the Twist!!

Every Thursday (the last full day of each camp), we put on a Closing Show. Each age group gets on stage to do their cheer, awards are given out, and then the kids do a music program. Every age group was assigned a different song-this year, each group has a song from a different decade. The Kittens' song is "The Twist" (I think from the '60s?). The older age groups (7yrs and up) have to sing their songs, but we don't. A friend and I choreographed a little dance for the song and each week Blaine and I teach it to the kids. It usually turns out really cute.


The video is from last week's Closing Show. The little girl I'm holding hands with was my absolute favorite! She was just adorable. During practices, she did fine with the dance, but I guess once she saw all the people she got a little stage fright. As you can see from the video, I stand on the side so the kids can follow along with me. I'm not sure if you can see him, but Blaine is crouched down in the front so the kids can watch him as well.

kids say (and do) the strangest things

This week, my kids have said some crazily random things. It's pretty cute.

After eating lunch, one little girl said, "Every time you go to McDonald's and get food, they always say 'thank you.'

On the hike, I overheard a couple of kids talking. I missed most of their conversation, but this is what I got from it. A girl said, "I saw a great big tiny bear and it was nice." (How contradictory...haha.) And then a few minutes later, a boy said, "If we fall off the cliff, superman will save us, but not the bad guys."

This next one I did not understand at all...a little girl asked me if bad bunnies like dirt and where all the bad bunnies went. What is that even supposed to mean? And what are bad bunnies? I suppose that is just one of life's mysteries.

One of the boys in my group is extremely strange...I will call him "Bob." Yesterday during the potty break before our hike, Bob crawled under a stall while another boy was still going. That boy was understandably upset. Then Bob went into the girls' restroom. Some of the girls came running out saying, "That boy came in our bathroom!" Then this morning, while we were having another potty break, he peed on another boy. Why? I have no idea. There is something seriously wrong with this child. Later this afternoon, he asked me if we could learn about kissing. Um...no!

Anyway, this week is over finally. I'm really glad this group is going. It was difficult for me because it was so large (we had 21 4yr and 5 yr olds and a 3 yr old). I didn't feel like a made any real personal connections with any of them. The group was really good as a whole, but still quite challenging.

the best weekend ever!

My dad visited me this weekend! He flew in Friday morning and picked me up after work around 2:30. I was so excited to see him!

Today (Saturday), we went out to lunch, visited temple square, and then he came to Aspen Grove. Dad was able to taste the exquisite (haha...not) food. I took him on a grand tour and then beat him at a game of horseshoes. (It was my first time to play, too!)

After dinner, I met with my new group for the first time. (Dad followed us around and just observed.) I'm pretty sure my group is going to be a trial this week. There are 20 of them. 20 rambunctious 4 and 5 year olds. Wow.

We had opening show following our group time. Dad watched as well. Our opening show is quite the event...haha. First we get to hear the camp director's "witty" jokes. Next, the age groups give their cheers (the Kitten cheer is the best, of course!). And finally, the staff get to put on skits, songs, jokes, etc. And these can get extremely cheesy. But whatever. It's fun.

Pictures from temple square:

Conference Center





Tabernacle




Salt Lake Temple

Now for some awesome news!! Drum roll please.......................
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I have a car!!!!!

I am soo excited! Dad looked online for some used cars that people were selling and on Friday he checked out a couple. After he picked me up, we looked at the one he liked the best. And I really liked it. I wasn't sure if we were going to get it though. Then this morning, he asked me if I wanted it, and of course, I did!! And he bought it! I am so happy!!! The car (a 1999 Ford Taurus) is at my grandparents right now so my grandpa can get the safety and emissions tests done. Then on Friday, he will pick me up and we'll get it registered. And then I can bring it up to Aspen Grove with me!!!!

Aspen Grove

I was given a great opportunity this summer to work at Aspen Grove. Aspen Grove is a family camp that is owned by BYU Alumni. My job is program counselor for the "Kittens" (5 yr olds). My co-counselor is named Blaine. Here is the picture of us that is on the Aspen Grove website.

The picture is pretty goofy...don't worry, we don't always look this.

Every week we get a new group of kids. Generally our group consists of about 15 4-5 yr olds. For the most part, the kids are well-behaved, but of course there are always a few that can drive a person crazy!

I live in a little A-Frame cabin in "Canyon Rim." Some of the staff live in the other cabins in Canyon Rim, but for the most part, the staff live in Snowshoe Lodge. Even though not all staff live there, it's a central place for staff to congregate. There's a lounge and computers and wireless internet. Here is a picture of the outside of my cabin.

I have two roommates, Canda and Michell. They are so much fun and really nice girls. I'm enjoying living with them.

That's all the time I have right now. I will get some more pictures of the camp posted later.

Update!!

Sorry I haven't posted in such a long time. Time for a major update. After the semester ended, I went to Virginia to visit my family. Here are some pictures of my trip.

My Mom and I went into DC quite a few times. On one of the trips, we went to the Library of Congress. It is one of my favorite buildings...it is just so beautiful!






The first weekend of May, all of us went on a little Civil War trip. We went to Harper's Ferry, Antietam, and Gettysburg. It was a great trip!!

Harper's Ferry:





Antietam:













Gettysburg:






My mom and I toured the Capitol Building. It was so cool! We went through Congressman McCaul's office to get tour tickets, so a member of his staff took us around the building. We even went into the House of Representatives Chamber.





One of the last things we did while I was there was tour the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. We had to get there early in the morning to get tickets. Then we spent the day just doing stuff around DC before it was our time to go on the tour. It was a really fun day.








I had a great time being with my family. It was a really fun break for me. I left Virginia at the end of May to come back to Utah. I started working at Aspen Grove Family camp the last week of May. I will explain more about my job later.