Shadow Mountain

Almost as soon as Ethan was out of school he was gone again for Shadow Mountain.  This is a three-day outdoor education camping opportunity that our school district offers students who are about to go into 6th grade.  And he loved it!  Many students have a hard time being away from home for the first time, but Ethan sure didn't!

I'm not sad at all?

They were gone for three days and two nights.  The boys camped, swam, slept in cabins, ate "gruel" (which was oatmeal), enjoyed skits by the counselor, learned all about various "nature stuff" (his words) and hiked.  Ethan was part of the few who joined the ranks of the Polar Bear Cub Club and jumped into a like after a hike.  The water, according to him, was freezing.  Of course, he forgot his towel.

Thankfully for me, I know several of the counselors from my teaching days.  They knew Ethan was coming and kept a special eye on him.  These men and women have known Ethan for years and were excited to see him as a camper.  They honored him with a Mancake.  A special and enormous pancake; Ethan ate half of it.

My friends Melissa and Dave, presenting the Mancake!

Here's Ethan -- ready to dig in :)

As for me?  I was miserable without him.  I couldn't sleep at all the first night he was gone and barely slept the second night.  I was so happy to see him when he came home!

What was Blythe up to while her brother was away?  Why, sneaking into his room of course:

What? You mean I can't be in here?

We were all happy to have him home.  And just a couple days after he did come home, we left for our family vacation to Disneyland!  What a whirlwind.