Dance Recitals, Camp Outs and City Kids

May whizzed by with all of the weekend activities. First was the dance recital mid-May. Marcie was in 3 dances, only 1 of which was in the first act. My nieces were also in 3 dances and their 3rd dance was the finale! So, we were there late each night. It was okay, really, because I enjoyed it and I think my other 3 kids enjoyed it, as well. Marcie was terrific -- she really enjoyed being with her friends and flitting around as though she had been doing that for many more than the 4 years she's been involved in dance. (Wow, can't believe it's been 4 years!). My nieces also danced well. They are so beautiful and among the sweetest little girls in the whole world! The very next weekend, she had another dance competition and the boys had a Royal Rangers camp-out. Charlie went on Friday night to camp until Sunday. Kyle was too young but they had a Ranger Kids field day on Saturday, so we went to that. It was so hot and at first, I didn't think we would make it for the day. I had planned to just drop him off but the medical person who would have checked his blood sugars and given him insulin via his insulin pump was not there. He had gone to the hospital with someone else the night before (an adult leader) and hadn't yet returned, though, I was assured he was on his way back. Kyle wanted me to stay and Charlie did, too, so much to Marcie's chagrin, we stayed. We all ended up having a great time and even Marcie put her DS away several times to play a few games. The funniest part of the whole day, though, was during lunch. They had hot dogs (grilled) with buns and condiments, chips, drinks and desert cakes and cookies (prepackaged kind). This was the kind of meal my kids love but there was just one problem -- no tables. Who would you expect would be the most finicky about sitting on the ground? Marcie -- right? Well, no, she got her plate, plopped down and started eating (rare for her because of the medicine she takes -- she usually has no appetite for lunch). She ate a whole hot dog! I think she was just really happy with a canned soda. Anyway, Charlie also sat right down. Joanna needed some encouragement but she finally sat on the ground. Kyle, however, would have no part of it. Surprisingly enough, he did not want to put either his hindparts or his food on the ground. So, a friend who was there with his son put out a large, green trash bag for his son and Kyle to sit on. I chuckled about that for hours. Who would've thought that my youngest son, all boy, would be too finicky to sit on the ground?

The next day was Marcie's dance competition. The kids were really tired and Kyle clearly didn't want to be there. In the morning, Marcie did the first 2 of her dances and I was able to see them. Her ballet took 2nd and her tap dance took 1st place for points scored in her division! I left her there and went to pick Charlie up from camp. Then, we went back. They were thrilled to be able to eat at the corner Subway, but not so thrilled to be spending the remainder of the afternoon watching the competition. Marcie's other dance wasn't until around 6 in the evening. Even Joanna got a little restless but Kyle was just beside himself and could barely hold it together by later in the day. Charlie fell asleep leaning up against me ... imagine the scent of a boy who's been on a camp-out for 2 nights with no bathing facilities. Hmmm... we survived, and Marcie's Rhythm of the Night dance took 3rd place! She was so grouchy after that so I was glad to be home and get my exhausted children bathed and in bed. They were asleep not long after their little heads hit the pillow. Sweet!