DAY FOUR-CAMP REDNECK

We seem to have settled into the BORING CAMP routine yesterday. I got out the sidewalk chalk and the razor scooters, but the hit of the morning was moving "Furniture" into the tree house. It SO reminded me of Camille as a little girl. The oldest seemed to be suffering from a little "Homesickness". We then went to the Movie AGAIN- and saw "Imagine That". A cute but slightly predictable movie. I thought the boys seemed a little bored during it. We then went to the video game room. # 1 likes to drive the cars fast and crash lots and # 2 likes to shoot the gun. Home for a brief period and then to the pool. They seemed a little bored even swimming today. Home for "Dogs" and chili and then MORE target practice. We were all in the bed by 9 PM.

It is interesting to watch the difference in their personalities and their interaction together. Some of it is very predictable such as little brother warting, warting warting, and then WHAM big brother clobbers him. They are REALLY different though in their basic personalities. # 1 is cautious and careful-a little fearful. # 2 doesn't seem to realize there is danger in anything and will jump off the cliff if you don't watch him. I did denote a little fear in both over the wasps. If you live in the woods, you have wasps. They both are terrified. Maybe they don't have wasps in Texas?

At any rate we are up early again today. # 1 wakes # 2 up when he is ready to get going. I really think # 2 would like to sleep for a while longer, but # 1 WILL NOT HEAR OF IT! I am wondering does this go on at home? We have some different plans today, so MAYBE the boredom will be lifted.

DAY THREE-CAMP REDNECK!

We had another busy day at Camp Conville that I now have renamed Camp Redneck! The first picture shows Caleb playing with a pair of scissors -OOPS!

We went to Wally World FIRST thing this AM. What Redneck Camp would be complete without a visit to the WORLD FAMOUS Wally World! We came home and the boys chilled as shown above while I cooked Momma Lulu's Famous Chili that the boys LOVE! I know it is warm for chili, BUT when you have a personal request-WELL WHO CAN REFUSE?

We then went to the movie and saw "Up". Great movie and it could be an entire post of its own telling you the deep and profound meaning behind this wonderful flick. The boys liked the movie, but I am not sure they really understood the deep meaning behind it. We then went for Icees and came home for a little down time. Off to the pool again for a long swim. Home for chili and then:-----------------

A little target practice with Poppa Bob and the BB gun. Every self respecting Redneck needs to "Take Target Practice"!

When Poppa Bob asked the boys what important thing they had learned after their gun lesson, Caleb answered, "Never put poison in your brother's soup." TOO FUNNY!

DAY TWO-CAMP CONVILLE

Day 2 of Camp Conville dawned early and went late. The boys enjoyed a Poppa Bob pancake breakfast with fresh blueberries from Pop's Farm. We then went to church where they attended the "Learning Center" while we went to "Big Church". We then toured ANOTHER of Ruston's fast food establishments for lunch. (WELL BALANCED DIETS WHILE HERE!). Following returning home we discovered one of life's simple pleasures--Picking up pinecones-taking them up in the tree house and then throwing them far back down toward the creek. I did not bother to tell them that they were saving me lots of bending by doing this-BUT THEY LOVED IT!

We then went to another of Ruston's many pools for a LONG swim and fun time. Home for supper and NO protests when it was bedtime. The only hint of homesickness came when we video chatted with their Mom and Dad. I think being REALLY tired could have led to that. Another big day planned for tomorrow-well actually we are kind of open with several options. Time is flying by!

LET THE FUN AND GAMES BEGIN!

Yesterday began the annual "Camp Conville". The day started with a drive to Tyler to meet "The Campers". I definitely got the short end of the stick since Tyler is only 2 1/2 hours away from Ruston on a 6 1/2 hour trip. That is 6 1/2 hours of driving-IF you don't stop and just keep on trucking. The "Boys" seem to like to tour "The Facilities", so that always entails a few stops. THANK GOODNESS for portable DVD players! I was greeted in Tyler with, "Where's Poppa Bob." THANKS A LOT! They do LOVE their Poppa Bob.

