Dearest Moms and Dads, and all other PF Followers,
Happy Day to you all. I am writing with a big smile on my face and a happy heart. We just returned from our beautiful camping trip and are awaiting lunch and a shower! We have had a blast with these girls….what troopers they are especially in the heat. Everyone has truly jumped in with both feet and all the new girls are adjusting beautifully. We have not had one shred of homesickness or anything other than getting along beautifully while forming great friendships. It has been a pleasure to be with the girls. Thank you for ‘loaning’ them to us for a week or two. Its been terrific.
On Sunday afternoon after you all left, we did as much quick orientation for the new kiddos as we could squeeze in while the other kids and staff did the barn chores, shortened version. With everyone having passed the swim test with our life guard, we then had them troop off to dinner. Lots of skits had been worked on during the afternoon and we decided to host the Talent Show even though the new kiddos had not had much chance to practice. They got included in the skits that took place and several of them did something fun themselves or with a friend with whom they had arrived. A good time was had by all at the Talent Show which was held under the stars right outside the lodge. It sure is easier to run a summer camp in the sunshine!!!!
Monday dawned bright and beautiful but with predictions of hot temps…So, we all got up and quickly went to try out the horse matches…and organize the girls into riding groups. With only a few ‘newbies’, this was done in jig time and by lunch time everyone was thrilled with her mount and placed in riding groups.
Twenty eight kids signed up for the camping trip on the mountain with the ponies. We divided the group into two sections, one for Monday night and one for Tuesday night. During rest hour, armed with the packing list, the ones for last night packed in good order. With food packed for an army, the ponies selected, and the run down on how to set up tents, off we went. The other half of the kids swam, went on a trail ride, and had more lessons here. I just got home and so don’t have much to report yet as they are all feeding their ponies as I snuck off the write this!
With five ponies leading the way, we loaded into two vehicles with all the gear. Setting up the tents went smoothly with three different teams working on three different tents. Firewood was collected for the evening meal and story time, and then off we set to swim at the mountain pool. The smooth rocks make for a beautiful slide into the cold mountain stream that is crystal clear. It was so fabulously refreshing to have a dip. We all took turns and even slid into the pool by twos and threes…The kids and I worked to make the dam of rocks higher so that the water would rise…It is truly my idea of the right way to spend a leisurely, lovely summer afternoon.
The horses then arrived and we tied them to trees and fed them. They seem to enjoy this change in scenery too. They were good as gold and all got stars in their crowns for not escaping in the middle of the night! One camping trip several years ago woke up in the morning to find no ponies there at all!
Dinner of snacks, chips, baked beans, hot dogs, PB&J sandwiches and many many S’Mores were scarfed down in good stead. Everyone worked together to keep the fire burning bright and hot…Also, everyone was most respectful of the fire so that no one would get burned. What a team of great kids…not one cross word…tear or worry!
Many stories later, and not one of them about ghosts, everyone bedded down in their cozy tents and almost instantly fell asleep. By about 10 o’clock all but two were dead asleep…by 10:01, the last two were quiet. It is pretty easy to get a good night sleep with the stars shining bright, the campfire burning low and the stream rushing past…I might even say it is idyllic.
This morning everyone here at the farm had regular riding lessons…and we woke up on the mountain about 7:30….Eggs, sausage, toast and juice graced our tables in both places…The kids especially love the eggs from chickens they know. I can’t believe how much little girls can eat on a farm. Makes my heart glad…
Lunch is being served, all the bags are unpacked, and the kids are returning from their morning lessons. Someone is being sung a birthday greeting as I conclude…so life is great on the farm and your kids are all being terrific. We will set off again this afternoon for trip #2…and I will write again tomorrow afternoon to hopefully tell you that all are safe and sound. In the meantime, thank you again for lending us your Treasure. We are taking good care of her and having lots of good old TLC all around camp. The weather is great. Everyone feels find and lots of solid friendships are being made with two and four footed critters alike. So life is GRAND.
Thank you again and happy day to you.
Most fondly, Boo
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