.  She was completely out and had drool sliding down her chin.  We will have to go again when Analise is old enough to attend the Mommy and me event with us.