Backyard Camping

Last Sunday night, Sam came up with the idea that he wanted to go camping in the back yard. Chris and I agreed that at the end of the week, on Friday, we would undertake the big event. Sam was SO EXCITED!! He came home from school Monday afternoon with pictures of what the campsite would look like (the tent, the fire, his family, etc.). All week long he talked about it. On Friday morning, we went over what we were going to do that day. As soon as I mentioned it was Friday, he yelled "We get to go camping tonight!" No backing out now! Here's our adventure in pictures....

Helping dad carry the camp chairs out.

He wasn't quite tall enough to help set up the tent.

What's better than playing inside a tent? Not much according to my boys.

Note to self: Buy Chris a hatchet for Christmas.

Our set up for the evening.

Lots and lots of this stuff was applied all night (that didn't keep the mosquitoes from
attacking me over and over though).

Happy to bring daddy's sleeping back outside.

He's so cute sitting in his little chair.

Bella hung out all night (till I discovered that she was being attacked by the mosquitoes too).

A little wrestling.

Fascinated by the fire.

Chris tried to find a ghost story to read to Sam.

Meanwhile, Isaac just wanted to play in the tent.

Beautiful evening!

Roasting marshmallows.

Fun with the flashlight.

Sam reading me a book he wrote.

Ready for bed with his two best pals, Mickey and Frog.

Good night!

How I left the big boys...

So, about half an hour after I tucked the boys in, they found their way back inside the house for the evening. Even though Sam was way excited to spend the night outside, he still found a couple things to complain about and Chris persuaded him that maybe it would be more comfortable to sleep inside. All in all, Sam had a great time and can't wait to do it again!