Another big CHECK! off the Summer To Do List: “sleep in a tent our whole family.” This one Owen had put on the list. He didn’t care where, or when, or how we did it. He just wanted it to be all five of us, all night, in a tent. Early in the summer Braydon and I made the executive decision that the first free weekend night we had, when the right weather hit (i.e., not pouring rain or sweltering hot), we would sleep in our yard in our tent. We were all excited about this idea, but none of us realized just how fabulously great this would become. Saturday night was the night. And after all is said and done, this one particular CHECK! off our Summer To Do List turned out to be — absolutely — a major highlight of our summer.
after a campy dinner of hot dogs and hamburgers on the deck, we made our way our campsite. we had already set it up earlier in the day.
as soon as we got the fire started, it felt like we were a world away.
Meera claimed her spot and quickly settled right in with all of her earthly bare necessities: bunny, cocoa, kitty, little kitty, blanket, baby, and cow. she acted as if she'd been camping her whole life and knew just what to do: get comfortable for a long night of doing "nothing" (i.e., everything).
the boys did what the boys do: they played and played and played in constant twinny motion. there is not much more exciting to a six year old boy than fire and smoke.
red wine by the fire. seriously, it felt like we were a world away from our day-to-day life. it felt like the opposite of mundane: magical.
Meera warmed up to the fire magic, and became even more enchanting than usual (which is about as enchanting as you can get).
and then the s'more-making commenced.
9pm is "very late" for our bambinos. and that is when the flashlights-in-the-tent playing began. with all three having the time-of-their-lives in there, Braydon and I finished our wine and drank in the sheer fabulousness of that night. eventually we all found our way back into our house to quickly change into p.j.s and get ready for bed. major perk of backyard camping = brushing your teeth in your own comfortable bathroom. another perk = falling asleep in the tent knowing that if a worst-case-scenario materializes, it is only a few steps to your own back door.
but the night went off without a hitch. it was perfect, actually. and Meera woke up completely amazed by the idea that she was still in the tent. she saw the "pink!!!" (i.e., sunrise) from our little netted window. her first time sleeping in a tent. and it was a huge success.
the morning brought hot coffee and warm milk in the tent (after just a quick jaunt to the kitchen by Mama). we lazed our way through a whole hour of early-morning-tent-chatter...
...before leaving our campsite...
...and making the trip back home...
It was magical.
Sounds great.
I’m again awed by your ‘backyard’…it looks like you’re in the wilderness! Sounds magical indeed. Now, please tell us…did all three kids fall right to sleep? Seems impossible–but it probably happened
What a great time!!! It does look magical. I think I need to borrow your tent. LOL!!
What fun! Wish I were camping with you. You are such great parents! xoxo
What a great idea!
How enchanting!!!