Well....
I was worried that my little man wouldn't behave, would get no sleep, and would have a meltdown by the end of the weekend.
2 out of 3 happened!
With that being said Jesse had an unbelievably fantastic time and can't wait to go back next year! I was so happy and am looking forward to camp next year too!
Here's how it went!
Friday morning Jesse woke up for school early because he was so excited to go to swim camp the next day.....hopefully a trend hasn't started.
Friday night, Jesse had off from swim practice.....haircut (check), packed his bag (check), packed tons of snacks (check). Bouncing off the walls has begun!
We went over all final checks and rules, signed all the paperwork, went over all the rules again....this has happened every day this week. I was really concerned about getting a phone call due to bad behavior from the Camp Director. I did ask Jesse to call me each night just so I could say hi. He took Mary's flip phone so he would have access to us.
We packed the truck so we didn't have to do it in the morning. He says "Mommy, can we leave now?"
He could barely sleep Friday night and it took a while to fall asleep. Ut oh! SLEEP DUDE!
On Saturday, he woke up before his alarm that was set for 6 AM. We left for camp at 6:30 AM knowing we would have to stop for gas and breakfast....and I'm sure Jesse will have to pee half way there. CALLED IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We had to stop at WaWa half way there because Jesse has a bladder the size of a pea!
He was so nervous as we were driving so I got him to listen to his music and take a little nap. I'm not sure if he actually slept but at least his nerves were gone. SLEEP!!!!!!
We arrived a bit early (par for the course for me) and it was all Jesse could do not to get out and run around.
Thank you Metallica for getting Jesse to relax and give me a few minutes more of peace before chaos ensues! Yes, Jesse's like his mom. He requires Heavy Metal to calm down and relax. LOVE IT!
After seeing other folks arrive, Jesse couldn't wait any longer and inside we went. We were greeted every step of the way with a friendly face and high 5s. I think everyone could feel Jesse's excitement. After doing the health review, picking up swag, getting his room and group info, room and food key, it was time to go to his DORM ROOM. OK seriously folks, DORM ROOM. This momma is not ready. Pick up your bag Jesse we're going home. I can't take it, you are only 10 and cannot stay overnight this far away from me without supervision of someone I trust completely!
DEEP BREATHS MOM!!!!! YOU GOT THIS! YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!!!
When Jesse saw his name on the dorm room door he got more excited. Is this possible! I swear he was already floating!
I helped him unpack and make his bed; showed him where everything was and he was like "Where's Myatt? Where's Justin? Where's Myles? Why isn't anyone here yet?" Well son, that would be because Mommy is extremely early to almost everything. He walked around the halls finding where everyone was staying. Myatt is staying in the room right next to Jesse and Justin! Myles and Quincy a few doors down, same with Johnny, Adam, and Cooper! He couldn't understand why Sabrine and Samia were not allowed to stay on the same floor. UMMM, guess we need to have a talk!
Of course, what he didn't notice is that the room was so so on the mom clean scale and he had no shower curtain. Jesse was not worried about any of this. I reminded him that he was expected to take a shower each day...... HA HA HA HA HA who am I kidding. Did I really think Jesse was going to shower? Or brush his teeth. Well YES, YES I DID!
We went downstairs and holy hell he was bouncing everywhere saying hi and finding his friends. MYATT HAS ARRIVED!!!!!!!!!!!!! And here I'm trying to find out how to get him a shower curtain. Luckily they had a list to add things like that so we're good.
Once everyone arrived and they were all set up it was time for Orientation. If you can believe it, that was only an hour and a half after we arrived. Jesse is still saying "Where's Justin". Justin was the only one who hadn't arrived yet.
The itinerary for the weekend was discussed with the rules being called out as well. This camp director plays no games with the rules and I'm thrilled. I think I'll be getting a phone call! AHHH!
I'm so proud of Jesse and our Greenheads! There were two kids that were rooming with one of our athletes that didn't come with a team or friend. The Greenheads said "come on with us!" Way to GHs!
All the kids really paid attention to orientation and were so excited to get to their first swim practice.
AND THEY ARE OFF! The parents get to watch as much of the first swim practice as they want. I stayed for a bit just to make sure that Jesse was going to behave.
Waiting for the swim practice to begin!
Jesse is doing a flip turn, Myatt is in front of him and Justin is behind him.
I was home about 30 minutes on Saturday when I got my first phone call from Jesse. Of course, I'm concerned. But he just wanted to say hi and to tell me how things were going. I LOVE THIS BOY! I know that within the next year he's not going to want to spend as much time with me so for him to call me while he's at camp was such a big deal.
