Kids are at camp

This morning we went to the 9:00 service at our church. There were definitely more people there this morning than last Sunday, but I'd say there were still fewer than 200 people at the 9:00 service, which is FAR less than usual. It seems many are still opting to watch online. Abby went to the 10:45 last week, and I asked her about the attendance, and she said there were very few people there last week. Since the sanctuary normally can seat 1,050 per service, it is quite easy to follow social distancing fewer than 200 people in attendance. It hit me this morning that I highly doubt the choir will resume in the fall. You can't do social distancing in a choir, and singing is considered to be more dangerous because of droplets flying out of your mouth while singing if you aren't wearing a mask. The youth chorale that Nadia and Ian were in last fall asked if we'd be interested in a virtual choir this fall. Nope. I have sung in an adult church choir every single year from 1986 to the present, but I might be taking a hiatus for the first time in 34 years. We shall see. 

When we came home I had the kids change into play clothes as I didn't want them to wear church clothes to camp. We had lunch and had some time at home before leaving for camp around 1:30. I delivered the butterflies (currently chrysalides) to the neighbors house because they are going to emerge while the kids are at camp. What a bummer. I thought other kids should be able to enjoy it if my kids can't. I asked them not to release the butterflies so my kids can see them on Saturday, and then we can release them. The kids at least did get to see them go from caterpillars to chrysalides. We stopped for gas and a bathroom break on the way there, and the registration process took about 40 minutes. We moved through the line in our vehicles because of COVID-19. The kids left the van once to have their temperatures taken and for a lice check. They passed both. To my knowledge the kids have never had lice. Then we helped them carry their suitcases and such near the entrance of their cabins. We weren't allowed on the porch or in the cabin because of COVID-19. Ian and Oliver are in cabin #12, and Nadia is in cabin #14. Normally at this camp the parents eat dinner on Sunday with the campers, but again because of COVID-19 we left right after we brought them to their cabins. We can send them emails if we pay $1 for 3 emails. I plan to send them each five emails. I sent them each one tonight.

On our way home we used gift cards at Panera to get a salad for my dinner and at Wendy's to get a chicken sandwich meal for Paul. I also bought two gallons of paint at Home Depot. This evening I spent 2 hours working on removing wallpaper border from Nadia's room. I put that border up in September 2008. I really liked the border, but it's Nadia's room and she didn't want butterflies and such on her walls. Repainting her room and removing the wallpaper border is a surprise gift from me to her. I hope she will love it when she sees it on Saturday! Oliver asked me if I was going to swim a lot this week while they are at camp. Nope. I won't swim at all until the kids are back. I am focusing primarily on projects around the house this week. I'll take my walks earlier in the morning so that I can go when it's a bit cooler out. I'm meeting a friend on Wednesday and getting my hair cut on Thursday. I already miss the kids, but I'm looking forward to crossing many things off my to do list this week. I can't wait to hear on Saturday morning all about their week at camp. I know Nadia really wanted to sleep on a top bunk. I can't wait to get answers to my questions about their week and also get some big hugs from the boys. I might even get a hug from Nadia since she won't have seen me for six days. I will be doing a better job of praying without ceasing this week. I'm praying they will have a lot of fun, it won't rain very much, they will not come in contact with COVID-19, Nadia won't get many mosquito bites, Ian won't get too much sunburn, Ian won't eat any nuts, they will make friends, they will learn some new skills (kayaking, hatchet throwing, etc.), they will be safe, and they will each draw closer to the Lord.