The Cabin Oh-Nine
We pinkie promised, so I can give no specifics. Let’s just say we (4 Mamas + 11 Kids) had a good time! I think the kids will have some great memories from another summer adventure. Living in the heat of Phoenix gives few opportunities during summer vacation to just let loose and have a good time, but drive a few hours North and that’s what you will find.
Opportunities to run in freezing hail. Opportunities to throw all of your clothes out of a window and try to figure out just how you will get them back (I may have gone against my pinkie promise slightly on this , but I’m not naming names!). Opportunities to try to fly. Opportunities to get scabs, bruises, bug bites (maybe even in interesting places). Opportunities to find opportunities.
This year we had a cabin for four nights. Two of us stayed the entire time, one family stayed the first two nights, and one family was there the last three nights. There was the one evening when it was all four mamas and all eleven kids–ranging in ages 1 to 11. We let the kids have some freedom as long as either the 10 or 11 year old was "supervising." Freedom was usually called a hike, but was more like a nature walk within yelling distance.
Things were different from last year and part of it was some of the mamas and kids were different, we were all older and wiser, and we learned from last year’s errors. The only error I will mention was the menu planning. Last year we all were to take turns cooking and the menus were the healthiest eats that could be imagined. And about a day and a half into it a couple of us snuck off to the closest grocery store and shopped like college students with a serious refer habit. This year I suggested we cut the crap and just shop how we would really want to eat when stuck in a cabin with 2 or 3 other women and kids in every corner of the dwelling. That meant we were prepared with a big bag of sugar, several packets of Kool aid, the necessary ingredients for rice crispy treats, tons of root beer, Cheetos, and Oreo cookies. We did have to drive to the nearest market for more sugar, but otherwise we were way more prepared.
I will cherish my memories of summer with my kids because of trips like this. I really hope they do to. And if they want (or need) to share the more specific details later in life to a trained professional I will try to understand.
