Off to Camp.........

Today is the day that our youngest son heads off to Camp Wabanaki for 5 days with is grade 8 class! He is the last of our three children to attend this traditional end to their grade 8 year.

Last night Matt and I sat down with the list that the school sent home and went through the recommended items to bring. We packed extra socks, shoes and underwear. He dug out an old hockey bag and stuffed everything in (including his sleeping bag). He packed a few personal items into a nap sack that he would take on the bus. Now he was ready to go.

He didn't seem nervous at all (this was his first time away for this length of time). He didn't seem concerned that he would be gone from his family for 4 nights and 5 days. He didn't mention that he would miss his brother or sister. He wasn't upset that he wouldn't be able to mow his Grandma and Grandpa's lawn and his brother would have to do it for him. He wasn't disappointed that he would miss his turn to cook dinner this week. I was getting the feeling that he wasn't going to miss us at all!

He was the first one out of bed this morning and ready to go, earlier than usual. I was driving him to school and we needed to be there by 8:30am. We arrived about 10 minutes early. He had already told me the night before that I was not allowed to take photos of him at school. The shot above was taken in front of our house just before we left.

As we were pulling up to the school you could see the kids and parents saying there goodbye's and the rental truck was already there for all the luggage. I wanted to park the car and walk Matt over to the crowd like all the other parents were doing but he told me to pull up next to the curb. He hopped out and before I could get out of the car, he already had his stuff out of the trunk and was saying goodbye!

I said my quick goodbye and watched him blend into the crowd, never looking back. I started to drive away, feeling a little sad that all I would have to scrapbook would be the one photo of him in front of the house holding his bag (and the fact that he didn't seem even a little sad that he was leaving me behind). I tried to convince myself that it wasn't about me and that I should just let it go. Before I knew it, I was driving around the block and parking my car in the church parking lot across the street.

I hopped out, camera in hand and stood across the street (behind a pole) and took this photo of the group of kids and the rental truck being loaded up! Do you notice all the parents in the crowd? I am trying to look past that and focus on the scrapbook page. I was sure to get the name of the school in the photo and as much of the crowd as I could. I couldn't spot Matt (I am sure he was ducking behind something so he didn't get int he photo).

After a few minutes of watching the action I made my way back to my car and headed home. I snapped one last photo through the windshield of my car......the buses all lined up, waiting for the kids to be loaded on.

Don't get me wrong.......I am thrilled that my son is independent. I would much rather have him blend into the crowd without a thought than be nervous and anxious. It tugs on my heart a little to feel him drift away from childhood and start on his own path. I know that he will have a wonderful week and I will rely on Facebook for all the photos at the camp. I will be sure to take my camera along with me when I pick him up on Friday. I don't care what he says at that point. I will be so happy to see him.....and hopefully he will be happy to see me too!

Little Red Wagon #32 - Sketch

I am so excited about this challenge! I love sketches. I am completely addicted to them. Regan drew this sketch for this weeks challenge..........

And this is my card.........

I had coloured this image and was waiting for the perfect opportunity to use it. This is Butch and Mimi from Stamping Bella. I fell in love with them the minute I saw them. I used papers from October Afternoon, which I have to say is one of my favourite new collections.

Thanks to Regan for a great sketch. I had fun using it. Be sure to visit Little Red Wagon and see what everyone does with this sketch, and maybe you should give it a try too.

I also entered my card in the following challenges:

Cards - use floral paper
Sentimental Sundays - new or neglected stash
A Spoon Full of Sugar - floral delight

May Product Challenge!

Well it is a bit late, but I did get it finished. I love to participate in the product challenges at Two Scrapbook Friends. It really takes me out of my box and challenges me to try something different. I came across this sketch on the Imaginisce blog that was created by Robyn Schaub. I used it to create my layout.

Here it is........

Here is a close-up of the birdhouse.........

I added some stamping and these sweet felt birds that we just got in the store from Maya Road. They matched the layout perfectly!

Little Red Wagon #31 - Alter an Embellishment

Happy Wednesday everyone. It is challenge day at Little Red Wagon and I have been on a layout roll. The challenge this week was issued by Avril and it was to alter an embellishment. This one made me think.

Yesterday was DT reveal day at Two Scrapbook Friends and I played along. On this layout I altered the Maya Road kraft envelope. I added some punched circles from the pattern paper to decorate the circle tabs and added a brad to the center. I also added a sticker that coordinated with the page.

I was super pleased with the end result! Check out what the rest of my girlfriends have created and try to play along.

Design Team Reveal!

It is DT reveal day at Two Scrapbook Friends and I am thrilled to be able to play along this month. When we received the shipment of the products from Paper Loft I just knew I had to create with it. Here is what I came up with........

Skipping Stones........

Like 2 Peas in a Pod........

The Ultimate Fishing Buddies........

You are Unbelievable.......

I also made up the designer star album from Kaisercraft..........

I can't wait to see what the DT did with their kits. Be sure to visit our layout gallery and stop by the store to see the designs in person. We will also have the products that we used for sale in the store too.