Jesse proceeded to call me every few hours; basically each time they were back in their room. He was on speakerphone every time and had everyone in the room to say hello to me.
Jesse: Hey guys say hi to my mom!
Justin: Hi Mrs. Bown
Myatt: Hi Ms. Karen
Myles: Hey
I laughed every time, especially because each time Jesse was excited and each of the boys were less excited. LOL!
Jesse calls me at 10 PM on Saturday night to say "Hey Mom, I'm back in my Dorm!" I CAN'T TAKE IT! He informs me that the kids have to get themselves up in the morning. Jesse set the alarm on Mary's phone (at least he thinks he did) but I should call him by 6:50 AM. There goes me sleeping in tomorrow! I remind Jesse that he should get as much sleep as possible. It's already after 10 PM. GO TO SLEEP!
Jesse and Justin called me at 6:25 AM Sunday morning to say that they could barely sleep and had been up for hours. THIS IS NOT GOOD! I remind the boys how important it is for them to get sleep while at camp. I don't think they actually heard me say anything.
Sunday was another day of Jesse calling every few hours to tell me how things were going. He apparently loved everything that they did and was able to purchase a guitar book from Campus Town.
Another day and no call from the Camp Director. I'm literally wiping the sweat off my brow. How is this possible?
Same as yesterday I spoke with Jesse after 10 PM and asked him to please get some sleep. We made an agreement for me to call him Monday morning at 6:50 AM but he's sure the alarm will go off so if I don't want to call it's OK.
I set my own alarm for 6:50 AM and call Jesse immediately to find that he doesn't answer until the 6th ring, he's absolutely exhausted and had turned off the alarm and promptly fell back to sleep. We talked for a few minutes but I knew today was not going to be good. He just doesn't understand that his body requires more sleep than others.
I got to TCNJ before lunch to find Jesse was fading at rapid speed. I helped him to pack up and found that he hadn't brushed his teeth the whole weekend and hadn't taken a shower. Thankfully the pool was full of chlorine!
Instead of resting before the swim meet Jesse decided to go play volleyball. By the time volleyball was done he was COOKED! He had forgotten his camp t-shirt, had to go back to his room and almost missed camp pictures. I didn't get to see the picture being taken but I can only imagine that Jesse did not have the Jesse smile we all know and love!
By the time he came back from the picture he was a DISASTER. I knew the meet was not gonna go well. The coaches were great and tried desperately to figure out what was wrong and to get Jesse in the water to warm up.
I gave the coach his phone and headphones, suggesting that he listen to some music to calm himself down. They thought I was a bit nuts. I am....but I know my kid!
Jesse missed is first event because he was so upset. When he went up for the next event he wasn't ready and got even more upset with himself. OH BOOYYYY! Go get him!
I called Jesse out into the hallway and we had a cry, a hug, and another cry. We talked and I think I got through to him! YOU CAN DO THIS! I know you are tired, but get out of your head, get ready for you events, and TRY! It's OK to make mistake, but you have to learn from them.
GOOD TALK MOM! Because it worked! Jesse's next event was 50 Breast, his favorite! He was ready, paid attention, and did a fantastic job! It wasn't his best time, and it didn't need to be. What was perfect was that he got out of the pool with a smile on his face and felt good about himself and his performance. WAY TO GO JESSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Always remember that FAIL means First Attempt In Learning! It doesn't matter how bad you do, or how much you beat yourself up (please don't do that), it matters that you pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and try again! My little man had to do just that on Monday. AND HE DID IT! Life lessons are really hard but they are so important!
He felt even better about himself after his 50 Fly but opted to scratch the 100 IM and 100 Free. Even though I was a bit bummed I understood. I seriously don't know how he was standing. This kid needs sleep!
At the end of the meet all the coaches gave out awards to each of the four groups. One of Jesse's coaches said that camp would not have been camp without the "4 Stooges", "these boys were the life of camp and made it the best". That would be our very own Greenheads Jesse, Justin, Myatt, and Myles!
The 4 Stooges!!!!!!!!
On the way home Jesse and I talked about how important it is to sleep at camp and what it can do to your day when you are beyond exhausted. He agreed and promptly fell asleep in the car! He went to bed early without fuss last night too.
I can't thank NIKE and TCNJ enough for having this camp. Our GHs had a wonderful time! Zoey hopes she can go soon.
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