The last weekend of July Sydney and I flew to Chicago to spend the weekend with Abby at Culver for Parent's Weekend. Poor Derek was broken hearted he couldn't come, but someone had to stay home and play with Evan. Not only was I ecstatic to get to hug and kiss my baby girl, but having only been on the campus a couple of short times, I was very excited to get to see Culver is action.
The week before we flew out I received a phone call from the health center again informing us that Abby had had another accident. Her ankle injury with the horse had finally healed, but this time she had covered her eyes with a bandana and while playing with friends had run full speed into a HUGE tree and given herself a concussion. She had to spend the night in the health center so she could be monitored thru the night. I had assumed she had only hit her head, so I was very surprised when she came running up with a swollen and scabbed lip and nose.
I loved getting a little glimpse into Culver life and seeing how happy Abby was. Even though we had gone thru a nasty couple of weeks of homesickness, Abby was is great spirits and super exited to show and tell us about everything. Other than marching she told us about what a great time she was having. She has participated in swimming and track meets and her soccer team was doing great. She even spent a lot of time telling Sydney how fantastic it was and how much she would love it when she came (Syd said NO WAY!). Abby was excited to introduce us to all her friends and cabin mates. We got to see her perfectly made bottom bunk in Cabin 11 and meet the super sweet Captain Lambert, her counselor.
Saturday was by far my favorite day of the trip. We spent all afternoon attending Abby's classes: Reptiles and Amphibians, Arts and Crafts, Sign Language, Indian Crafts and Archery. After classes we met up with Dan and Marissa and spent a couple of hours out on the boat and swimming in the lake. And then it was overnight permit time. Not only was Abby able to get checked out, but her best-camp-friend Julia also got to come with us. We headed into South Bend and the girls were so excited to have a sleepover in a hotel with a pool, a television, a warm shower, and a yummy breakfast. Sunday we spent the day by the pool, watched television in bed and just relaxed. After we got sick of being so lazy, we decided to go to a movie and then grabbed some pizza with Grandpa.
Right before we'd left campus on Friday night Abby got stung by a bee on her ankle. It didn't seem to bother her so I didn't think anything of it.....but by the time Sunday night rolled around her ankle was swollen and aching and she could hardly walk. This meant she wasn't able to participate in the huge field parade and even though I was sad I wasn't going to get to see her in marching action, I was a little happy because I got to spend an extra hour with her right on my lap watching everyone else.
I loved every minute of my weekend with the girls at Culver. We did a lot of laughing and giggling and eating. After getting so many sad letters it was great to see Abby so happy. She was doing awesome in all her classes, she'd made so many new friends and she would be home in just 2 short weeks!
I'll bet that permit weekend was HEAVEN! As much as I LOVE Culver, I can only imagine the joy of going to a hotel, AND getting to take your best friend with you. Lucky, lucky ladies! That poor girl and her injuries - glad she made it out alive.
Posted by: melissa | August 31, 2010 at 09:39 PM