Camp Auntie

That last few years, my nieces & nephews have spent Christmas break with me.  It's been such a blessing to spend time with the kids... getting to know them better, watching how they interact with each other, going to the movies and baking cookies.  But, I think they enjoy bedtime most, after I go to bed, they stay up talking and laughing what seems to be all night long!

I am the grandma to one amazing grandson.  We don't spend a lot of time together, but I completely enjoy creating a place where he and his cousins become the best of friends!  It warms my heart when we pray together before each meal and every night after being tucked in.

As the "Camp Director" I organize the camps... fully scheduled from the time the kids arrive until they go home.  The activities are varied and include crafts, games, activities & outings.  During the summer, I offer a week-long themed vacation bible school and during Christmas break, I offer Christmas Camp for not only my grandson, but my school-age nieces and nephews too!

My goal for "Camp Auntie" is to provide a fun and enriching experience for the children to strengthen family bonds, create memories, help build love & friendships between the siblings and cousins.  But most of all, share the love of Jesus Christ!

Christmas Camp Schedule 2012

Tuesday

6pm          Dinner - Who Roast Beast, Who Hash, Who Trees & Grinch Punch

7pm          Craft - Place Mats

8pm          Movie - "Brave" & "Open Season 3"
10pm          Bedtime

Jr's Placemat

Andy's Placemat

Maddie's Placemat

I wanted the kids to know how to set the table.  Everytime we ate, they used their placemats.

Getting ready for "Brave" on the projector.

Finally!

Sometimes, the adolescent elephant will throw itself upon the ground as a sign of extreme emotional distress, commonly known as a "tantrum."

Wednesday 

8am          Breakfast  - Green Eggs & Ham

9am          Shower & Brush Teeth

10am        Games - Board Games

1pm          Lunch - Sandwich, Chips & Grinch Punch

3pm          Outing - Ice Skating

7pm          Dinner - English Muffin Pizza

9pm          Movie - "How the Grinch Stole Christmas"

11pm          Bedtime

Jr showed the kids how to play Monopoly.  He was the WINNER!!!

Maddie was the banker.  She came in second and had A LOT of fun!

Everyone was having fun, UNTIL... the bank needed to exchange money...

Ice Skating at LA Live

Andy jumped on the ice and took off, while everyone else stuck to the wall.

Andy got a blister and turned in his skates

Jr was the first one on and the last one off the ice

Before we knew it, everyone was skating on their own!

Jr got to keep his wristband

Thursday

8am          Breakfast - Green Eggs & Ham

9am          Shower & Brush Teeth

11am         Outing - Monsters Inc. 3D 
1pm          Lunch - Hot Dogs
2pm         Free Play - Video Games
4pm         Craft - Silhouette/All About Me

6pm           Dinner - Chicken Nuggets, Mac & Cheese & Grinch Punch

8pm          Movie

10pm        Bedtime

Hot Dogs, Popcorn & Soda.  Crazy Uncle Luke went in his slippers!

Turns out I couldn't get through the day with out a nap.

Thank you Uncle Raymond & Uncle Luke

for taking over Camp Auntie while I napped!

Uncle Raymond kept these guys busy with helicopter target practice!!!

Even Athena got in on the action

Bedtime Movie... 
projector provided by Auntie Leticia & Uncle George

Friday - Candy Shop Day

8am          Breakfast - Green Eggs & Ham

9am          Shower & Brush Teeth

10am        Pack Up

11am        Outing - Logan's Candy Shop

1pm         Auntie's Express Drop Off

Awwwww!  I forgot to take the camera to Logan's Candy Shop!  The kids had fun checking out all the candy.  

Leticia's grandbabies went to Logan's Candy Shop too!

Hi Family & Friends!

I've been wanting a space to keep you updated with my crazy projects & stuff.  I'm not too sure, but I think this blog will be the avenue I use.

Maybe we could use this in lieu of the Annual Christmas Newsletter.  This way we could include ALL of our stuff... you know, your stuff too.  Our friends and family are always wanting to see pictures of your kids and things you are up to.  So anyway, just consider it.

Love You,

Lena

Andy's 4th Birthday - Pirate Party

Andy's 6th Birthday - Carnival

I've been loving the blogs about birthday parties and weddings.  The ideas you all have are just amazing!  Truly inspiring.  I wanted to share my grandson's Carnival Party.  My 5 sons dressed as carnival folk who ran the games, the girlfriends wore clown aprons and took care of the goody train, my girlfriends and family helped with everything else.  I know I completely went overboard... but it was so fun!!!

Everything I did was done as cheap as possible.  I used free cardboard, and found paint in the "oops" section at Home Depot.  Oh, I used my cricut machine like crazy!!!  I did have to buy the carnival cartridge. I had so much fun with this party!

I meant to add yellow and white drapery from the bottom of the sign
to hide the yucky fence, but ran out of time.

Everyone had to guess the number of Hershey Kisses in jar.  It was so hot I had to keep moving the chocolate.

I loved this train idea.  By far, the Funnel Cake was the favorite!

My two Great Danes, Athena & Zeus had their own space!
With a sign which said,  "Please Don't Feed the Lions".

Back drop to all the "shows"...
Balloon Animals,  Magic Show (poor Avi, his finger was cut off and had to cancel),
Cake Walk,  Carnival Bingo, Birthday Cake!

Cake Walk

Had a basic carnival  menu.  Took out my screens to use windows as the "pick up" window.

Cutest Centerpieces I saw online!  

Dessert Table!!!  Sugar Overload!!!

My niece, Kyra, makes incredible sugar cookies!  Her work just gets better and better!

I made all the volunteers' costumes, since I love wearing costumes!   I began with wonderful costumes, but because July is so hot I ended up with tank tops and shorts for my sons.  I just painted on the ties/buttons/lapels/etc.

I found a black tux with tails at the thrift store... made in 1936!  I  took off the arms and covered with ringmaster fabric!  FYI.. my husband is on the right.  I couldn't believe he actually wore a costume.  He even tucked in his shirt.  He had just lost 100 lbs!

Richie walked around passing out goodies.

The kids loved face painting then taking pictures at the photo booth.

Carnival Games - Darts, Milk Bottles, Football Toss, Basketball Toss, 

Bean Bag Toss, Gold Fish, Rubber Duckies.  

 

  

And of course, swimming!

My sister, Leticia, my sistah, Denise and I.  I ran out of time, so I just wore an apron I made.

Uncle Hank & Aunt Esther

Notice, I made the front of our house "Andy's Cafe".

Andy stood up and thanked everyone for celebrating his birthday with him.  So sweet!

Sister, Leticia... Brother, Carlos... and me, Lena

Raymond & Peanut... best friends

Tight Rope Walker Maddie

Although we didn't use tickets, I made the Ticket Booth as the Welcome area.