Sometimes I pull out the ‘genius’.
I get my mummy on and do something that may be deemed ‘family tradition’ worthy.
The fact that it stemmed from laziness and bedtime battle fatigue is beside the point…
Last night, we rolled out…. Camp Night In.
I had the great misfortune recently of having to purchase and sleep on camping equipment (great night; but BS to self inflatable mats…really…Like REALLY?). These bags and mats have now been dragged all up and down our home, pulled out, left for me to squash back in (surely someone needs to come up with a better sleeping bag holder method) and there have been real tears. Actually, let’s not pretty this up. Tantrums have been had as we have discovered our 5 year old playing ‘camping’ at bed time. My promises of ‘wait for the weekend’ were being called on and it was time I folded…happily might I add. We have air-conditioning in the lounge room and Sydney is experiencing a heat wave. Plus I knew I would get the couch; not just a pretty face, heh?
Being Saturday night, it was also the husband’s responsibility to get food on the table. This means I don’t have to think about it, shop for it or deal with the kids dramatic carry on about it. I will, however, happily contribute my ideas to the wine pairing. Of course, Lycra Legs can cook; I get food on the table week nights; come the weekend he re-enacts a segment from Jamie Oliver, including getting the kids involved with kitchen steps and knives(!!##**), creating beautifully designed sharing platters (just more dishes to wash FYI) and his annoying ability to freestyle recipes. I am talking twigs of rosemary and a sprinkle of thyme kinda stuff, and the kids bloody eat his vegetables with gusto. And might I add at this point; we had some prawns of the paddock – lamb cutlets. One way to empty the pockets. As kids of farmers, who grew up with bags of these blocking up the freezer, it still amazes me just how exxy they are- but, support your farmers, and all that.
It was time to unfurl the camping gear.
I was a couple of reds down at this point, to soften the blow, and HELLO- I remember you, Saturday night my old friend.
The painstaking positioning of mats and choosing pillows and teddies was a highlight and a genuine time killer. Oh the childish joy of not having to go to bed was infectious, despite sacrificing that golden hour or two of peaceful adult time at night. The movie had been selected that morning before 9am and remarkably there was no anguish of decision regret. Despite having just eaten dinner, the popcorn had to come out and just for future reference, this possibly should be done before setting up beds to avoid the unbelievable mess two small children and a Daddy can make with this stuff.
The lights were dimmed. Teeth and toilet sorted. Air con pumped. Movie on.
I sprawled across the couch, sipping wine and waving down at my husband who was secretly trying to scroll through bike porn on instagram without the kids noticing.
She needed the toilet again.
He was a bit scared of the dinosaurs.
A friend was texting me and I was overdue calling her.
Lycra Legs was snoring by 7.45pm.
The wine was finished.
I may or may not have dozed.
The credits rolled, last toilets was called and the littlies rolled over and went to sleep.
No bed time battle.
All of us together.
This camping gig with walls, air, toilets and a fridge, wasn’t too bad.
Camp Night In will be back.
Sometimes it’s the simple things.
Bloody loved it.
