10 Down, 1 To Go

This week was definitely a less stressful week all together. Both my work week and after hours week were great, but my weekend was a little bit of a let down. I can’t believe that it’s less than a week until I come home.

This week I split my time between the older and the younger kids at camp. Monday and Thursday I was in Jurassic camp with the younger kids where we made excavation hats and dug for gems and fossils. On Tuesday I went with the older kids on their field trip to the water park. We got stuck in traffic on the way there so the kids only had a few hours to enjoy the water park, and due to various rules, I wasn’t able to enjoy it with them. I wasn’t allowed to wear a swimsuit and was only their to escort the kids to and from the slides. Nonetheless, I always enjoy whatever time I can spend with my kiddos! Wednesday and Friday I was in archery camp with the older kids trying to improve my shooting skills. I haven’t shot since I was like twelve so it was fun to try it again! We took our last trips to the pool this week and I went with the older kids on Thursday.

Since the kids going into middle school will be attending the Youth Center next year, their last week of camp is spent over there trying to transition. Similarly, the kindergarteners who will be going to SAC next year spend their final week with us, trying to transition in. With all the changes happening the last week, we wanted to celebrate with the group of kids we had been with all summer before the moved on. On Friday we had our end of the year party that we call Desserfest where the kids performed in front of their parents and then we all got to eat yummy delicious treats after (and yes, these are the exact words I used to bribe my kids to practice). Our Desserfest was Dr. Seuss themed and we spent all week preparing decorations, skits, blitz songs (the camp songs we sing at the beginning of the day), learning a dance, and practicing the closing songs we do at the end of every day. The kids did so amazing and I was so proud of all the hard work they put in this week. Seeing them perform definitely made it sink in that I have to leave them soon. I am going to miss them so much!

Our week was pretty calm outside of work. I wasn’t feeling the best after work on Tuesday so I didn’t end up going to tacos. Wednesday we went to the bowling alley, but only ended up hanging out and didn’t actually bowl. Thursday night we also went to the bowling alley, but this time it was with all of the Camp A staff before four of our early arrivals left us for the summer. Most of my nights this week were spent working on homework, packing, and writing “plane letters” for my friends to read on their way back home!

Friday night all the SAC staff went out for a nice last dinner. I know I’ve said it a bunch before but I got so lucky with the staff I was placed with this summer. I am so glad we were able to do one last thing all together. Saturday morning our plan was a second attempt at Switzerland but unfortunately, we were unsuccessful once again. We called four times in fifteen minutes for a taxi but there were none available and by that point, we were no longer going to make our train. We were super bummed to not have any weekend plans (not to mention the money we lost out on) but we did our best to enjoy our weekend anyway. After missing our train we went back to sleep and finally got some good sleep which was must needed. We spent the rest of our Saturday planning and making tattoo appointments for the following week! Sunday was another relaxing day with not a lot to do. We had a “fam breakfast” for the last time and then spent most of the afternoon packing. After we finished packing we went shopping for one last time at the mall just off base and went to the American restaurant for dinner. Even though it wasn’t the weekend I wanted, I’m glad I was able to spend one final weekend with the girls that I will now call my “forever friends”.

I can’t believe everything is winding down now. It still feels a little surreal to think about leaving but I’m ready for this adventure to end and to be back home with friends and family.

Here’s to one final week in Italy!