The Happy Camper

When I learned in the fall that the kids’ school was planning a two night overnight trip for the second and third graders, I couldn’t believe it.  So young!  My first overnight school trip was in the fifth grade, and even then I felt homesick.  But, as I have demonstrated before, things happen differently in Spain—it’s not uncommon for kids as young as three to go on these trips, and Milo’s kindergarten class will be taking a one night trip in late May.

C.C. has spent the night with grandparents before, but has never even had a sleepover with a friend.  But ultimately, I chose not to voice my maternal anxiety to C.C. and let her decide for herself.  Once she heard about the trip, there was no question in her mind; she wanted to go.

So we spent some time together on Sunday packing her flashlight and sleeping bag, disposable camera and Mack, the stuffed dog she had chosen to bring as a snuggle buddy.  She picked out her own clothes—her knight pajamas, of course, a tie dye shirt, a t-shirt illustrating Egyptian hieroglyphics, and her favorite—a super comfy Guns ‘N Roses t-shirt that rose in value once she learned that one of her teachers used to be a chearleader and performed a routine to Welcome to the Jungle.  We talked about what it would be like, and she said, “Mama, I could use a mental image of where I’m going.”  So we spent some time checking out the website, which made everything look super fun.

She told me she was a little scared and worried that she’d miss us a lot, especially at night.  She wanted to be sure I’d walk her to her classroom on Monday morning before the bus left and that I’d be there today to meet the bus when it arrived.  But when I left, she was sitting in a circle in her classroom with the other kids, buzzing with excitement.  Alec and I planted several love notes in her suitcase after she went to bed on Sunday night.

After her first night away, we asked Milo whether he missed his sister.  “Not really,” he replied as he dug into his pancakes.  I think he enjoyed the extra attention, and it was lovely to be able to focus on him for a couple of days.  Not to mention how much easier it is to have one instead of 2!  It’s been so long, I had forgotten.  Alec picked him up on Monday after school and they played ping pong in a local park.  And when I picked him up yesterday, I brought him to my office for awhile—I had a meeting, but he also feels important when he is there—and then we went for a good walk together on the Carretera de les Aigues.

This morning at breakfast, Alec asked: “Who misses C.C.?”  and we all raised our hands, even Milo.  I couldn’t wait to pick her up today.  C.C. appeared in the jumble of kids pulling their suitcases up the hill, exhausted but happy.  She looked bigger than she did when I left her on Monday.  She had a great time.  I am so proud of her for being the brave little Pirate that she is, and going off like that.  And I’m really glad she’s back.  If she ever decides to go to summer camp, I’ll be a mess!