The Book of Mormon: Neighborhood Chapter

Images from the wildly popular Ciao Italia...

 ​At Ali’s first playdate with her classmate AnnaLee, I discover that AnnaLee is the seventh of seven children.  Who knew?  There’s her mom Jocelyn, calmly sitting with me in her family room, the aroma of sour dough bread baking in her kitchen.  (I’m thrilled when all three of my kids get a decent breakfast, like when I manage to toast store bought sour dough.)  “Mormon or Catholic?” I blurt out (because what are the odds?). 
 
Turns out, being Utah-adjacent, there are tons of Mormons in our community.  This has shifted our LA perception from: “You have THREE kids?!  WOW!” to “Only three, huh?” (To which I shrug and say, “We have to keep it small. Our dog is special needs.”). 
 
I lament to Jocelyn that until Jory gets more clients in Albuquerque, we don’t have the funds to participate in pricey summer camps (Not pricey by LA standards. Pricey by “we need clients” standards).  I try to rally my depleted energy for a summer of Camp Mom.  
 
As we slowly get to know each other, Jocelyn gives us a hot loaf of her famous sour dough bread, and eggs from her chickens. In return, I help her navigate the threat her daughter also receives on the playground (see May blog). 
 
While I have had my fill of religion for this lifetime (and the next) and we have an amazing tiki bar next to our pool, we somehow pass in the community as “Mormon-acceptable.”  Through Jocelyn, we are approved to participate in the invite-only BCA (Bear Canyon Academy).  
 
The BCA is pure genius. (Ever so much better than Camp Mom).
 
All BCA families live within a mile radius. Every family must provide five hours of free instruction/fun. Parents choose their class’s topic, age range, and must open it up to at least five other kids (counting our three, we end up with ten).  With my semester in Siena and Jory’s cooking abilities, we create “Ciao Italia”, two classes of 2.5 hours on Saturdays. I teach the kids basics about Italy (the flag, Roman history, cities, Italian culture, food) then Jory and the kids (first week) make a lasagna and garlic bread, (second week) individual pizzas and group gelato.  While the food is cooking, the kids play (Marco Polo, natch) in our heated pool.  We then feast on our Italian food, Dean Martin crooning in the BG and it’s pick up time.  We had our first session this past weekend and it was a BLAST. The kids were surprisingly well behaved.
 
In return, our kids get 25 HOURS of FREE camp time.  Lillie attended “Table Top Battles”, in which she learns all about medieval castles (murder holes included) then constructs a realistic castle out of cardboard and legos, complete with catapults (that fire mini marshmallows).  She also signs up for a robotics class and a portrait class. Ali registers for five hours of water Olympics, sew instruction, and completes five hours of yarn crafts, with four girls her age. Ty has baking, science fun, Prince Warrior manner (etiquette) classes (please may they stick), and art crafts.  The girls monthly have “Night Games”, three two-hour sessions at dusk in which 20 kids and two parents organize rounds of Ghost in the Graveyard, Kick the Can, Red Rover…..
 
It’s like a rebooted version of the 1950s. Everybody knows everybody (we’re the new kids on the block). Everyone is clean cut, devoted to family values, and eager for their kids to learn and have fun away from electronics.  There’s no waivers, fees, commute.  Everyone gives their best, so their kids get your best. The program is only as strong as the participants, and it’s strong, because the community expects it and holds each other accountable.  (What am I going to do in July?? LOL)
 
Granted, I’m the only mom not in a mini-van, the only one over 43, the only one who knows a foreign country from not being on a mission, the only one without family in Utah, the only one who can’t sew or bake bread, doesn’t go to church, and drinks. 
 
Viva la differenza!
We’re not in LA anymore…