Camp Gramps

The girls recently enjoyed a fun week in Charlottesville. While Aaron went into the office each day, the girls had fun days with Gramps. (Meanwhile, I was enjoying a quiet week at home, with lots of reading.)

Hazel on the Charlottesville downtown mall. Her hot pink fanny pack is a new prized possession.

Most of our family hikes include at least a few moments of surly protest at the indignity of walking through nature.

Thankfully, they also involve lots of fun, wonder, and discovery.

And who doesn't love throwing rocks into creeks?



 Bird watching off Gramps and Amala's back porch.

Sue (AKA Amala) wasn't able to take time off to be with the girls during the days, but she did give them the most exciting car ride of their lives.

Her convertible was a big hit!

The girls had a terrific time and were very sad to leave at the end of the week. Juniper was especially devastated; I think this was her first serious goodbye since she became old enough to really know what it means to say goodbye to people you love who live far away. She spent the first 20 minutes of the car ride home sobbing, and finally calmed herself down by drawing a picture to express her sadness. That night at bedtime, she told me that she didn't think her heart is big enough for all the people she loves.

Goodbyes are hard, and living apart from loved ones is hard. We can't do anything to change that fact of our modern, mobile lives, but we are all hoping to make Camp Gramps (and Amala) a summer tradition.