A Fish Called Caleb

As a last minute sort of thing we went camping this weekend with Chuck's sister's family. When Angel first asked me if we wanted to go I told her I would see what Chuck wanted to do and then see if I could get off work. Chuck and I talked about it and decided to go. Later that evening Chuck said, "Well, it could be fun." I looked at him, puzzled. He says, "We ARE taking FOUR kids." I smiled and nodded in agreement.
So anyway, we left about 6am Saturday morning, stopped at W*l Mart and got to the camp site around 8. It started out rough. Josh and Caleb were being total butt-heads. They talked about camping all week and couldn't wait to get there.... I don't know what their deal was but I told them I was ready to go home after being there for only an hour. They finally snapped out of it and started having fun. Suzie loved the freedom to roam between the two camp sites and Gracie fished with Chuck. She caught her first fish and reeled it in by herself.... it was just a little blue gill ...
Around noonish I took three of my kids ...Suzie stayed behind for a much needed nap ... and Brandon and Julia to the swimming area. When we pulled in Brandon asked if I would take him back... it was a man made beach area on the lake, not quite as attractive as an ocean beach... "Uh, no." So he walked down to the water with us. Being that it was a lake there was a fishy odor to the water. They hesitated getting in at first, but once they got in, we had a blast. Gracie had on a life jacket but wouldn't let go of me. A little bit later, she found her confidence and waded more than arms distance from me.
Later that afternoon, back at the camp site, they kept asking me if I would take them swimming again. I was tired and didn't feel like taking them by myself. Angel kept telling them to get in right there.... our camp site was right on the lake ... After much discussion, Brandon and Caleb finally waded into the water..... we saw a snake swim by earlier in the day which was the reason for their hesitation ...
They splashed and wrestled in the water, having a good time. Chuck reached for his pole and decided to see if the fish were biting. The current floated his line down stream and hooked Caleb in the thumb. Caleb began to howl and thrash around..... which sent Brandon fleeing the water as fast as he possibly could.(I'm sure he thought the reason for Caleb's dramatics was a snake bite)... if any of my kids are "dramatic" it would have to be Caleb. He is my 'drama prince' ... The way he carried on was like a deep sea fisherman hooking a Marlin.
I kept yelling for him to come closer to the shore so I could reach him. Every time the wind blew he howled some more... the current was pulling line, which was pulling on the hook... He finally came close enough for me to reach. Angel was standing on the small landing trying to help him in. It was slimy so she, of course, slipped in.
The huge dramatic display was over and the hooked was pulled out... it was in just far enough to stick... The prick in his finger didn't even require a band aid.
Like any camping trip, a storm rolled in. We packed everything up to keep it dry until the rain passed. But after an hour and a half, it was still raining. The girls were tired and getting cranky so we decided to head for home. We pulled into our drive about midnight. Everyone was dirty and stinky from our day of fun.... and I mean 'dirty', feet were black, faces smudged... Normally, I would have insisted on baths for everyone, but it was really too late and I was too tired to care. So we broke a cardinal rule and went to bed dirty... well, I took a quick shower...
Despite some aggrivation, we had a great time and are already talking about camping in the near future..... God help us...