On Monday, I sent Gillian to Girls' Camp, and with her my heart. Gillian turns 12 soon, and that means she gets to start attending Young Women organization (ages 12-18). The Young Women organization of each Stake all over the world, but especially in the United States, plans a week of activities for the girls of their Stake each summer. The volunteer leaders take a week off their lives, and plan and lead these girls in activities that strengthen them physically and spiritually. I have been planning to be a leader when Gillian got to go since this sweetheart of mine was born; alas, being pregnant ruled that out, and with tears in my eyes I sent my daughter to have adventures for a week without me. I had been looking forward to share this milestone event with her, and so my heart bled when I had to let her go. They left on Monday and returned on Saturday; they drove to a beautiful area of California, near Yosemite Park, slept in sleeping bags on the ground and under the stars, woke up early every morning, did chores, helped each other, swam a mile or so each day, tried their hand in archery, did the polar bear swim at 6 in the morning, sang songs (silly ones and fun ones), made friends, hiked 4 miles at a time, did crafts, walked on one rope bridges, learned about the gospel, shared their testimonies, and came home so grown up from those experiences that even now I can't stop crying. My girl is growing to be such a beautiful and spiritual young lady! What a blessing!!
On Tuesday, a couple of my friends and I decided to have a relaxing evening by attending an art class at a restaurant. It has been a trend for about three years now that restaurant owners hire an art instructor to share pointers on how to paint to customers, while the customers themselves enjoy eating, drinking, chatting, and painting. We pay a small fee for the instructor, and for any food or drink we want. My friend Jennifer treated me this evening; she had been wanting to do something special for me, and knowing how much I enjoy art, she organized this evening for us. I didn't know if I would enjoy doing art with a bunch of strangers around me, but it turned out to be a very relaxing and entertaining outing. Who said pregnant women can't have fun!
On Wednesday, the weather felt a bit cool, so I decided to take my restless boys to their favorite place - Adventure Playground, in Berkeley. They've missed their sister terribly, and as a result I have too. It seems that Gillian's imagination really makes them have a lot of fun. Well, since I can't be Gillian, I though sawing and hammering would be a good substitute. They really had fun playing with each other, making wooden swords and machine guns (what else, right?), and painting their creations. My kids were surprised when I gave them some pointers on how to make a steady sword and how to paint faster and better. As if I was never a child! I'm glad, however, that they don't see me now as someone who only loves to read. I was one of the boys in this outing :)
After they were done playing and creating, I suggested they tried their weapons out by the marina where I could read, feeling the bay's refreshing breeze, and they could play being the three musketeers. They liked my plan.
Thursday is our play date day, and so we invited my boys' best friends to eat lunch with us and play a few old fashioned games. I had told the boys that although computer games is a huge attraction and a common play date game, they were to have none of it that day. I wanted them to see that life can be fun even without computer games. Of course, my kids don't play computers more than once a week, but it seems everywhere they go to play that's all their friends want to do. I love technology, but as with everything else, there should be a balance. The boys truly had a lot of fun playing board games, legos, sports outside (running, biking, jumping on the trampoline), and throwing cushions at each other (a favorite that lasted for more than an hour). These kids played for about six hours with each other, and no second of those hours was dedicated to computer games. It can be done!
On Friday, the weather was so hot and stuffy that I couldn't stay home a minute longer. The boys were leaving with Elijah for a Father and Son camp out, so I had them clean the car and pack first, and then went to the pool. My mother played ball with the older boys, while Charlton and I relaxed in the cool water. I found these really awesome pool float beds that have mesh instead of plastic for the body. That allows for the water to come through and keep you cool. Perfect floaty for a pregnant woman!
After the boys left for their camp out, my mother and I went shopping, ate out, and enjoyed watching Edge of Tomorrow. When we got home, I could honestly say that all of that cleaning, packing, swimming, and having fun had wiped me out. Straight to bed for Melita, not even a moment of book reading.
On Saturday, the boys came back from camping, excited to have their sister back home as well. They told me all about their adventures, my favorite being Charlton's camp out tradition of having dad read to him stories of Paddignton Bear. He never reads that book anytime of the year, except in the Father and Son camp out. Just adorable!
Gillian's return was a bit later, so the boys helped clean up, and Elijah and mom helped me make Gillian's room (which is our combined guest room and food storage room, my mom having taken over Gillian's room upstairs) a bit special by applying a funky wall paper on one wall, and adding a few curtains to the room to give it color and cover the food. I also put some extra touches by placing a couple of art pieces around her room. I think she loved my surprise, and I loved having my sweet daughter back!
Later on, after Gillian had told us all about her camp experience, I retired for some needed rest, and Gillian played with Charlton. As for the boys, they had been beggin us to give them some ideas on how to make some extra money - they had their hearts set on these particular swords, and since Elijah and I do not buy them toys just because, they were looking for ways to make money to purchase them. Elijah and I decided that washing, vacuuming and cleaning my car, as well as cleaning the lawn from rocks, trash, or leaves, would be good chores to earn money. And earn they did! My car and our lawn looked absolutely clean. Very proud of these hard working boys!
In the evening, we decided to celebrate hard work, Gillian's return, and our being back together as a family by enjoying some ice cream. My kids are so easily pleased, and I think that is a wonderful thing.
Sunday was Gillian's last time attending Primary, and she delivered her last talk. Next week she turns 12! She is ready and happy for the next stage in her life.
