I’m happy to say that Robin and I have now emerged, happy and intact, from another intensive week of “Cousins’ Camp.” On Monday, July 15, we traveled to Franklin, Tennessee, to pick up our two fifteen-year-old grandaughters, Audrey and Emily, our eleven-year-old granddaughter, Libbey, and our five-year-old granddaughter, Lily Grace. We returned to the Village the next day, and the rest of the week we had plenty of time to enjoy the girls.
We started “Cousins’ Camp” back in 2001 when the two older girls were only three years old. It was the first time either had been away from their parents for any length of time. Everyone loved it– the parents, who had some time for themselves—the girls, who had fun playing with each other—and Maddie and Granddaddy, who could slip back into our “parenting” roles and have fun with the girls without the parents around.
This year we visited Heifer, International Ranch up near Perryville, Arkansas. The last time we went, Audrey and Emily were only eight years old and Libbey was four. But this was the first time for Lily Grace to go, and we had so much fun seeing all the animals.
Here are a few photos from our visit to the ranch:
The baby rabbits were a big attraction.
And Abu, the camel, ate pieces of apple from our outstretched hands.
Hope all of you are having a fun summer too.
You have beautiful granddaughters, Maddie. I know they have so much fun at Cousins’ Camp. What a fun thing to do for them and with them. You are blessed!
Jamie
Thank you, Jamie. Our little three-year-old grandson, Sam, may get to join us next year. This year he wasn’t quite ready– or maybe I should say, we weren’t quite ready! He’s very active! Sam was here with his parents at the end of the week, though.
Love you,
Maddie
What a good topic for a blog post! 🙂
Hi, Anna,
We had such a great time! Thanks.
Love you,
Maddie
I salute you and Robin for your loving strength. Truly. Love, Barb
Hi, Barb,
Yes, it does take lots of stamina for us “old folks,” but the girls were well behaved and cooperative and we had a wonderful week. This week we’re resting up because Steve, Tonya, Lily Grace and Sam will be coming back to the Village this weekend on their way home from visiting Tonya’s parents in Tulsa. : )
Love you,
Maddie
Sounds like a lot of fun!
We planned something special for each day they were here, so we did have a lot of fun, but all that non-stop activity took its toll. : ) After they left on Sunday morning, I fell into bed early on Sunday and Monday nights and slept nine hours both nights. : )
Love you,
Maddie
Hey Maddie…
Great idea Heifer International! We have my youngest son and his family coming up for a long weekend, ages 14, 12, 5, and almost 2. Do you think they would enjoy the trip up? Anything else to see in that area?
Nine hours of sleep….way too much.
Please don’t edit my grammar or spelling.
Love to you and yours,
Rick
Hi, Rick,
Yes, I think your family would really enjoy it. Not sure about the two-year-old, but maybe the small animals would be fun for him or her too. We had a volunteer guide drive us around the ranch in a long golf cart, and she would stop and tell us about the different animals– water buffalo, sheep, donkeys, camels– and about their large vegetable gardens etc. We got out at the Show Barn and could see the smaller animals– goats, rabbits, pigs, chickens– up close. They also have a Global Village, with about seven or eight replicas of the types of villages and homes people live in where Heifer International works. We visited the Guatemala house and the Haiti slum house, but by that time we were all tired, so we left soon after that and drove to The Shack for lunch. : )
You need to call ahead and tell them you plan to come. Their number is on their website. There is no charge for the tour, but you can make a donation.
Have fun!
Maddie
I enjoyed hearing about your Cousins Camp. I know you had a wonderful time being with the girls. We certainly enjoyed ours in Canada. Barbara
Hi, Barbara,
Robin and I know how fortunate we are to be able to visit with our children and grandchildren several times a year. Many families are so spread out that it’s much harder for them to get together. I’m glad you and Bob were able to enjoy yours up in Canada this summer. I enjoyed seeing you again at the Friends of Coronado Center Library meeting on Thursday.
Maddie
[…] We hope Audrey, Emily, Libbey, Lily Grace, and Maddie and Granddaddy had a great time on their visit to Heifer Ranch during this year’s “Cousin’s Camp.” We enjoyed reading the blog post and seeing photos of the kids with the animals. […]
Thank you so much for responding to my blog. : ) Heifer Ranch is a great place for families to visit. Heifer International certainly does important work, helping needy families all around the world become independent by supplying them with animals to care for, sell, and use for their basic needs. Best wishes for continued success.
Ask “Pastor” Mike about his week @ Heifer Ranch in early July with “pastor son” Bill’s Youth from First Presbyterian Church, Wamego, KS. !!! 🙂
Merilyn, you’ve peaked my curiosity. : ) I’ll do that. : )
While we were there with the girls, we met a youth group and their advisors coming up the path after touring the Global Village. We only went to several of the third world countries’ homes, but some day I’d like to see all of them.
Love you,
Maddie
[…] is a top priority for her. She and her husband have had Cousins’ Camp since 2001. She says Cousins’ Camp is loved by all, “the parents, who had some time for themselves—the girls, who had fun […]
Hi, Mary,
Thanks for referring your readers to my blog. I’m so thankful that Robin and I have been able to have fun with our granddaughters at Cousins’ Camp for so many years. This summer we won’t be able to have it, though– our two older girls are sixteen now and busy with all their other activities, and Robin and I are getting older, too, and slowing down a bit more– but we’ll be together for “Thanksmas” in November. That’s when our three children and their families will get together here with us in Hot Springs Village to celebrate our family holiday time together.
Love you,
Maddie
Maddie, so glad that you and Robin have had so many wonderful years of Cousins’ Camp. Thanks for sharing that idea on our blog! Love you!