Grandma Camp 2016 Carsland

 

 

The drivers arrived with pit crew and smiles. Some brought their own cars and there were also some that Grandma had borrowed. The first order of business was to stow the drivers gear and get on the same snack schedule. I had made brownies and cute them rectangular and used red yellow and green M&M's to make them look like traffic lights (Thank you Pinterest!). Talk about gone in 60 seconds!

Test drive in the clean, one-owner

Libby wants  minivan.

Up next was  Grandpa acting as a used car salesman! He is always full of bologna so it was not much of stretch! And wouldn't you know the kid that is usually the one to find or make a mess was the one that "bought" the oldest and rustiest and wagon! No matter the condition, the price was a kiss and a hug for Grandpa.
The older kids (aka pit crew) and grandpa had gotten together the night before and constructed a car wash. It turned out great! The prices are a little high, but that is to be expected when it is all hand wash and detailed!


If you look close you can see the water dripping

 

 
Now that the cars are clean inside and out it was time to add some custom detailing. I thought that the drivers would want elaborate whole body cut outs over the wagon but they carried out a much simpler idea and it worked out wonderfully. As long as there were flames, the boys were happy and as long as there was purple the girls were good, Libby really did make hers into a min van. The mom's and the pit crew the over 12 assistants) were a great help! The custom seating was the cushions from the patio chairs.

We ate lunch and then took a drive on Route 66 (the nearby canyon) because it was time to move and have a change of scenery. It was cool in the canyon and the hike was short and easy. Once back to Grandma's it was time to race some Hot Wheels on the track that Braddock brought with cars that each boy brought from home. Dinner and every meal was finger foods (breakfast was French toast sticks) served in paper cups inside dollar store caddies that the drivers took home after camp. The caddies had three compartments and fir perfectly on the edge of the wagon. The popcorn, treat and drink at the "drive in movie" were also served in the caddies.

Addie conducted a driving school.

 
Pool noodles wrapped around and through the banister made  great marble race! The drivers enjoyed the traffic light ball toss too. The movie was Disney's "Cars" of course. We had two drivers that fell asleep at the wheel! (That's how you know there was enough activity for them!)
The tent had previously been put up in the backyard and everyone fell asleep real fast.

Day 2      Race Day!

To beat the heat, we had the race around 10 o'clock at the elementary school close by. The original plan was to race all the way around the school but when we got there, the school was getting some new air conditioning and so we had to scale down a bit. This didn't hurt Grandpa's feeling at all since he ended up as the engine power for Libby! The kids worn their bike helmets, sunglasses or goggles and had a pit crewman to provide power and of course, be the pit guy! Each wagon was fitted with black (dollar store) paper plates over the tires so that the pit crew could change tires.

 

Drivers, Start Your Engines!

 

 The first pit stop included window wash (spray bottle to wash the goggles) and fuel (pool noodle gas hose).

The 2nd pit stop was for the paper plate tire change. Grandpa skipped this one and then went on to the checkered flag.

 

After lunch, the kids packed and played in the tree house while the assistants and Grandma built a cardboard tunnel to race through downstairs, There were  couple of dead ends and it was necessary to use a flashlight to get through it. 

 

 

 
When the parents came, the kids were excited to have them go through the car wash! It was a little too much water with no drain in the bottom of the "car" Brett got to go through in. It required a different hind of detailing!

 

It wouldn't be Grandma Camp without a piñata!

 

The trophy's were a small block with a dollar store trophy (or party favor) with a car glued to the top. That's what the picture t the top of the post is. I think the smiles say they had a fun time. I sure loved every minute of it!





LET THE GAMES BEGIN!!

 

The opening ceremonies were done as soon as all the kids had arrived. Each child except the two youngest, represented a country. The two youngest were each paired with an older assistant and represented the same country  the older cousin. Each had a flag (pvc pipe with a plastic flag from a banner purchased from Partyland). We then ran the battery operated torch, also purchased from Partyland. Each cousin passed it off to the next running it around the house  couple of times We ended at the back patio where the flags were posted for the remainder of camp. Since it was raining, we went to the church and did an indoor obstacle course. The older kids were a lot help and made sure that younger ones had fun and got lots of cheers.

