Memorial Day Weekend

A little over a month ago as we were running to soccer practice or guard practice or someone's birthday party, Owen said "I need to go to the beach." (Don't we all?) We already had plans to go to Washington, DC for our big vacation this year, but Owen isn't one to ask for much so a plan was born. We'd take several days during the week of Daniel's birthday (in July) and get away to the coast before school and the chaos started again. Great!
THEN, not so great. Sara made color guard and we learned that she'd have camp that week. Guard or the beach? That's not a fair choice to have to make so scratch that plan and make a new one. How 'bout Memorial Day Weekend? Nothing on the calendar. Really? Not a thing. A quick visit to the handy dandy internet to book a place to stay and a new plan was born.
Daniel took Friday off work and got us all packed so that by the time I got home, we were ready to go.
Aside from a horrendous traffic jam on I-20 on our trip there, we had a relaxing trip. We swam, played on the beach, lounged by the pool, played putt-putt, did a little shopping, and ate some seafood. My favorite part was not having ANYTHING scheduled. Our lives have been so hectic and so schedule-driven this school year that it was nice to have the only requirement be to be home by sundown on Monday.

One Era Ends and Another One Begins

The end of this school year brings some mixed feelings for us. Of course the kids and I are really excited about being out of school for the summer. However, the end of school this year also means the end of the Reidville Elementary School years (see the pictures above from Owen's last day). As Owen leaves Reidville this year so do we all leave this place that's been a huge part of our lives for the last 8 years. I always say that Reidville Elementary is the happiest school on earth. I've never been there that I wasn't greeted by a smiling face. Not only that, everyone on staff (teachers, the principal, even the custodian) knows my children by name and always has something positive to say about them. That would make any parent's day, but it's not just my kids. They treat every family the same way. Friendly is great, but what about academics? Also first-rate. Owen and Sara were challenged daily and celebrated when they achieved success. Reidville has done a wonderful job with my children. They both got a great start there and for that I will be forever grateful. We'll miss you Reidville, but don't fret, we're sending one of the Hollis cousins your way this fall. :-)

But, as the title reads, a new era is beginning for the Camps - the band years. Both Owen and Sara are going to be participating in our award-winning band program this fall. Sara was ecstatic to make the Byrnes Winterguard this past winter and they had a great season placing 3rd at the Championships at WCU. Last week she participated in the auditions for this fall's Rebel Regiment Color Guard and made it! We knew her experience on winterguard would be helpful at try-outs, but we also knew that not many 8th graders make the marching guard (5 of them made it this year and that's a new record).
She is thrilled to be marching at the football games this fall, but not as excited about the many weeks of band camp this summer. (It'll be lots of fun; she just doesn't know it yet.) However, she's ready for it and she's earned her spot. We're so proud of her! So come on out on a Friday night this fall and see her take the field!
As exciting as that is, that's not the full extent of our upcoming band experience. Owen enters intermediate school this fall and has the opportunity to play an instrument in band class. He has chosen the trombone and he's looking forward to getting started. Who knows? Maybe someday they'll take the field together.

Owen's birthday

Owen is 10?!!!! Yes, he and Spongebob Squarepants apparently both came into the world during the same week and the world hasn't been the same since! Spongebob had a marathon of episodes on TV to celebrate and Owen had a birthday party at home. After a morning of playing soccer, he invited friends, family, and neighbors over for an afternoon of playing more ball (soccer, kick ball, and baseball) in the front yard. The kids (and Daniel) divided themselves into teams and had a great time playing in the front yard. The rest of us played the part of the devoted fans. After the party, we went to one of his favorite restaurants, Five Guys Burgers and Fries, for dinner.

He's certainly come a long way in those ten years.

Remember before he could walk? He'd crawl down the hall chasing Lucy and when he'd catch her he'd put his ear on her side so he could listen to her purr. Then, he'd lift his head and his sticky face would be covered with fur! He still loves that cat. Thankfully, he's gotten past the sticky, furry face.

Remember when he would only eat his food at room temperature? We had to put his plate in the freezer for a few minutes to cool everything off so he'd eat it. He's getting better at trying new things - this spring he's added cereal with milk and bologna and cheese sandwiches to his list of things he likes. I am still holding out for the day when he finally says those magic words to me "Can I have a salad?"

Remember when he always called Sara "Sissy"? I think that's what I miss the most about his younger days. He idolized her - he wanted to be a big kid just like "Sissy". Now that he's older, he still thinks Sara is alright. I can see it when they play outside together and think no one is watching them. But, more and more, he's stepping into his own and refusing to let her lead him. The arguments are more numerous - still never serious - because he still doesn't like being the "little kid".

Happy Birthday to Owen and SpongeBob - two guys who have brought us smiles, laughter, and crazy dance moves over the past ten years.

Sara's trip to the Big Apple

With much hestitation on our parts and much excitement on her part, Sara went on the 7th grade class trip to New York in April. The students left on a Tuesday on charter buses for the Big Apple. They toured Ground Zero, the Empire State Building, and Times Square. They saw the Statue of Liberty from a distance and as you can see, Sara even made a new friend! They stopped at Kings Dominion Theme Park on Saturday and returned home at midnight. She was exhausted and in need of some good ol' Southern home cookin', but she had a great time. She said her favorite part was bargaining with the street vendors (that's my girl!). We missed her bunches! Our house was terribly quiet without her; she's the life of our party!

Sara's birthday

I can't believe how quickly time passes. Sara became a teenager this April. She's grown from my little peanut to my favorite partner in crime. Gone are the Barbies, sippy cups of "Rugrat Juice", and the constantly running Disney movies on the VCR. In their place now, we have an iPod and a cell phone, countless bottles of Vitamin Water, and constantly running episodes of "America's Next Top Model" and "Gossip Girl". I do miss those days of my sweet little princess peanut, but now she's become someone just as special to me - one who loves to shop with me, shares private jokes and knowing glances, and thinks watching "The Mentalist" and "The Young and the Restless" together is fun.

She celebrated her big day in style. She had a couple of friends stay over for the night. They had pizza, went out for ice cream, and giggled the night away - sounds like my teenage days. Some things don't change much even with the passage of decades. The whole family came over for a cookout the next day. We had burgers and chips and of course, cake! The weather held out and it was a good day for a party.