For our Fall campout with AHG, we planned to go to a new area, the Clear Creek Recreational Area near the Sipsey Wilderness past Jasper. And as usual with these events, I do NOT want to get their late and struggle to find a place to put this large tent and canopy, and I also do NOT want to set up in the dark. So we got everything packed well, and plans to check the girls out of school on Friday around 1PM. Magan was working on some pictures on her laptop, but I asked which girl we should get first. It really did not matter, so we just drove to pick up Belle first. I parked right outside the office and went in to get her checked out. I told the secretary her name, then I wrote her name on the check out list, only then realizing that all the other names were in the 7th and 8th grade, then looking up with recognition to the Secretary who had also realized the same thing..."I think Anabelle doesn't even go here". We had driven to the Middle school. The Secretary laughed, and I said "Don't tell anyone about this", to which she replied "I won't tell Magan" laughing. "She is out in the car" I said also laughing. Then when I opened the door of the van still laughing from this craziness, it finally dawned on Magan as well, and we laughed all the way to Ruby's school to check her out first. And finally, we drove over to the high school to pick up Belle at the right school.
The campsite was great, but we had two sites that were about 80 yards apart, so while Magan and I got a perfect spot closest to the bathroom, others that checked in later had to go a bit further. First day was fun learning all the new girls and meeting new moms. I have not been to any AHG meetings this year, so slowly learning the new ones, and getting to reconnect with the older ones. Picking on Makayla with the Jacks I brought for supper. And always good to see my consistent male companion Mr. Jimmy on these events. As I did not have any of the big events planned for this campout, I did fell like much of the organizing and planning burden I have sometimes was not there, so that night as I lay down to sleep, there was not a care in the world. And weather in the lower 40s, that is perfect for me, and I slept better than at home, except for the one bathroom visit that would have happened at home also. Went to bed around 9PM, and finally woke up around 7:30AM. One of the other moms was talking with Magan the next morning about how difficult their sleep was...both of them complaining about how hard it is to sleep out here, then the other mom (Ashley) said "Well, I know you husband didn't have any problems sleeping"....hahaha, apparently I was snoring pretty well too.
The next morning went well also, even with the late start for me. The girls made good used of the new sandwich maker tool I bought, using it to heat up the jacks biscuits from the night before with some of the chicken left over for a good biscuit on this morning. The Jacks was just too far away, so I elected to just make the meals in a bag with some hot water. But to me, the instant coffee was good, the bag meals was good. Not much was going bad on this campout. The girls had a morning craft and activity that Sharon put together, and then it was quickly lunch time. After a quick sandwich, and knowing that the hike was not until 1PM for the explorers (Ruby), I decided to go in the tent at 11:45 for a little shut eye. And like that, it was 1:30PM and I was almost late for the hike. Magan was laughing at my red eyes from another round of deep sleep.
That afternoon after the hike was a fun blend of activities. I made some Orbeez and we used it with badminton racquets like baseball swings. The girls liked hitting these at me. Ruby and Belle helped others to build fires based on Mr. Jimmy's instructions. Anabelle did more crafting activities at the campsite. Ruby and I had a hike down to Smith Lake. And I brought a giant flag to prepare for the flag ceremony, so many of the girls took turns cutting the pieces of the flag. Evie had brought a skeleton and dog skeleton to join in the festivities around the fire. All the girls named him Dave.
That night we had the typical "tacos in a bag", followed by campfire skits and songs, then the flag retirement ceremony. Belle again was an excellent MC of the campfire activities, she amazes me with having no fear in front of those crowds. I would have been completely terrified at her age to basically lead a whole event, but she just jumps up there and starts everyone off, even adding her own dad jokes when no one else was throwing out any jokes. My favorite was the baguette being in the museum because it was "bred" in captivity. And then throwing out a "patella" slapping joke for Dave. Not the hard laughs of a headliner, but the perfect timing and delivery for an MC killing time for the next skit. I am a little biased, but I think she is amazing. Ruby and her group did a funny skit based on an event earlier in the day for always taking 3 people on a hike, so 1 can stay with the injured person and 1 can run get help...the explorers tried to take that to grand scale with 10 people process. The PiPas and Belle did a funny madlib that included Mrs. Magan as the brunt of all the silly adverb/adjective jokes. Next was a bunch of songs, where Ruby and Belle pulled me back up front to lead "Hey Joe". Then Ruby and Belle led the "Milkshake" song, Belle and Evie got the "Purple Soup" started, and finally Belle got the Popsico started....after a hilarious mistake by starting with Magan.
"Hey Magan" Belle started. Magan replied excitedly "Heyyyyyyy" (Which is incorrect, the response is "Hey What?"). After some laughter Belle corrected her, then continued "Are you Ready". Magan again replied incorrectly with "Yeahhhhh" (The correct response is "For What"). This time more laughter, mainly from Magan because she was completely confused and is not as good when the crowd is all focused on her. Finally they got it started "To Pop", "Pop What", Popsico! I got my hands up high, my hands down low, show us how you popsico!
And then it was time for the flag ceremony, and while Makayla led the ceremony, I helped keep the line moving at a slow pace, and Mr. Jimmy had the tough job of manning a large flame with this giant flag. We also realized halfway into this flag that the non-cotton flag at this size was probably slowly causing cancer in all of us, but we were committed (note for future AHG campfires...no more large flags and only cotton if possible). We retired 3 flags on this evening, then I held Belle up there to help me sing the Star Spangled banner and yet again started it too high, you gotta keep that one low if you ever want to come close to hitting the high notes. Belle game me a little smile when she knew I missed it, but we managed it well. And then it was bed time, and since I was not already asleep on this night, I had the difficult task of getting Magan and two pillows and like 5 blankets all zipped up into a mummy bag. I don't know how she can do this, nor how she is not burning up. I slept ok on this night, having to wake up twice due to the afore mentioned "tacos in a bag".
And then was our final morning. I cooked Ruby her gravy biscuits in a bag. And I think we all had more grits because it is easy. I was able to get the leather working craft out and had fun watching lots of little ones swing hammers for the first time with my hand holding the metal pieces wincing each time the hammer came down. So far, the hammer has not hit me...too hard. I still laugh when I think about Makaylas response what I told her that morning..."If you don't brush your teeth during the morning, should you tell anyone". I don't know if she hears these goofy sayings at her house. After a devotion from Hadassah, we passed out the paper plate awards. Anabelle's award was for "The EmCee with the most patience that stirs yummy Purpose Stew and knows Joe personally" and Ruby won for "Queen of the Trash Spotters" as she is always helping clean up during a hike, and an Honorable Mention for "Fastest to a t-shirt in the cold morning hours" and she was on the first cold morning the first to get down to a tshirt. I gave out a few silly ones, but one little boy was so sad when his sister got one, and Magan said his eyes just lit up when I called his name for his hula hoop skills.
Another campout done, which is sad, because they are basically over with the boy scouts, and I can almost see the light coming up in this AHG tunnel. But we will deal with that when it comes. For now I love being outdoors with these girls, and love that they enjoy sleeping in a tent every once and awhile. For some reason, I don't think the Magan and Scott campouts will be many in the future.... perhaps I am wrong...hahaha. It was another great AHG campout!
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