First pics from Seth at Camp!

Whew - well that was a long wait for pictures :-)

These pictures from Seth's first meal at camp went up this afternoon.  Seth is sitting with his bunk smiling and singing the birkat (after meal prayer).  

Now we wait for the next pictures!

Off Seth goes....

He is packed and ready to go!!!

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One last hug from his brothers before they get on the bus to camp

After a short hour ride here we are!

First stop - mandatory lice check.....

We are cleared and get to drive to his bunk - #5 to unload

Here we are - Bunk #5 - Seth's home for the next 3 1/2 weeks!

His counselors are confusingly - Max, Max and Seth!

We easily got his stuff inside and unpacked quickly.  He had a lot of room for all his stuff.  We made his bed and got to meet his counselors.  

Of course, Seth had an even bigger smile when his good friend Evan arrived!

Getting our last hugs in...

We went outside and it seemed that Seth was getting ready for us to leave.  Really our last hugs (a few tears from me) and we left him playing with Evan.    

Jerald and I took a quick walk to the lake, took a selfie, had a cup of coffee with parents at a local coffee shop and headed home. 

Packing for Sleep-away Camp

Before and after packing....  I can't believe how much work this was!  Shopping, labeling, and organizing.  The advice we got at the camp orientation was to involve the kids in this process.  It is important that Seth knows what he is bringing.  Great advice - but it took forever!!!!

He better have a great time!

Cuddly's Poem - aka How Seth finally convinced us to take Cuddly to Sleepaway Camp

I was adamant about the fact that Seth's lovey - cuddly would not be going to camp.  Mainly because I didn't want him to be lost.  Two big events changed my mind.  

#1 - Seth discovered in April that there were 2 cuddly's.  Since he was a baby - I would switch cuddly once a week so I could wash it.  As a baby, I didn't want him to know that there was more than one.  I wanted him to love them equally so if we lost one or one was dirty we would stay out of trouble.  I should have told him earlier - but it never came up!  

#2 - Seth wrote an amazing poem about cuddly for school.  About how he wasn't allowed to take him to camp and how he would have to learn to live without him.  How could we not allow him to go!

I will attach the poem later....

Cuddly - farewell!

I hope you come back in one piece.  

Great time!

The verdict is in - - - Ezra and Justin love camp!  They came home tired and dirty - but so happy.  Just the way it should be!  

Ezra made a bunch of new friends - including 2 more Eli's!  Adding to the 4 he went to preschool with + his counselor Eli - we are up to 7 important Eli's in Ezra's life!

Seth and Josh at the Pool

While the little guys are at camp - Seth gets one more trip to the pool with his best buddy Josh, before they go to different camps for July.

Justin & Ezra start day camp

Yea for camp!!!  Justin and Ezra are so excited for Camp!  This is Justin 3rd summer and Ezra's 1st.  There is a lot of our 5 1/2 year old to be responsible for....  his backpack, towel, lunch, water bottle, applying sunscreen, changing after swimming and most importantly.... riding the B-U-S!!!!  Yes this is his first time riding a bus.  I will be thinking of him all day!  I know Justin will look out for him.  I can't wait to hear how it went!!!

Could these guys - be any happier????

Selfie with our boy!

Matilda with Nana

Nana and Justin had such a fun night seeing Matilda the musical.  Thanks Nana!!!!

Ezra visiting Camp

Seth and Justin has both loved their times at Camp Grossman - it is finally time for Ezra!!!  We got to visit his bunk, meet his counselors and go in the lake (even though I didn't pack a bathing suit).  He is really excited.  I hope he will get the stamina to last through the bus ride and make new friends!