Sunday, July 27, 2008

Camp Memories

Yesterday, I picked up three girls that wished camp wasn't over.  I am so glad they had such a wonderful time.  They have hardly stopped talking about it since they got home.  Here are some things they want to share:

Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times was amazing. We met incredible friends, did fun things, and had good food.  We did things that varied from fishing, to sleeping under the stars on teepee night, to dressing up as men one night. And it was funny because the guy cabin next to us said, "hey guys, " then they looked closer and were like, "Whoa, those are chics!" It was funny.  
Of course, all I caught was a duck. Yes, I said duck. The duck tried to take my bait and it would not let go of my fishing line.  We also got to ride horses.  And I always love being up in the mountains!  This camp was near Idyllwild, where we visited our friends Mark and Laurie last winter.  It was beautiful there.           
It is good to be home, but I am still camp-sick. I miss my cabin family. The photo below shows my cabin family, which included Megan. I can't wait till winter session. 
   -Kelly


Here is Shannon's story:
Camp was so much fun. I wish I could go back and play more games with my cabin family.  One time when we were playing games outside, it started hailing, even though it was summer.  It was so cool, since I don't ever remember seeing hail before.  I liked catching minnows in the pond.  One of my favorite things to do was horseback riding.  I really liked my horse, Pokey. I got to feed the horses carrots and I got to take off Pokey's saddle.  As you can see below, I caught a fish, but it was an accident.  One of my friends gave my their fishing rod to hold so she could go get water.  I was kind of spacing out as I held the rod, and the hook fell into the water.  A fish grabbed on and I caught it! I don't like catching fish though because I don't like seeing them on the hook.  So after that, I just stuck to catching minnows with a net and then releasing them back into the water. Everyday we also got to go swimming in the pool.  My favorite memory was the dance because I love dancing. I really miss my friends and counselors.  I wish I was back at camp.
   ~Shannon
Thanks to Camp Ronald McDonald for providing this wonderful camp experience for these pediatric oncology patients and their siblings.  These are truly memories that will last forever.  Even Megan, who I always worry about how she handles having a twin sister with cancer came home and said, "We really were like a big family.  And it was so nice because everybody understands what it is like to deal with cancer. Everyone just gets it."

And summer fun is not over yet.  Remember how Kelly picked a Disney Caribbean Cruise as her Make A Wish?  Well, we are leaving this Saturday!  Kevin is flying home Friday night to go with us, then we fly to Florida early Saturday morning.  We get on the ship Sunday morning. And somewhere in Florida, we have to find a bookstore so Kelly can get the latest Stephanie Meyer book in the Twilight Series that she has been so eagerly anticipating.  She has read the first three books in the series countless times. The fourth book, Breaking Dawn, is being released Saturday.

  So like they have been doing all summer, the girls are unpacking, getting laundry done, and repacking their suitcases. Of course,  Megan and Shannon will squeeze in as many dance classes as they can this week while they are home. What an amazing summer we are having! After last spending most of last summer at the hospital, we really appreciate this fun summer this year.  We don't take this for granted anymore! Tomorrow night is Kelly's  "Wish" Party where we get all the details for our trip.
Kelly does have chemo on Wednesday, so hopefully she will recover in time to feel good for our flight Saturday morning.  Send your good thoughts and prayers her way to have a quick recovery this week from chemo!

10 comments:

Gabby's Mom said...

Hi Kellly, Kathy, Shannon and Megan - I am glad each of you had such a nice week! The cruise sounds wonderful and it was great to read your Dad will be going also. I am sure you will be able to find your book though it would have helped if it came out on Tuesday like all of the other books :)

Hugs,
Pat

Tracy said...

Hi Kath, Kelly, Megan & Shannon!

So glad to hear how fun & special camp was for everybody! Sounds like part of a perfect summer! Now thre's just getting through chemo, Kelly, so you can all have a blast on your cruise!! I will pray for an easy as possible chemo day and recovery!!

Kelly, have you reserved a copy of Breaking Dawn? I don't know if that would make it any easier to pick up in FL or not?? Happy reading!

Love you guys - hugs all around!
Aunt Tracy

Anonymous said...

Hi Kelly,

I'm glad you had fun at camp. Your duck story reminds me of a story a Danish friend told me. He had an uncle who liked to play golf. So, one Saturday, my friend's uncle was out on the golf course and he hit a long drive. He watched the golf ball go way up in the air. Then something really unexpected happened. A duck dropped out of the sky, dead. The police were called, and my friend's uncle was given a ticket for hunting without a license AND out of season. The duck and his golf bag were seized, and he had to go to court. The judge had a good laugh and returbed his clubs.

Have a lovely cruise.

Henry

Gabby's Mom said...

Back again to say - wow, what a good excuse to buy a Kindle! My sister had one and brought it to the Ocean. Pretty neat though I am still not sure how I feel about not actually having paper in my hands....

Anonymous said...

Oh How AWESOME! I am so glad to hear that camp was great! I keep thinking of Kasey right now wondering if his camping experience is just as wonderful. I am completely jealous of the whole family right now! A Cruise!!! WOW, I want to go too! I can't wait to hear how that goes, your going to have fun fun fun! And back to Florida you go, you just got home!
Have fun and don't worry about us little people that can't go with you.
Have a good week and may chemo go by unnoticed.
Hugs,
Amy.... Kasey's mom

Aunt Jenny & Uncle Bob, Kylie and Ryan ie & Ryan said...

Hello!

Glad everyone had a great week at camp!

I happen to live somewhere in Florida near two bookstores!! I can reserve a copy of Breaking Dawn for Kelly at our Borders or Barnes and Noble and pick it up on Saturday morning--not sure if I'll go there at midnight for their big party, but I'll be sure to swing by there at some point before you arrive! Just let me know!

Kelly, we will be sending good thoughts and prayers your way for an easy chemo day on Wednesday!

Love to all,

Aunt Jenny

Catalina Eddy said...

I fish for hours and have nothing to show for it, while Shannon catches fish by accident.
Kelly caught a duck. I also caught a duck. When I was about fifteen, I was walking beside a creek with a friend at twilight when a duck flew into my head. He was stunned on the ground and I could have made him my dinner, but I let him go with a warning.

Hi, I'm Hannah! said...

WOW! It sounds like camp was great, and now you're all going on the Disney Cruise...did I say WOW?? I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time. We just got back from Disney, and although it's exhausting...it's so muc fun too!

Have a great time and we can't wait to read about it when you get back!

Love from NY
Kim and team Hannah
www.hannahpro.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Kelly, I hope you and your family have a wonderful cruise with Disney. My son and his family went two years ago and the kids still talk about it. I think Disney knows how to do it right. I have been following your site and you are in my thoughts and prayers, as is your family. I hope this session of chemo is not a rough one for you. I will be anxious to hear what you think of the cruise. Happy sailing!
Bon voyage, Marilyn

Anonymous said...

Your daughter is just a doll!!! Your in my thoughts and prayers!