Yesterday was Elana's first day of camp. She has been going to the same babysitter for almost two years and she was getting a bit too old and active for the place, so we decided to sign her up for one of Pikesville's many backyard camps. These camps are run by local H.S./Seminary girls, out of their parents' homes. They're not always the most professional endeavors, but the price is right.
We were really nervous about how Elana would handle the first day of camp. We had talked it up a lot for about a month before she actually went and bought her many new things especially for the experience (new bathing suit, swimming diapers, a backpack, sunglasses...), but we were unsure how she would handle the adjustment.
I took her to the camp for her first day. She was talking excitedly the whole way there, but when we got to the front door she refused to walk over the threshold and the fear in her eyes was palpable. I ended up staying for 20 minutes to get her a little oriented and then left her crying with the head counselor, Aviva.
The rest of the morning was pretty nerve-wracking as we waited at home for the phone call that would ask us to pick up our daughter because she was so distraught and crying so much that she threw up (apparently this is a real family trait, as her aunt used to do the same when she was a little girl). But 1 o'clock rolled around and the phone call never came! Our little girl is all growed up.
Of course, when we picked her up from camp she was in a great mood (not only because she was eating) and elated to see me. We all got in the car and went for ice cream and then came home for a nap (she slept for 3 hours).
We're about to leave for day #2.
Comments
May she continue to enjoy and thrive in her new experience.
Love to all of you,
MOM