My two youngest recently spent two weeks in summer camp. For Eilis, this was old hat – she’s been there, had fun, made friends, and got over being homesick. For Granuaile, who just turned nine in the spring, this was her first overnight camp experience. She was excited, not at all anxious or worried, and totally thrilled with the prospect of being “on her own” for two whole weeks. As the youngest, it was her first big thing to do without an older sister’s shadow to stand in.
I probably cried more than I should. I worried over what I was sending for care packages, hoping not to make her miss home or me and her dad more than she might. Then the most amazing box showed up on our doorstep!
Have you heard of the Happy’s? Remember Zhu-Zhu pets from a few years back – the hamsters and their toys that were quite the rage? Well the Happy’s are bigger – and WAY better versions of the Zhu-Zhu pets. There are cuddly little dogs and sweetie pie kittens. They chase balls and play with toys – just like real pets, only without the real mess. And kids Granuaile’s age LOVE them. Okay, kids my age love them too. They’re so sweet. But this package contained two of The Happy’s, which earned this box the title of The Most Wicked Awesome Care Package at Camp!
Also included in the care package were some delicious snacks. Granuaile got to share the always popular Fruit Roll-ups, printed M&Ms, and Pepperidge Farm Goldfish crackers with her bunk-mates (I wonder if this had anything to do with her status as most popular in her bunk?), and the box included some activities which came in VERY handy on the night the kids were ushered to the bathrooms during a tornado warning! Thank goodness for the things in the box like the Crayola crayons and Fuzzy Sticks – they gave the young campers activities to do while they were hunkering down against the storm.
Thank you so much to BSM Media, Maria Bailey, and Melanie Yerman for delivering this incredible box of goodies to Granuaile. It was the highlight of her two weeks at camp!
*Disclosure – Items discussed in this blog post were sent to us complimentary and were reviewed for the purposes of this blog.
The conference speakers gave awesome tips on making the most of your mobile phone by using it for video, making sure you tell a story, and even being the best you that you can be. The most powerful message, however, came from Maria Bailey of BSM Media and Mom Talk Radio. She encouraged us to look our children in the whites of their eyes when we speak to them, and I have to admit, as a mom who works, goes to school, and manages a house, I’m usually talking to my kids while doing something (okay, a few somethings) else. We need to take that time, connect with them, let them know we are there, present, and attending to them. These, after all, are the greatest thing we will ever create – no matter how creative we are. Love this message.
