6th Grade Camp Send Off

Josie has been SOO excited for her  trip to the Harz Mountains with her entire 6th grade class - all 125 students and 10 teachers.  Wow.  What a huge group.  Actually she had been so excited that Marty and I were worried that she might have been building it up so big in her mind that we feared nothing could live up to that and she would end up disappointed.
She had been packing and counting down to Monday, October 8th for weeks and weeks.  We checked and double checked that she had all the items on the packing list.  We tried different suitcases/backpacks so that she could choose the one she liked the best.  She went to bed Sunday night very excited for the next day.

Marty took Benjamin to school as normal on Monday morning and I rode my bike to the store to pick up a couple of bus snacks for Josie.  She didn't have to be at school until an hour later than normal - a fact that she rubbed in Benjamin's face more than once 😉

We put Josie's suitcase into my bike basket (I'm still amazed at what and how much I can fit into that thing!!)  Josie hopped onto Marty's bike after we put the seat down waaaaayyy low.  Marty jogged along with us riding the mile between our house and school.

When we arrived at school there were loads of excited students and anxious but mostly excited parents.  It was a huge group!  Marty and I waited with her or at least near her.  She was wrapped up by all of her equally excited friends.

Then it was time to load the suitcases and for the kids and teachers to board the bus. 
Everyone was in great spirits - teachers included. Marty and I gave her probably one too many hugs and too many kisses but she quietly put up with us.  You could tell that within her utter excitement there was just a touch of trepidation.  She boarded the bus and Marty sneaked up after her for one final picture.

Josie's AWESOME teacher.  She was up for retirement last year but "begged" the administration to stay one final year to see her class of then to be 6th graders through their final year of elementary.  She is incredible.  A true veteran teacher. 

We waved to her as the bus pulled away and she took off for a full week full of fun and adventure. We will miss you so much this week, Josie.  But we know you will have a blast!

In preparation for her leaving, we each wrote her a letter or two and mailed them even before she left in hopes that they would all arrive in time for her to get them while at camp.  Benjamin wrote the most classic little brother card.  Hahaha!!

It says "Hey Josie What's up! Are you having fun without me! If you are then stop having fun! Also it smells way better than when you were here! Also Dad keeps crying his head off! P. S. I want to show you how good I'm getting at cirsive (cursive) You are idiot (in cursive) Love, Ben