Camping - Why I have not been blogging

I went camping for the first time since Grade School.. I am glad to be home is all I can say.. Not that camping is completely horrible but camping for 6 days was pushing the limits a bit..

Camp Outdoor Adventure Tama Hills 2008
6 days of Camping, for the first ever Tama Hills Summer Camp
Roughly 70 girls attended the camping trip including 4 from Atsugi
Amanda, Ana, Caitlin & Kiersten (Amanda & Caitlin are my daughters)

There were 7 groups headed by Cadet's & Seniors as Program Aides (PA's) there was an Adult added to each group to help support the PA..

Amanda & Kiersten were in Group 3 their Group called themselves Spice Girls
Ana & Caitlin were in Group 4 and their Group was Dj's Girls
I was the adult for Group 1 which were the Candies
other group names were: Bibbles Bubbles, The Dynamites, The Chicas, Sour Skittles
The first day at camp the girls became acquainted with other girls and their PA's and schedules were talked about, things we would do while attending camp things not to do as well as the menu for Dinner (Beef Stew) and the Bon Fire that night where we would have smores..
At the Bonfire the PA's and girls introduced themselves to everyone else and sang their chant if they had one..

Day 1: We hiked down from camp at 730am to Tama Lodge for breakfast (Pancakes and Bacon)
Then all the groups separated and begin their activities for the day:
Sample activities for the day: Archery, Horseback Riding, Badge Work, Lunch, Kaper Clean, Hike, Sports, Dinner, Free Time (showering), Writing, Lights Out
On the first day several if not all groups missed an activity or two because of the amount of time it took the group to hike from point a to point b.. some of the scheduling had you going in 20 minutes from the Lodge back to Camp which with my group took 40 minutes.. so we were late for the activity and did not get to finish and were late for most activities..
After the first day since Tama Lodge so graciously loaned Golf Carts to the Camp the Staff began to Cart us to and from whenever possible when there was a distance to walk..
Dinner ran along the lines of: Beef Stew, BBQ Chicken, Hamburgers, Spaghetti (2x's), Hobo Chicken Foil Pack with veggies
Lunch: Ham & Cheese Sandwiches, Hamburgers, Hotdogs, Spaghetti, Frito Boats,
Breakfast: Eggs, Sausage & Toast, Pancakes & Bacon, Toast, Eggs & Potatoes

The girls earned a total of 13 badges while at Camp.. They even brought in a Faux Rock Wall to Climb and the girls enjoyed that. Caitlin zipped on up there so quickly, we were all shocked... The Horseback Riding was being walked around the fenced in area while on a horse or pony, there was no galloping or riding on a trail unfortunately. They did learn alot about horses and how to saddle and care for them..
On the last day we had an adults versus campers Dodge ball game which then turned into a water fight where most if not all ended up soaked.. Another Bon Fire with Smores... YUMMY! On the last day of camp we woke up to rain and most of our cots or belongings wet due to the rain.. we took our suitcases to the BP Lounge and went down for breakfast hoped the rain would stop then came back up in the rain and waited for our rides to pick us up.. Thankfully the rain held off until the last day, if it had been raining all week I would have booked a Cabin and stayed in it myself...

Bronze Award - Girl Scouts

Teacher Appreciation Crown/Tiara

My daughter and I made a Tiara/Crown for her Teacher.. Mihara is her last name...

Ingredients for this Project:
Paper is from DCWV All Dressed Up
Crepe Paper Fuschia & White
Home Accentz Beads clear
Making Memories Whote Grommets
Streamer Ribbon Pink & White
Pink Ribbon from Stampin Up
Black & White Ribbon
DCWV All Dressed Up Glittered Chipboard Letters
Fiskars border punch Threading Water

Teacher Appreciation EOY Gift

My daughter Caitlin who is 8 and in the 3rd grade helped put together this frame for her teacher. She included a personal note to her teacher.

Garlic Jo's

I never heard of Garlic Jo's until I moved to Japan. However I believe it started in California.. Anywho, I absolutely love this restaurant if I could survive eating garlic every day I would. The food is absolutely delicious.. I am hoping to hop on a train Friday and have some as my plans for today were cancelled as my little one is sick.. Check out the link

http://www.garlic-jos.com/english.html#eng_gar07

Fathers Day Card

Verve Visual Father Figure Set Item# VV-08-016
Anniversary Birds Item# VV-08-013
Happy Fathers Day & Circles are from PaperTrey Ink

Fathers Day Cards

Here are some Fathers Day Cards stamped by my Daughters ages 8 & 10

Skeletal System Poster

This poster was made by my 3rd grader using my Cricut Expression and the Paper Dolls Cart.

She cut the Skeleton Costume on white CS twice at fit to page. The First cut went on the green poster paper and the second cut she took the skeleton head and pop dotted it on the first one then cut the leg bones and used them for arms and had her daddy draw the hands for her.

She also pulled up and or pop dotted some of the bones to give them some depth and added some shading. Using a label maker she labeled the parts of the skeletal system. On the back of her poster paper was her speech. (she also made a similar handout for all of her classmates but index card size) Her 3rd grade glass was given this assignment:

As a body organ, you are an employee of the Human Body Corporation. Due to recent cost increases, the Human Body is having to fire workers. You need to write a letter to the Human Body Corporation defending your position in the company. In your letter, you need to describe to the corporation the following characteristics of your organ and explain why you are important to the Human Body Corporation. *Indicate the name of your organ and where it is located. Identify what systems of the body you work with. Describe how you work with these systems. List the other organs that work with you in your system. Describe your main functions as a Human Body Organ. Tell the corporation why you are important and why they should not fire you. Also, explain what might happen in the corporation fired you. Be sure to include a labeled drawing of your organ to use as a visual aid to go with your letter.