Zoo Camp

Today Jack started Zoo Camp.  It's a week long camp at the zoo from 9-12 every morning and the theme is A, B and on to Z:  From Antelopes to Zebras, the Zoo ABCs.

The day started off as poorly as it could, for Jack anyway.  He was up late last night and before he went to bed, he said, "I want to sleep in later than Casey tomorrow.  So don't wake me up.  I want to sleep."  I said okay and went along with this, figuring he'd be up at 6am.  He rarely sleeps later than Casey.  However,  I had to wake up both Jack and Casey in order to get to zoo camp by 9am.

I had already showered and prepared everything for camp.  I put their cereal in plastic bags for the car.  Water bottles, hats, suntan lotion, shoes...everything was in the car and ready to go.  Everything except Jack.  He didn't want to get out of bed, he didn't want to get dressed, he wanted to eat breakfast at home, he didn't want to go to zoo camp.  I *patiently* got him dressed and into the car, even bringing the requested bowls so he could have his cereal in a bowl.  (They forgo the milk with their cereal anyway.)  But oh, I didn't have a spoon for him and this was so traumatizing that he wanted me to go back to the house and get him one.  I did not.  Crying ensued.

I had an Odwalla Bar that interested him and he started eating that and then started eating his cereal.  Except he wasn't finished with his cereal by the time we got to the zoo and he was soooo hungry.  We had a few minutes to spare so he was able to finish his cereal while I slathered on sunscreen.

We met Mr. Street, Jack's teacher - that's his first name and it's his real name and he mentioned it a couple times.  Jack prefers, "the man."   When it was time for me to leave and for Jack to go into the classroom, he didn't want to let go of my hand.  I don't know who felt more awkward, Jack or I, as I dragged him into the classroom.  The other boys and girls were introducing themselves.  I finally convinced Jack to go take a seat.  I heard him introduce himself - his name was Jack and it started with J.  And then he didn't look back so Casey & I snuck out the door.  I felt horrible and wondered if I should stick around, but I figured he would be alright.

Casey and I went grocery shopping and it was so nice with only one child.  Normally she is the problem-causer in the grocery cart, but with no one else to hit or lay on or bite, she was delightful.  We zipped through the store in no time and it was a nice glimpse of the future, when Jack is in school.

I checked my phone more than I ever do, just in case there was a phone call about Jack but the lines were quiet.  We headed back to the zoo to see what the verdict was going to be about zoo camp.  I was so glad to see the big grin on his face when he saw me waiting for him...the big grin that meant he'd had a good time and had so many things to show me and tell me.  And he's looking forward to going back tomorrow!