 









After lunch, the sun was shining, so we went to the splash pad and playground. The teens took a nap while the younger ones got wet and then played. Upon returning to the Olympic Village, the athletes, did weight lifting (this was so that the weights could be put out of site and temptation!).
these kids are strong!

 We have great neighbors that let us use their backyard zip-line. We likened this to Alpine sports. Wouldn't you know that the two youngest were not one bit intimidated! It is a fun activity that all ages enjoyed.

 

 The athletes helped make the breadsticks to go with spaghetti and salad for dinner. Different cuisine from a few different countries were the meals. I have found that if the kids help with the meal preparation, they eat better. Takes time, but worth it!
It was going to rain during the night, so we were not able to sleep in the tent. I don't think the kids were disappointed as long as they got to sleep in their sleeping bags.
Breakfast was French toast sticks and orange juice. It is a winner with the kids since they get to eat with their fingers and dunk it in syrup.
Competition began after everyone was dressed. My assistants were on the ball and took right over. Grandpa was dubbed the scorekeeper, snuggler and medic.

trading "pins"

Each athlete had a lanyard which contained the flag from their country and some very small trading pin sized flags from their country to "trade" with someone who had done something nice for them



Archery

Showing lots of patience with his sibling!

The medic was giving massages to keep the athletes loose.



Hurdles! LOVE pool noodles at camp.
 

The height can be adjusted for the size of the athlete.

Stretching before the next event.

Pole vault, more points if the color of the noodle matches the ring it goes through.

The High Jump was a favorite for all.

 
 

The golf bll relay required some skill!

WE ARE GETTING IT TOGETHER...FINALLY

Finally got together quickly with the assistants! I have four this year and for the next couple years. It sure makes it easier. Grandpa just had a hip replacement surgery, so he is not able to do all that he usually does. He is trying to help as much as possible.
When we got together, I hauled out the scrapbook of Grandma Camps past and had the kids look at the last time we did Olympics to get some ideas. They had fun laughing at how little they were back then. This will be the first year that we have repeated a theme ad I thought for sure that they would want to do entirely new things. To my surprise, they chose to do the same events and a few more! That made it even easier!
I found some medals at the dollar store already on red, white, and blue ribbon. They are all gold though. If I get ambitious, I will paint some silver and bronze. Highly unlikely at this late date.
Once again, my favorite prop to use will be pool noodles!
The athletes will arrive and choose a country to represent from among the flags on a party decoration plastic banner. I will do some Internet surfing to determine which countries these flags are from and a little fun information on each one. Each flag is repeated on the banner which work out great since one flag will be attached to a dowel for the athlete to carry and post during opening ceremonies, and a second one to have pinned to each child's shirt as a uniform.
We will be going to a slash pad to do an obstacle course and have lunch on the first morning. Then back home to do a few events.
We will all cook dinner, the kids eat better if they are in on the prep. Each meal ill be from a different continent. We will emphasize eating well and staying hydrated.
I haven't got a clue as to what movie about athletes would entertain them all (aged 15 to 3). But I will get it figured out soon.
Saturday will be all fun and games! The camp will end with a the parents arrival at the medals ceremony where we will have pot luck dinner and piñata.
I will put the games and pictures on after camp next weekend!

WE ARE LATE!

Usually I have the older grandkids(over 12) join me for a few hours in the Spring to help decide on  theme and plan for Grandma Camp! Can you believe that I have not been able to get 4 teenagers together for that long to plan? I bet you can if you have active grands like I do!
For the last several years, well since he reached the ripe old age of 12, Jakob has wanted to do Grandma Olympics again. He was just 3 or 4 when we last did it as a camp. He was out voted before, so this year we are going to do it!
I know that all the kids will enjoy it, since all of those that participated last time did. Even though the picture is not the best, you can see that they had their own country, uniform (t-shirt), and lots of medals!
Where we live, it has turned really hot, really fast. That will mean that we will have to plan some activities in the shade or perhaps a few indoors.
I am excited to see what these kids will come up with! I just have to keep reminding them that we are on a budget! There are plenty of places and activities that we could do that would require money. I just cannot spend much and I want them to really use their imaginations and be resourceful.
I am getting nervous because nothing is sett including the date!
I will keep you posted.......