Crazy kids, bike surgery, and chocolate oh my!!!

Today was rough but had some really good high points throughout the day. First rough part of the day: I opened up the gym for the kids to use before Blitz and the start of camp and I suggested we play knock out or shoot some basketballs around, but then the staff lead of the gym comes in and starts ripping them a new one for playing basketball in the gym. I told him it was my fault and that I didn’t know their basketball privileges got taken away, but he said he didn’t car and made them just sit on the bleachers until Blitz. I felt really bad because although they could have told me they weren’t allowed to play basketball, they might have also thought it was ok if a caregiver was the one letting them and suggesting it. Then the entire group must have been tired or not having a good day because no one was getting up and dancing or singing the Blitz songs with us (and I was sad because I finally made a whole song list myself to use). So once again the kids had to be talked to and forced to get up out of the bleachers to do Blitz with us. I could not wait to be on break.

So then I finally get off and I go to the gym… man was it tough today. I was so sore from the leg workout I did the day before that my cardio time was pathetic! And then I didn’t even have motivation to really lift or do abs. It was only a 45 minute workout… but at least I went.

I guess it all seems pretty rough without the highlights, but I swear this is when it starts to get better. First of all, lunch was fabulous (cannelloni, green salad, garlic bread, and a plum… what a big lunch!). Then another rough patch hit. I was in charge of a station of large group activity by myself without a permanent staff person in site. The first group was awful! I couldn’t even get one word in! they were yelling, hitting, kicking, running everywhere, and just not willing to do anything. I tried being calm, I tried getting firm and raising my voice a little, I tried everything! So when they went to the next group, a summer hire staff told the lead in charge of large group activity and she then yelled at them as well (a lot of disciplining going on today!). After large group activity they were not allowed to get snack until they wrote me an apology letter as well as apologized to my face. Highlight alert!!! The group with typically the worst behaved kids were actually the BEST! Especially this one child who has made it so clear that he does not like me or respect me and will not do what I say all summer. They were quiet and ready to play the game I had to offer and were so respectful. There was no name calling, no fighting, no one got hurt, and it even got to the point where I was able to get in the game and have fun with them too. I was completely blown away and I was sure to tell the lead staff the names of all the kids in that group and they ended up getting special prizes. And then we got pita bread and hummus for snack! Ok seriously, where were these snacks when I was in school/camp???!!! These kids eat so well and I am always impressed when they talk about how much they like these huge varieties of fruits, veggies, and food they eat!

Also the best part of the day was the fact that my poor sad Trudy bike went into surgery and got fixed! The director of the camp was able to bend the pedal bar so that it wouldn’t hit the frame anymore and he also fixed the back tire as much as he could (the tire was badly warped/bent). He also got the bike to stop switching gears on me! Now I feel like I can actually get somewhere in one piece and without being able to hear my clunking from a mile away!

After work I was able to go to that bigger and better grocery store and just go chocolate crazy! I have been having chocolate and coffee withdrawals and this place definitely fixed that! I got some chocolate covered peanuts, instant coffee mix, chocolate granola, ice cream bars, some almonds, and some bread (had to get some nutrition in there). I think I will finally be set on snacks for a while and I have dinners to last me some time as well. Finding that store (and the little Walgreens type place right next to it) was the best thing ever!