Backyard Campout

Nick had a brilliant, ambitious idea last week: to have a campout on Saturday night.  With the backyard camping trip on the calendar, I made sure to load up on foods appropriate for an outdoor feast (which was always my favorite part of camping.)  During naptime on Saturday, Nick erected the tent that I got him for Christmas a couple of years ago, and I prepped all the fixin's for our cookout.  Emmy awoke from her nap and sprung into preparation-mode as well.  After inspecting the tent, she took it on herself to set it up for she and Nick to sleep in, complete with their sleeping bags, pillows, water sippy, jammies, Barbie and Ken.  After everything was set up to her liking, she changed into her jammies and started "helping" Nick prepare the wood for our "campfire."  We grilled out for the first time of the season and enjoyed the seventy-plus degree weather with dinner on the deck.  After Sissy ate the last olive from her fingers, we got out the marshmallows, chocolate and grahams and lit up the fire bowl.  With Sissy bathed and in bed, Nick, Emmy and I hung out by the campfire, told stories, looked at the stars and laughed.  Emmy was her wonderfully vibrant self, but kicked up ten notches.  She was on top of the world...Nick and I laughed when she dutifully ran inside to go potty, that she was referring to us as "guys." She loves being in the middle of things.  Around nine thirty, I turned in (in the comfort of my warm bed, of course) leaving my Nick and my Emmy outside.

I woke up repeatedly throughout the night, checking Nick's side of the bed, certain that he'd be lying next to me.  But that wasn't the case.  I finally got up at 630, absolutely astonished that Nick and Emmy were still outside.  Ten minutes later, I watched them emerge from the tent, both with smiles on their faces!  I asked Emmy later if she was cold or if she was cozy sleeping in the tent with Daddy, and she informed me that she was cozy.  Come to find out, she and Nick cuddled all night long...His sleep was a bit broken, but I don't think it much mattered since his dream of snuggles with Emmy had come true.  Nick actually said it was easier to get her to sleep in the tent than it is to get her to sleep in her bed...All he needed to do was tell her they were playing the quiet game and she was out (granted, it was a little after 10 PM, but still.)  

Such a special experience; and the first of many backyard campouts, I'm sure. :)

Moving in.

Emmy had placed Barbie and Ken with their heads on her pillow.