We headed to Ruston-pronto-haste. The rest of the afternoon included lunch of Ruston's own WINGS-SPICY! A little decompression time and then a swim in the "Boersma Pool". Friend Helen is so generous with her pool and her time. Poppa Bob went and fetched us all "Johnny's Pizza" and we ate pool side. By the time we got home and got settled, things became pretty quiet. Poppa Bob went and tucked the boys in and watched a little tele with them and OFF to dream land. We did not hear a peep until 6:30 this AM and both of us were awake by then.

Plans for Day Two of Camp Conville-Poppa Bob is the "Pancake Chef" as I write- Church - and then WHO KNOWS. We will see how the day unfolds!

I forgot to mention that the tail end of the virus I managed to come day with entailed completely loosing my voice yesterday. HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO YELL ORDERS WITH NO VOICE?

DRAG ME SCREAMING TO THE NEW CENTURY!

#1 Son & # 1 DIL gave us a camera for Christmas for our computer. Our last trip to Austin, Caroline gave me a lesson on how to use it and loaded my computer with the software. With all the "New Baby Business", I had not actually used it UNTIL last night. IT IS SO COOL! I got on line and called them up last night and they responded. We got to see # 1 & # 2 Grands and #1 Son & DIL. Had a brief chat-BUT most important got to "Eyeball" them. I have always said there is just something about putting your eyes on your children and grandchildren that is reassuring. It is wonderful to talk with them, but it is not the same as putting your eyes on them.

That brings me to this-WHY do we feel the need to clown around if we know there is a camera on us? Both boys AND their Dad were making silly faces while we were trying to have a conversation. Hopefully the "Novelty" will wear off and we can have a chat without a silly face inches away from the camera ( I do LOVE those silly boys!).

With that said, I am excited about our new toy and am on a mission to send a camera to #1 daughter. We can then have "Group Chats". HOW COOL IS THAT! Of course we will have to coordinate it all around Mr. Henry's BUSY schedule.
Can't wait to get them up and going and on line as a "Family."

CONVILLE SPEAK

#1 daughter called this AM to tell me there is some confusion about what is wrong with me. After # 1 SIL read my last post, he thought I had typhoid. She and I got a good laugh from that. BC had a virus that really knocked him for a loop while I was in Erie-the first time. He is still hacking from that virus. I woke up Tuesday AM feeling bad, but went walking with the girls anyway. I started running a low grade fever later in the day and have had all the same symptoms that he did since then. Strange that it would take all this time for me to finally come down with the malady, but that is exactly what happened. I suppose you have to speak "Conville" to know exactly what I am talking about. Camille said she knew immediately that I was saying that I had caught what her Dad had suffered from. At any rate, I feel better-except for coughing all night and being so congested that I woke MYSELF up snoring (CHARMING!), I am on the heal.

This brings to mind that all families have "Their Own Language". It takes years and years to develop and most do not understand the meaning or source without the history. Inside jokes, shared lives, and long hours of conversations lead to a "Private Language". Think about it as you and your family talk-we all develop our own speech patterns within our family groups. There are idioms that we each separately brought to our marriage from our past and there is a lifetime of shared living that develops others. I am always amazed when BC and I are thinking the same thoughts at the same moment and how we can finish each other's sentences and anticipate the others reactions. With years of raising a family and living life, we have developed our own set of idioms. I will give #1 SIL a break-after all he has only had 3 years to learn "The Language".

Meanwhile-#1 & #2 Grands are coming to spend a week in beautiful downtown Vienna next week. FUN AND GAMES! I need to get all my projects finished up and everything "Lined Out" for the week to come. I DO NOT HAVE TIME TO BE UNDER THE WEATHER!

LATER

I seem to have caught "Typhoid Mary's" malady. Have seen a better day, but remember my motto for life--

This too shall pass-

Tomorrow and Tomorrow