I’m feeling entirely uninspired today, as sleep training the twins is not going well. I feel like we’ve had 3 pretty easy months (as far as sleep goes), and less than a week before Patrick starts residency, the kids decided they do not want to sleep. Day or night. No sleep. Ever.
But…today is a big day! It’s Father’s day and I’ve been absolutely blessed in my life to have my own dad, my amazing husband, his dad, and my two grandfathers. I’m so lucky to have such supportive, loving, respectful, and caring men in my life and I’m so very, very thankful (especially on a day like today), that Patrick is the father to our children. His mild manner, soft touch, dedication, and compassion keep us all grounded.
On a lighter note, today would have been opening day at Brush Ranch, were it still in operation. This day always marked the real beginning of summer for me. My station on opening day was at the front gate to greet every single carload of kids that arrived. I loved doing this because it meant that I knew when everyone arrived, who was first, who was last, and every little kiddo in between.
Thought I’d share this little gem, a Brush Ranch postcard from the late 60’s (courtesy Rachel Maurer)
The excitement and anxiety that opening day brought to so many kids (and staff) is somewhat indescribable unless you’ve been there yourself. This day marked a summer full of fishing poles, swimming pool, ballet slippers, horses, tennis rackets, capture the flag, cookouts, dances, rodeos, skeet shooting, ropes courses, fly tying, care packages, letter writing, homesickness, life lessons, slumber parties, sneaking out, coke floats, hikes, views, rain, river wading, sunshine, dirt, salmon eggs, puddle jumping, and lifelong friends.
Sorry this is quite a short post, I must go back to my screaming children…who have been “crying it out” for at least 30 minutes now. GO. TO. SLEEP. BABIES!!!!
Fantastic Alden! Opening day is like no other for sure. I’ll never forget my first. It was summer 1995. I’d been at the ranch for 3 weeks getting ready. Basically playing and letting your dad work me like his personal slave. Then I’m told to clean up, put on a white staff shirt, and grab a radio. Then they came in waves. By sundown I looked at my little herd in boys camp and thought. OMG your parents just left you with me. Now what. Then it was a blink and they were gone.
Hi Alden… Angie Bartush Caballero here. I loved opening day because I finally got back to that little part of heaven on Earth for a month as a camper and then ALL summer as a counselor. Working all those summers(6) at Brush Ranch was an honor no matter how many stalls I mucked! : ) ( and if I remember correctly we almost always had ham and green beans for the first meal.) I was home,…(at least my summer home)
To this day, at the end of May first of June, I always think about packing up for camp. even my kids, both my students and my own kids will hear me say “it is time to get ready to go to Brush Ranch”. It is time for me to go to my favorite place in the whole world.
By the way I have a few pictures of you when you were just a little wildflower with lots of power for your grandmother and your Mom and Dad. Love you all.