8 Kids to Camp

Jojo, Allen, CW, Tony, Paloma, Scotty, Chuy, and Jonathan all leave for church camp this morning. You'd think that'd make my house quiet, but let's not discount the other 17 that'll still be here. I will act however as if I'm on a vacation.

Lily could've gone, but chickened out at being away for 96 hours. Scotty asked to take a picture of me with him, he went last year to camp but is having second thoughts this year, as he's grown significantly more attached to me over the mere 16 months of this adoptive placement.

Tabby is not liking the pile of suitcases and sleeping bags. She wailed last night for Memaw until we told her Memaw isn't even going with this group. As long as Tabby knows that Ray Ray will come over each day I can keep her calm and sane.

Sonny turns 20 this week and I told him I'd take him out one evening while the 8 kids are gone. We might even go see a movie...you know one of them talking pictures? How cool would that be?

Deysi will be 30 this week as well. Next week Jesse turns 24.

After I'd settled everyone in their hyperactive beds last night, CW hiked up to my room complaining he had swimmer's ear, I'm knowing this is really about camp tomorrow. We talked a bit, watched unreality TV (HGTV) where people have gorgeous homes and fabulous kitchens that don't have wild-eyed kids pitching conniption fits over unimaginably moronic non-events. No one riding bikes or in-line skates through the house and down the halls. No bouncing basketballs or kicking soccer balls at siblings...what do these other people do all day?

At Goodwill yesterday we'd looked at a wooden table to replace the one that is only half there since Fabian and Joey's fistfight several months ago. It was sturdy but not really durable enough for a household like ours. Stone tables might be best.

After everyone's chili eating contest the other night, that Vanessa hysterically re-enacted for Deysi, the resulting bathroom events are even funnier. "Mom!! It burns coming out!" is the constant report I'm getting from the frontlines as everyone else giggles, and acts like it won't happen to them. Wonder if I should warn the camp counselors. Besides the comical hollering, the smell is overpowering. "Flush fast," is my remedy.

CW keeps picking tons of these chilis, we'll have jars and jars of them for winter thus feeding into the global warming scenario.

Vnaessa asked me last night if anyone had commented on her Viper Girl transformation this week. "Nope," I'd replied, and seen her visible sigh of relief.

Come on darling, you think these other mamas think a fifteen year old is gonna be perfect? It isn't like we'd failed to graduate from charm school or anything.