The circus that almost wasn't

     This summer, before starting kindergarten, Catalina is in summer camp. It's the same daycare, the same schedule mostly, but the kids in camp vary in age greatly. Pretty much all parents who work at my institute and have kids younger than 10yo have the option of bringing them back for "camp". Catalina loves camp, her teacher is very easy going, they have pancakes daily, popcorn and movies almost daily. This does not make mommy very happy, but after the military style environment of her last class I feel she deserves a relaxed (even if too relaxed...) atmosphere. Funny enough, Catalina learnt some bad language in camp, but she also learnt to be very confident and to fight for what she needs. I guess being around a bunch of 10 yo kids when you are only 5 does this to you...

   That being said, from day one of camp we were told that the kids will write, direct and act a play. They get to choose the theme, what happens and what character they want to be. The teachers of course guide them, but everything starts from the kids. I was waiting impatiently for the play, I have to admit. Few weeks in rehearsals I heard the theme will be the circus, and the week of the play I learnt the title as well: "The circus that almost wasn't". Silly, right? My daughter told me she will be a horse (not surprising considering her continuous obsession with ponies).

I remember being around 7-8yo and I had to recite a very short poem in front of all the parents. I was so scared and intimidated that I messed up somewhere at the second verse. While not awfully traumatic (I survived the shame...), I did not want Catalina to feel the same pressure that everything has to be perfect. Knowing how shy she can get I prepared myself that she will not go "on stage", but rather she'll come sit in my arms. Well, my little actress was beyond my expectations. She went there, in front of all the parents, sang the songs and when her turn came she said her lines clearly. She acted her part, laughed with her friends and everything just turned our perfectly.

Back in the classroom there were few more photo ops, and my proud daughter posed happily for mommy.

Bye bye mommy, I am playing with my friends now!

Summer camp is soon coming to an end. Big girl school is just around the corner and I'm holding my breath, scared, excited and very very curious. I'm hoping Catalina is just excited :)