Camp Daddy: End of the Season

Well, our little campers are all back at school now and that means an end to Camp Daddy for the summer. Don't worry though, there are still plenty of adventures for our campers to have and we will continue to update the blog during our weekend adventures. If you haven't already, PLEASE subscribe to our mailing list (bottom of the home page) to make sure you don't miss a single adventure (or tasty new recipe).

Looking back over the summer, there were so many adventures that I didn't have time to write about: Visiting the Smithsonian Museums, picnicking, more hikes, games in the back yard, building sofa forts, lightsaber battles, and many, many, more.

Although we only completed about 10% of the projects I had planned for our summer, our campers accomplished great things:

1) Dylan started learning to cook.

2) Dylan went from not even willing to dip his face in the pool to jumping into water over his head and swimming freestyle across the pool.

3) Ethan can doggie paddle the length of the pool, but is swimming strongest with a snorkel and mask.

4) Ethan now rides his two wheeler with confidence. (Stopping is still touch and go, so we also learned to avoid big hills!)

5) Noah swims and dives like a fish! He spends more time underwater than above water.

6) Noah can dependably read a few words (book, zoo, fire, etc) and has mastered writing nearly all of his letters.

7) I introduced the boys to Tim 'The Toolman' Taylor and Captain Sean Luc Picard.

8) As a family, we finished reading the entire Harry Potter series.

9) Dylan and Ethan hiked the Billy Goat Trail section 'A'.

I am so appreciative to my beautiful wife, Grace, who suggested my staying home with the kids this summer! Alas, with the boys back in school, Grace has gently hinted that I really need to get a job now. Since my professional blogging career has only yielded $0.17 in advertising fees, it looks like I will be rejoining the work force.

Some observations before I close:

1) Time flies! Every day went by in a blur -- even when we just stayed at home.

2) What awesome memories!!!!

3) I am always impressed at the boys ability to hike...especially Noah with his little legs. His determination to keep up the with his brothers is amazing!

4) Investing in the neighborhood pool was totally worth it.

5) So much laundry!!

6) Even more dishes!!

7) Power tools are fun.

8) You can never have too many first aid kits.

I will definitely miss our extended summer days but am ever so grateful for this summer of memories. Here's a few extra pictures of our adventures.