In Faulkner Land this weekend, things were fairly busy. We went to the high school football game Friday night, and Mike's family and my mom came to watch Austin conduct the band. He did a great job. It's hard to believe he only has two more games to conduct before his time as Drum Major is over. It's gone by very quickly.
On Saturday, Mike and I got up early and ran to our favorite breakfast place for an early morning date. The Original Pancake House in downtown Birmingham is wonderful. There are lots of families there and the food is great. Mike and I try to go at least twice a month just to "catch up" without interruption, and it's one of the things we enjoy most since the kids have gotten old enough to stay at home alone. We well remember the years of having to have a sitter or getting the kids to a relative's house for a very "planned" evening out. To be able to wake up and say, "You feel like breakfast out?" and then to actually be able to get up and go is wonderful.
Austin had his last band competition Saturday night. Mike went early to help with the equipment, and I got there in time for the scores to be announced. Since Austin was Drum Major his Junior year, also, this was his 4th competition as Drum Major and he had always gotten a 1 (Superior), but he had never gotten "Best in Class." That was his goal. When I arrived, I met up with Mike and he showed me the video. It was Austin's best show ever. (And just so you know, Mike and I were not the ones saying this. It was coming from other parents and people who really understand band competitions.) When it came time to present awards, Austin received a 2! He was the only 2 in all the sections and bands in his class. We were so upset... but then we watched him and he held his head high for the rest of the awards to be announced (which seemed like an eternity). When he came off the field, we talked to him a moment, and he was definitely upset, but as we backed away and watched the band, other parents, the band director, etc. slap him on his back, shake his hand, rub his head... really just wrap him up and support him... we headed to the van and went home to wait for him knowing he was going to be fine.
When he finally arrived home, he was calm and although still disappointed, he had started to put everything into perspective. Not the end of the world. Something to work on for the last two games. Hated to go out with a 2, but there were definitely worse things. By Sunday morning, he was "good to go," and I actually think I was more proud of how he handled his 2 than if he had won Best in Class. In so many ways, it is much easier to win than lose with dignity, and it showed me and Mike another way in which he is growing.
Time to focus on another kid! Roxie and I had set up a shopping date for after church and her one request was that we didn't have any time restraints (other than to be back by 6:00 for church again). Done. She loves to shop, try on and look for bargains... and she does a pretty good job. We came away with a couple of fall/winter shirts (on sale) and cinnamon pretzels (our favorite).
On Sunday nights when everyone gets home from church, we like to watch Amazing Race together. Mike had recorded the show in our bedroom... reminded everyone not to change the channel... and when everyone arrived home he went to the back to get the DVD only to find out SOMEONE had flipped over to the Food Channel to check out Ace of Cakes and forgot to flip it back to Amazing Race! ROXIE! She loves the Food Channel. As hard as it was, the four remaining Faulkners finally forgave her and we called it a night. It's okay... we'll catch it next week.
If you're wondering where the third Faulkner kid was during the weekend, Josh watched football, played football and lived football. This is his time of year. He had a great two days off from school.
Well, that was our weekend. Pretty standard by most accounts. Now to get to the first ever Party/Event posted on my new blog!!
Backyard Campout
The following is an easy, step-by-step plan for a backyard campout party. Lots of fun, but minimal work and clean up.
Backyard Campout Party (Boys or Girls)
Ages 7-9; 10-12; 13-15
Every fall and/or late spring we set up our tent in the backyard. I usually look for a long weekend because if the weather is good, you can sometimes have two campouts with two different sets of children. On Friday night, I may have my little girl and two or three of her buddies come over, and on Sunday night after church, I will let one of my sons have several of his buddies over. The tent stays pitched until everyone has had a chance to have their own campout.
What you will need:
Tent
Laptop computer (for movies in the tent)
Sleeping bags, pillows, blankets (each child brings their own)
Flashlights (each child brings their own)
Popcorn (Jiffy Pop over the stove for old-fashioned fun)
Cooler with water bottles set out in the tent (less damage with spills)
Crockpot hot dogs
S'mores (make these in the oven before you go outside for the campout)
Banana Boats (make these in the oven before you go outside for the campout)
SEE RECIPES FOR INSIDE S'MORES, BANANA BOATS AND CROCKPOT HOT DOGS ON TOMORROW'S BLOG.
Have everyone arrive around 6:00 or 6:30. By the time everyone sets up their gear in the tent, eats dinner inside or on the deck, makes s'mores, fixes the popcorn, and changes into their PJs, it will be close to 8:00. Once the kids are in the tent, let them watch their movie (not too scary or you'll be out in the tent all night with them).
When the movie is over around 10:00, if your husband is game, load the kids up in the van with their pajamas on and make a milkshake run to a local Sonic or Arby's for a fun surprise.
When they arrive home, let the kids come inside to brush their teeth, take a bathroom break, etc. Escort them to the tent giving them the "rules." We always tell them to stay in the tent unless they are coming inside the house. The door to our bedroom opens to the back deck and stays unlocked. We also keep the flood lights on so they can see easily when they leave the tent. They can come back into the house through our room, and I know when and if they are up and moving around. I set up comforters and blankets in the den off of our bedroom so if they decide they cannot sleep outside, they can make their bed on one of the sofas. So far, they've always stayed outside.
For the older guys, the same rules apply. However, since they are a little "braver" than the younger girls, I do set the alarm for 1:00 a.m. just to check and make sure everyone is accounted for and sleeping.
The next morning, we have eggs, bacon and biscuits. Depending on the weather, these can be served on the deck. Moms come to pick up the happy, but tired, campers around 10:00 a.m.
Since all the meals are being served outside on the deck or picnic style, there is little or no clean up inside the house. Also, all of the bedding goes home with the other children.
Just do a little dustbusting in the tent for the next campout.
We've had up to three campouts in one week during Spring Break, and it worked out well all three times. All of the kids had multiple friends over, with minimal mess and everyone had alot of fun.
Although we camp in State Parks once or twice each year, the backyard campouts are fun because they are easy spend-the-night-parties. While we usually like to just take family on the camping trips (or meet other families at the campground), this allows the kids to have their friends over to enjoy one of their favorite things.
Tuesday is "Recipe Day" and I'll post the easy, easy recipes for the campout food mentioned above. The kids can make the S'mores and Banana Boats themselves.
I'm working on the "picture thing," so I hope to add photos to the blog by tomorrow. Have a great day!
