Gramma Mimi Summer Camp 2024: Not My First Rodeo

She had them lay on the ground - and caught this with no direction. 

Sixteen years ago, when my oldest grandson was born several states away, I formulated a plan to spirit him away for a week each summer.  I would call it Gramma Camp and even found a onesie for him to wear when he came to visit at seven months old. 

I did not take into account that I was the parent of five children and once they start multiplying, that is a lot of grandchildren. I was fortunate to end up with ten. 

Pretty Scary Varmits! 

When they were young, and there were fewer of them, I worked full time for a agricultural supply company. I would pick a theme, plan for months and have a week of fun filled activities.  

Then I retired and provide full or part-time child care to seven of them. Someone did not think ahead.  They still love "cousin camp".  For the past two years I copped out to passes to a nearby amusement park and "planned" from there.  This year I decided I needed a theme. But the brain was dry. Then I remembered that several were not even born when I had the first few camps. I recycled my "Cowboy Camp" theme into my new "Not My First Rodeo. Theme". I would love to thrill you with a list of themed meals, crafts and activities from the past few days, but I am so tired that I can only do photos at this point. 

This was the gang before they were captured by the posse.
 

I was very blessed when my family photographer posted she had a cancellation for a session on the second morning of camp and would someone like to book a session? Me! Me!  The younger seven are still willing to let me dress them up and play dolls - so here we are. Aren't most grammas ready for a themed photo shoot for seven children with 8 hours notice? My three teen grandchildren joined us that afternoon - LOL - by choice. 

We made it at sunrise - and the photos are lovely!  Hopefully I will recover soon and can post and share about the water games, the outings, a darling farm I found, horse back riding, the buffalo we met, lunch from the chuck wagon.  Maybe I will recover soon, LOL.   

Yee Haw!  (she was ready for rain with this set up. And thank you to Children's Place for putting these shirts on sale.