Camp "Shambo"

The original name for the camp was "Camp Grandma Patti".  But... the girls thought it was boring so they renamed it "Camp Shambo"... for all our last names.. Scott, HAMling, BOrman.  

The girls spent three nights at Grandma and Grandpa's house.  They intended on sleeping outdoors at least one night but the heat has been SOOO bad here lately that they brought the tent inside and spent all three nights "camping out" in the living room!!  Grandma had TONS of activities planned for the girls as well as many "outings."  At first Grandpa Doug was hoping for a business trip out of town but decided to stay and be the "Camp Chef."  The girls had a GREAT time.  Jacob, Molly and myself stayed at my sister's house so Jake got some quality time with Jimmy and Molly LOVED hanging out with their dog, Sammy.   My original plan was to come back to Des Moines but when tickets to the Olympic Swimming Trials became available, I knew I HAD TO GO... so my sister graciously offered to let us stay at her house since no boys or parents were welcome at Camp Shambo.  Thanks Mom and Dad for making such a great memory for the girls.  They talked about it all the way home and have already started talking about next year.  As we were leaving my sweet niece, Ella, asked Grandma if they could do this once a month!!  HA!!!  Grandma politely replied, "I think once a year is plenty."  I'm sure Grandma and Grandpa will be in bed early tonight... and so will the girls!!!

 The TENT was a HUGE hit!!!

 Craft supplies!!!

 Busy making their first craft!!!!

 Thanks Grandpa Doug for all the GREAT food!!!

 Decorating the tent was a lot of fun!!

 They went bowling!!!

 My VERY COMPETITIVE child wins!!!

 MORE CRAFTS!!!

 Getting their fingernails and toenails painted!!!

 When I was a child my parents always had "Family Dinner Nights."  We would sit in the dining room and have a "formal" dinner where we would talk about manners and pick fun topics out of the encyclopedia to discuss during dinner.  So... the last night the girls were in charge of setting the table after a few instructions and then they had a formal dinner in the dining room.  They learned all sorts of great manners that I'm sure they will share with their brother when he isn't behaving at the table!!!

As many of you know, I grew up LOVING the pool and swam competitively for MANY years.  So... when my mom called and said they had extra tickets to the Olympic Swim Trials I was SOOO excited. Not only for myself but also for my girls to witness the best of the best doing something that they love.  We had three sets of three tickets so I chose to sit with Anna and Ella and somehow I got the BEST seats ever!!  We got to sit with Ryan Lochne's family and friends and Jenny Thompson who has won the most female swimming Olympic Medals ever.  She has twelve and was gracious to take a picture with the girls.  It was such a fun experience and if Omaha hosts in four years I can't wait to go back!!