EIBC Family Camp 2008

We had another great week at East Iowa Bible Camp. Glen was only able to be there for one day, but the boys got lots of rides on the tire swing before he left. I was glad he trusted me to leave me with the camper and the kids alone, after I broke the faucet the last time. I am happy to say that neither the kids nor I broke any part of the camper (that I know of).

Britta got right to work on her cardboard boat--she had it all done by Tuesday. She had cut out wings and a tail which eventually came off because we had to store the boat in the back of the van so it wouldn't be out in the dew and rain for 3 days before the race. I tried to tell her to wait until Friday to tape them on (they really looked cute), but what does Mom know? By the way, that's paint on her leg. It made me nervous the first time I saw it.Both Tate and Chase had fun playing in the sand volleyball pit. In this picture, Chase is playing with a little boy named Curran. He was in the boys' class, and his dad is serving in Iraq. Tate prays for him every night. Chase became a little infamous at camp for peeing wherever he wanted to. I was horrified the first time I saw him do it and rushed to help him pull up his pants (he doesn't think he can do it on his own). I told him camp was not like our yard, but nonetheless he did it again two days later. I thought that was the end of it, BUT . . . I had left Chase alone at the volleyball court for a short time while I looked for Tate (who was not where he told me he would be). Chase was still playing in the sand when I came back, but I found out later that day that he had peed in the grass again and was standing there yelling, "Mom! Mom!" One of the staff members happened along and graciously helped him with his pants. She told me that she asked him why he didn't go to the bath house (which was 20 feet away), and he told her he didn't need to. :)
The kids all had a lot of fun in the pool. Sammy told me she liked to think of herself as the "underwater trickster." Here is an example of one of her somersaults:
Tate and Britta spent much of their pool time going off the diving board. We got Tate a pair of prescription goggles before we left. They were only $33! I had never even looked into them because I figured they'd be too expensive. The look on his face when I told him he would be able to see while he was swimming was priceless. Mom came to visit for one day/night. Chase had fun with her in the pool, and Tate got to swim around without his life jacket while Grandma was there to watch him.I spent a lot of time watching the boys ride the go-karts. They were also the winners of their age division in the Deep River 500 on Friday night (it was a team race--one lap each, and they beat one other team). I did not participate. :) Britta made a great pass in her heat, but her team didn't make it to the finals.

The boys were thrilled to be in Miss Candy's class. Their theme was "Fit for Jesus." I usually tried to ask them what they learned each day, and Tate usually had a little gem to share with me, such as, "Eggplants and watermelon are good for you. It's OK to kick the devil. Bad things weigh you down, but happy thoughts make you feel as light as a feather." :) Miss Candy always gave them a glow necklace or bracelet to play with after chapel each night, and she made all the kids matching t-shirts to wear when they sang for the adults on Thursday night. The boys didn't complain once about going to "little boy chapel," as Chase liked to call it.

If you're wondering about the tape on Chase's glasses, he likes to push them down and look over them. We're planning to get new frames that are rounder so that he won't be able to do this, but his prescription might change soon, so we're waiting until then to get the new frames. The tape is working for the meantime.
Sammy was the Bible Drill mid-week champion for her age group! Britta didn't get to do Bible drills this year since she was the champ of champs last year, so she was a little bummed. Sammy ended up being 3rd in champ of champs at the end of the week. She was so pleased!Britta and Sammy spent a lot of time with friends they've made in past years, working on cardboard boats, hanging out on the tire swing, and playing carpetball in the barn. The kids enthusiastically participated in a lot of the organized activities. Chase and Tate were both riders in the mattress relay. I didn't even try to get Chase to take a nap until Thursday, and then he took a good one.
Sammy and her friend Brooke worked together on their boat. I helped some. Sammy was upset at me for a while because neither Brooke's mom or I would let them work with a box cutter. And I insisted on being around when they were spray painting--can you believe it? They did not win their heat, but they did make it across the lake without sinking. Britta abandoned ship halfway across the lake when the Dragon started taking on water. Camp is truly such a vacation. It is wonderful to get away from the daily responsibilities, have fun, chat with old friends, watch your kids enjoy themselves and make/renew friendships, participate in worship and receive wonderful teaching. The Bible teacher and missionary speaker were both excellent, and the kids loved their classes as well. They served the meals family-style this year, which made it so easy. It always takes me a little while after we get home to be motivated to plan meals and cook. It's hard to really put into words how much camp means to me without sounding too much like my mom. :) She loves camp, too.