Living at the edge of a woods makes a “get-away” moment possible with but a walk to a window. Seasons creep by, leaf by leaf -unfurling, rippling and then finally flying free to rest upon the remnants of last year’s foliage. Adventure is but a footstep away. Add a tent and half a dozen fourth grade boys, and it’s becomes the ideal setting for a memorable birthday party.
OK. There was the “spider emergency” at midnight, deftly handled by my oldest son Zach. And, when my bedside walkie-talkie squawked at 3 in the morning, I was duty bound to walk out barefoot with an umbrella to verify that it was only a restless sleeper and not a cry for help. Around 5AM after a steady downpour, I found them all in the garage, still clutching their flashlights as they laid out wet sleeping bags, and herded them into the family room to finish out the night in a makeshift camp of spare blankets and sheets.
After breakfast, basketball, skateboarding and another trip into the woods they were ready… to keep playing. I was ready for a nap.
The tent wasn’t looking so bad…
My hat’s off to you! I hope you found time for a cozy nap. Doesn’t it always rain on those backyard camping plans?
Such a great story!
Camping at Home， What a great idea, The children must so exciting about that!
We do this quite often around my house during the break between summer vacations. My boys along with half tof he nieghborhood, tear my shop apart and fish out the camping gear and then place it on the ground, like that they all just accomplished something. Then they come and get me….”Pleeeezzzzz Mr. Clardy!” Its a never ending thing.
Whats so funny is, I built a two story tree house for them a few years ago with blood sweat and tears, but they choose the 6 man tent time after time.
Great personable story Heather. It made me
I really enjoy listening to your adventures..you have the perfect voice for it..
I tagged you, the tag game is on my “struggling Parents” blog. yay..;)
I had my similar tent been blown away after coming back from a stroll along the seaside.
It was really an experience.
Intrepid: I gave Matt a six-man (read “four” at max) tent for his 8th birthday, and he’s been camping next to the garage ever since. -Wish I’d had one when I was his age!
Patrick: It’s one of our better birthday party ideas, I think. The walkie-talkies are key (“Mom, we found three spiders!” “Mom, the guys need more pretzels”)…
iWalk: Camping in the yard -within easy reach of bathrooms, mom and food- is a comfortable stretch toward “independence” (for both mom and son!).
Brad: -Not surprised that you’ve got campers over there! Matt’s been asking about a tree house for the past year or so. Uh oh (that supportive mom part of me is wondering how hard it could really be…? Tell her -quickly- that it’s a bad idea!).
mee mOe: Thanks for thinking of me! I’m a little behind on tagging lately, but always enjoy visiting your websites. Happy Mother’s Day to You!
Rainfield: Not a good feeling, I’m sure… I’m wondering if you ever found if or if it washed up on some other beach!
It sounds like a birthday your son will remember for a long time! What a good mom to let him have that many boys over. The most we’ve had over is four and, wow, was that one long night!
I finally figured out how to follow your blog!
Happy Mother’s Day!
Trisha: They wore themselves out pretty well on their own which worked in my favor! If it weren’t for all that rain…
wonderful!!
you are amazing..
Brexians: Not “amazing”, just sleep-deprived on a regular basis…
At any rate, it was fun!