Camp Nawakwa and Ingrid's Wedding

Sorry I haven't updated the blog in awhile (for those of you who have been checking!). It's been a busy summer. Since returning from West Virginia, Mikey and Emma's soccer schedule started up, we had a week of theatre camp, and Emma and I camped together at Camp Nawakwa. We've also had family get togethers and play dates with friends, along with other outings. More recently we went to Ingrid's wedding, camped at Coon Forks in Augusta, and watched fireworks at Jon's brother Phil's summer cottage on Lake Holcombe. Today's the first good lazy day we've had in awhile.

Going to Camp Nawakwa with Emma was so much fun (for both of us). For me it was all of the adventure of going to summer camp-- with none of the social anxiety or homesickness I remember experiencing as a child. Emma and I shared a bunk bed inside a yurt. There were about 10 girls in our group, with four of the girls and their mothers staying in the yurt with me and Emma. Two of the girls were from our Girl Scout troop in Eau Claire, so Emma had kids to play with right away.

Older girls stayed elsewhere on the campground, for different periods of time. We met girls staying for three days, one week, or two weeks. Besides the yurts there were platform tents, cabins, and canvas tents. Each group was assigned two counselors, who all appeared to be college-age girls. At the time we were there the camp had three foreign exchange counselors: one from England, one from New Zealand, and one from Australia. They were all very nice, fun and active girls; the little girls loved them.

We hiked, swam, made crafts, sang songs, played outdoor games and roasted marshmallows. Meals were communal... we sat eight to a table, with a counselor at each table and all ages mixed. After eating, one girl from each table would scrape and stack the plates, while another would carry a tub of soapy water over to the table. Then one of the girls would wash her table's dishes, and another would carry the dishes over to the kitchen (where they were sterilized). The girls seemed to enjoy the routine and the responsibility. I was impressed with the good role modeling and girl empowerment I saw going on. Next year Emma wants to try an overnight there without me, and I will probably let her (though I would love to go again!).

This weekend we were reunited with Coco, our little Jack Russell Terrier! Emma was very gratified about her return; several tears were shed in her absence. But Mom and Dad watched her while we went to West Virginia, and kept her another two weeks after that. We were hoping she would help keep bears out of the yard, since Mom and Dad have had more than their share of bear sightings lately. Coco did manage to chase one little bear cub out of the yard (without any angry retribution from the mother bear, who was probably watching in the woods nearby), but she missed seeing a big black bear in the woods during a walk with Mom (Mom called her away and steered them back toward the house without Coco noticing the encounter).

Now that Coco's back she seems pretty subdued. I'm guessing she misses the freedom and food treats provided in Rhinelander.

We enjoyed seeing Laurie and Mark, John and Jim, and Mom and Dad in Rhinelander during Ingrid's wedding. The outdoor setting was beautiful, and Ingrid seemed happy and radiant. I'm still impressed that Craig made their wedding bands! The dance was a lot of fun... it was amazing to see Mikey perk up and start dancing the night away as he did. I also enjoyed talking to Ingrid's older sister Karin, who I had not seen since high school. I wish someone had pointed out her husband to me, though! Oh well.

Hopefully John found his camera eventually.

Well, I'll try to write sooner next time, so there isn't so much to cram in! Hope everyone is well!