Alex - Outdoor Ed

Do you remember a few years ago when Connor went to Outdoor Ed? You can look back at those pictures HERE.

I dropped Alex off at the school in the morning so that he could board the bus that would take him to Estes Park where he would spend 2 1/2 days.

I was excited for him and a little nervous to be sending my "little boy" (yeah right) off into the wilderness by himself. A few days before, he and I had taken our handy dandy "packing list" and off we went.

1. Hiking boots? Check (which he hardly even wore.. I couldn't have picked that one)

2. Extra socks? Check

3. Rain poncho? Check (another item I was sure would never see the light of day or rain as it were, haha, there is just nothing cool about a rain poncho for a 12 yr old boy)

4. Whistle? Check!! (My favorite item. I have always been terrified of losing a child in the wilderness, I think that would be one of the worst things that could happen, of course he thought it was the silliest thing ever to have to wear it, even after I explained how it could come in handy. I don't think he was convinced but at least he took it)

5. Two (yes two) disposable cameras? Check! (Mark and I agreed we would probably not see any pictures and would be surprised if the camera's made it home, but hey it was on the list and who knows he might surprise us.)

6. A silent reading book? Check! (This had to be my favorite. Can you imagine 5-6 boys in a room by themselves, up in the mountains, taking time for silent reading??) I think I literally laughed out loud when I read that one.  Although Alex told me that one boy (bless his heart) did want to read and continually asked the others to quiet down so he could read. This is the same boy who wanted lights out at 7 pm because he was tired. I would have to guess he was probably good and wore his rain poncho and brushed his teeth at least twice a day every day too. (Probably even let his dear mom walk him to the bus and not drop him in the parking lot, more on this below).

7. Deodorant? Check!!  (I think this one was actually underlined! HAHA. Again imagine 5-6 boys in a room after a day of hiking and running around. I may or may not have reminded Alex of this several times to which he finally said "Mom, you are repeating yourself"!! Okay, it's just that as much as I love you.......you stink)

So now he was ready. I took off work a couple of hours so I could take him to the school where they were all meeting up to get on the bus. As I pulled into the parking lot I noticed that some parents were walking their kids to the buses, others just dropping off. I told Alex I would park and walk him to the bus (ok I admit, I said it mostly for his reaction, haha) I knew good and well he wouldn't want me walking him to the bus and hugging him good bye in front of everyone. Something about 12 year old boys (at least mine) they don't like their Mom's hanging around. Anyway, I relented and pulled in to a spot near the back so no one would see me giving him a hug. I was really doing just fine with everything until I went to hug him and he stopped mid embrace and looked at me and said "Hey Mom, I'm taller than you"!  Then came the waterworks. I guess it was all I had in me to not dwell too much on the fact that going off on his own on his first middle school trip meant he was growing up. But then for him to say that. Anyway, he looked at me kind of funny like "why are you crying mom"?  He slowly backed up and waved and said "Well....bye mom" and walked away. Just left me there looking like a crazy person with tears rolling down my face!

I have a feeling he was thinking that he didn't know what his crazy mom's problem was but he had to get away before one of his friends saw what was unfolding. LOL!

Maybe one day, when he has kids of his own, he can look back and understand what all the hubbub was about, or maybe not. Either way kiddo, you are stuck with me.

Turns out he had a great time. When I picked him up at the end, he dove in right away, animatedly telling me all about it! Not even one mention about my breakdown ;)

Unfortunately he didn't get any pictures (who would have guessed that one ?)