Sunday, October 9, 2011

When all the little ants are marching...

Red and black antennas waving
They all do it the same
They all do it the same way
-Dave Matthews Band, "Ants Marching"

So, the answer you're dying to know after Friday's post about checking off backyard camping from THE LIST - did they make it through the night? Why, yes they did!

I was afraid it would take forever for the excitement to wear off and for Jay to settle into his sleeping bag, much less go to sleep. But apparently that was not a problem. Derek said "It's dark, so I guess it's time for us to go to sleep." And Jay said "Okay!" and curled up and drifted off to sleepy land. (Maybe we should try that indoors!  Could it help with the daily jack in the box routine?)

We have 2 identical sleeping bags, and we had zipped them together to make one really big sleeping bag. Jay curled up right beside his Daddy in their mega sleeping bag, and they were toasty warm. He wriggled out a time or two but managed to get back in before he turned into a popsicle. And they even slept in until after 7:30 - a weekend record!

There was just one problem - perhaps the song intro gave you a hint. After I got Luke settled in his crib, I took them each a mug of hot apple cider. (Just call me Martha Stewart.) They were thrilled, and I left them giggling away as they sipped cider. Apparently, someone (who will remain nameless) spilled his cider in the tent. Oops. Yes, I did give them travel mugs with lids. They managed to keep the spill contained to a far corner of the sleeping bag where it didn't interfere with sleeping. But in the morning they found a trail of tiny little uninvited guests - a whole bunch of picnic ants. Not great, but as far as tent invaders go, it coulda been a whole lot worse.

All in all, it was quite a success.  Just prepping for the day when he will camp out in front of Reynolds Coliseum for sideline basketball tix.

After the tent-sleeping adventure, Jay couldn't get enough of the camping thing. He convinced LaLa and Popper to fire up their chiminea for a little marshmallow roasting on Saturday evening. Then he convinced them to do it again tonight when we went over for our Sunday night dinner.










I'm tellin' you folks - I love me some October. Happy fall, y'all!

4 comments:

Brandi G. said...

Wow, I got what I wished for--the follow-up camping post. That is just so sweet! I am baffled as to how they could sleep so long, because camping isn't usually THAT comfortable. I just hope Jay doesn't ask to camp out every weekend. Or every night. It will be hard to convince him it's not an option all the time if so. :-)

Your Martha Stewart line cracked me up!

Crystal said...

Love the pic of you and Luke at the end!!! The boys are just practicing for the fall festival- campires, smores, and snuggling weather. I agree fall is the best.

Jamie said...

LOVE LOVE LOVE all those pictures of my favorite people. And I agree with Crystal... that one of you and Luke at the end is precious.
And I have to know... it was Derek who spilled his hot cider wasn't it?!?!

Ginger said...

I remember backyard camping when I was little. It was so much fun! Do I see Jay and Luke making some s'mores? YUM!