Camp Mom is minus one this week. Yesterday we sent our oldest off to church camp on her own for the very first time. She invited a friend and the two of them hiked away with a large group of campers in the afternoon.
We went to the Technical Museum today. The kids had a great time. It is a special place for my son. His favorite thing is the 100 year old Locomotive. He calls it Grandpa Pete like the Steam Locomotive on Chuggington. This one displays how they worked and actually moves each day. I love watching my son look up at it. So large yet he still talks to it like they are old friends.
Today baby girl was awake and out of the stroller, able to play for the first time. She had a blast. She spent the majority of her time looking through the glass floors on the upper level in the kids section. I think she liked looking down at the flashing lights on the fire truck below. I could be totally wrong. It could be her inner super hero that enjoyed it because of that “I’m flying feeling” you get when you are up high looking straight down on the world.
I always enjoy our visits there, and since my oldest is gone I can see us taking another trip there later in the week.
Before the weekend I said I had a surprise. Now is the time for the big reveal. My parents are coming on Thursday. That is no surprise. My mom is about 2 weeks out from her final treatment for breast cancer. They are hoping on a plane Wednesday to come and join us on vacation next week. The exciting news is that my brother is coming with them. He has never been to visit us. HE is the surprise. My oldest has no idea that when she returns from camp her grandparents AND uncle will be here. As far as she knows he doesn’t even have a passport. I am overjoyed whenever I think about her face when she sees him. It will be surreal. A few years ago at Christmas we surprised the kids with my parents coming to celebrate with us. We acted for about 6 months normal. We had a normal morning my husband ran an errand {to pick them up} came home we were all around the table talking about who the kids would want to invite for Christmas. Then there was a knock on the door. We asked the kids if they wanted to get it. My daughter stood there and stared in SILENCE. She said she thought someone was playing a trick, sending people dressed up like her grandparents. My son who was 1 and is more introverted was the first to greet them. To this day, my daughter says that was one of the best moments of her life. How could I resist trying to pull that off again?
My son can’t imagine the possibility that my brother wouldn’t come. He had a dream my brother was here one day. This was the moment that actually made it possible. He asked my brother on Skype to come. It worked. For the first time in 5 years he was able to get off from work (he is a sports reporter for ESPN) and actually come to visit. He got his passport, international driver license etc… unbeknownst to my eldest. I have muted Skype and been quick on my feet many times to keep it a secret. Now she is gone and for a few days I can just enjoy knowing it is really happening. I have tried to throw my little guy off. There is really no point. I will say are you excited your grandparents are coming? He always says yes and my uncle too. I will say “Why would you think he is coming too?” He responds each time. “I know he is, he has to because he is my friend.” So cute. We never acknowledge it so I hope he is a little surprised anyways.
Well there you have it! The secret is out and you are all caught up on what we are up to around here. I hope your week is off to a great start!
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