We started our Pioneer Day the night before by camping in our backyard. We seemed to be surviving our week okay without Line since she was at the 1st Annual Grandparent Retreat... But this night was really hard for Mom and Dad. We missed you, Line! We still managed to have a spectacular time. I know, Line, you're shocked that life went on without you!
It seems we usually do this sort of camping activity with a group, and so it felt different to be just us. Different but sweet. The girls had such fun swinging in the dark, playing in the tent, pigging out, playing card games, and being silly. If there was any doubt before, we now know for sure that Eli hasn't quite developed any sort of "quiet" voice. We kept trying to tell her that it was now dark and we needed to be respectful of our neighbors...she just kept forgetting.
The girls were doing the age-old trick on Mom and Dad while they were eating their hot dogs with ketchup, that they were "bleeding"...girls, we're on to you. We've already done all your tricks. Just remember that for your future teenage years...we know all the tricks so don't even bother trying to pull them over on us! By the way I have to add, for no other reason other than I think it's cute, that Malia is our one and only child who likes to eat hot dogs like her Mom and Dad...with the works. For her that means ketchup, mustard, and sweet relish. We'll have to introduce her to all the other possibilities soon...yummmy.
Eva seemed perfectly content to just sit with her Dad and be mesmerized by the flames of the campfire. What is it about sitting around a campfire that, for us, seems to bring peace, introspection and reflection? Naki and I really enjoyed sitting together by the fire and just visiting with each other. Who wouldn't like to sit and visit with this guy? I am the luckiest...
We of course had to have s'mores. I ate one, although I'm not sure what's wrong with me. These days they seem to be just a little too sweet for my tastebuds. What's happened to me that a s'more doesn't taste good anymore? If that is what getting old means, then I for sure now really don't want to get any older! Eva, however, didn't seem to have any problems with her s'mores. Well, no taste problems, at least. But a whole lot of sticky hand problems.
Somehow, I'm not sure how it happened, but Naki convinced me that he should be the one sleeping inside to listen for Ane, who slept in her crib, while I slept under the stars with the girlies. I love sleeping outdoors, especially the smell of the fresh air when I wake up in the morning. But I must say, this body isn't made for sleeping on the hard ground. It's time for me to invest in some sort of padding to put under my sleeping bag.
The girls had such a fun time, and are convinvced that we need to do this again, soon. Line most especially wants a repeat performance so she can be there this time. We'll see...we'll see.
