All the Chicks Are in the Nest

Our oldest daughter got home from summer church camp yesterday.  She rushed off the bus yelling, “Mommy!!!!,” and immediately told me how happy she was to be home.  She says she had an ok time, but nothing like the fun and frolic of last year.  Has something to do with this year’s youth leaders, apparently, and some extremely chatting cabin mates.  The numerous freakish insect bites and non-working camp showers added to some of the discomfort, too, I guess.  As she sat down in the air conditioned car, she let out a loud “Ahhh…” at the cool condition, and immediately asked to listen to some music.  All electronic devices were forbidden at camp, so she hadn’t heard any tunes for five days!  It’s funny what you come to miss when you’re out of your element!

We made a big show of surprising her with the piano when we got home.  She actually screamed and jumped up and down, she was so excited!  She was also very touched with her new “space” back in the former breakfast nook.  I know she’s looking forward to adding her own touches over the next several days.

The younger kids were sooooo happy to see her.  And for her part, my daughter was very patient with their chorus of excited “Guess what?”s and “Oh, Hannah!”s.  Before she could even hit the bathroom, she sat obediently and watched a puppet show they had been rehearsing for her all week.  It was wonderful to see the love oozing this way and that.

We kept up the family festivities by taking the gang to dinner last night (kids eat free!).  It turned out to be a perfect evening – kids were fun and well-behaved, husband and I were cracking each other up, everyone ate every single scrap of food on their plates.  Then we came home and curled up on the couches to watch “Jumanji” together.

It was so nice going to bed last night, knowing everyone was happy and home and together.  It’s now 10am on a Saturday morning, and the kids are just starting to stir from their night of sleep.  I wonder if somehow they felt their own sense of happiness and security, and decided to let the day linger without them waking at the crack of dawn.  I myself am just enjoying the lingering feeling of happiness at a family together again.

You might also enjoy these related posts from Tree, Root, and Twig:

1. Full Nest Communications
2. Blessings in the Bird’s Nest

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