Ethan:
Here’s your double-update – as promised. Let’s start from Friday morning; and I’ll try
to keep the report in order of events.
Tai Chi by the river and breakfast was
good; though Ehlana was more fired-up than I was; since the main breakfast chat
topic was the girls’ sleepover night plans.
That fun continued for Ehlana while we were at school – especially since
she got to invite Naomi; all of the girls in our class; and a tentative extra
friend or two depending on how many of her girlfriends could come on short
notice. Aiden and I got razzed a lot
because we had the option on staying at my house too – but with a house full of
girls.
We were still getting bugged about that
after school, which was why Michael helped us out with the camping night offer
for the guys – including our available friends and younger cousins. There’d been some biking and park play time
before that too, but the new plans took the fun level up several notches. Getting parental approvals, packing bags; and
getting snack donations for the camping and campfire took time to get done; the
barbeque dinner was a major event; and then we – the guys – needed to set up,
or finish setting up, our tents. Once
the work was done – including the post-dinner clean-up; we had more biking and
park play time; and then it was time for the campfire by dusk.
While that was only supposed to include the
guys, the girls decided to crash the campfire, and since they brought extra
treats; even Miles and Zack couldn’t complain.
The scary stories, music, and food were a great wrap-up for our day –
though I got razzed by the guys later for sitting with Naomi. The campfire didn’t go too late, but it was
quite a while before Michael and Tim got all of the boys into tents and
sleeping – even after the girls originally ‘scared us off’ with threats of
goodnight hugs and kisses. Aiden and I
were among the last to get to sleep, but that had everything to do with helping
Michael and Tim – not because we were two of the guys trying to keep the fun
going longer than needed or wanted.
We got a decent night of sleep; Tai Chi by
the river was with a gang along with some spectators; and then most of our
friends were surprised with news of a breakfast buffet at the Inn. Getting everyone ready and to the Inn was
crazy, busy, and fun; and then so was the breakfast buffet – especially when a
lot of parents and neighbors joined us for the event. The guys and girls in our group were at
separate tables to keep the peace; and the girls appreciated not having to see
some of the scarier food moments thanks to competitions that Miles and Zack
were happy to lead – and goad some of the other guys to join in on those eating
races.
The fun rolled on after we left the Inn,
but the camp clean-up had to come first.
We had lots of help for that; it didn’t take long; and then we – the kids
– were set free to go out and play. We
biked and played at the park; met up at home for an easy lunch for the smaller
group still with us by then; and then Cassie played with us this
afternoon. We biked the trails, there
was more biking and park play time; Michael joined us in time for a canoe ride
during his break; and there was an Emporium ice cream break before he needed to
get back to work at the Inn. Naomi had
to be home by then, so we went along to get her there; Aiden and I went biking
at the park again after that; and Ehlana and Cassie shared some sisters time
that mostly involved sunning on a blanket by the river. Aiden went home after the biking fun; Mom and
Dad only had their own kids for dinner; and then we went for a walk that
included some front porch visits with family and neighbors.
We’re having a quiet evening at home, but
Cassie mostly packed for her trip back to school and her sleepover at Michael’s
tonight; and then she headed to the Inn to meet up with Michael because he’s
working the close shift. I’ll guess that
they’ll head back to his house once he’s done instead of hanging out with friends;
since they have to say goodbye tomorrow too but I’ll have to let you know about
that – if we get those details tomorrow.
Ehlana and I have been hanging out; there
was bath or Jacuzzi time too; and now I’m ready to get some sleep – so I will.
Ethan – out!
***
Ehlana:
Ethan’s covered a lot of the highlights; so
I’ll just add a few things – including from the girls’ side of our play time
last night.
Having the boys added to the dinner and
evening play time was unexpected, but that did help Ethan and Aiden; and wasn’t
too-annoying for most of the girls. Mom
and Dad got help, but they were still doing a lot of extra work for us; so I’ll
offer my thanks to them while I’m thinking about it – though we did that in
person yesterday and this morning too. I
loved getting to spend so much time with my friends – and with Cassie –
yesterday and today. It’s going to be
tough saying goodbye to Cassie again tomorrow, but at least we’ve made a lot of
happy memories this weekend to hold us over until she can be home again in a
few weeks. Those memories included the
campfire entertainment; girl chat in my room; and the bedtime fun we continued
to have after Cassie and Rowen went to bed – Cassie going to join her junior
cuddle buddies for the night.
The morning wake-up calls with Brianna and
Faith were great – as was the Tai Chi by the river; and then we managed to have
even more fun while getting ready for breakfast at the Inn – including some
hair and dress-up entertainment. I’m not
going to write about what some of us saw during that morning meal from a
minority of the boys – it was campfire-story-scary! The guys took care of the camp clean-up, but
the girls had work to do in the house too - including packing overnight bags and
heading home for some of our friends.
The play time for the rest of the morning was great, but the afternoon
time with Cassie was another highlight for me – especially when I got to have
that quiet time with her after Michael went back to work and Naomi had to be
with her family for the rest of the day.
The last addition for my report is to once
again assure you that I love my Jacuzzi; and soaks in that awesome tub are
always a great way to end a day!
Okay, I liked the chat time with Ethan too,
but let’s not compare – especially since I’m not sure which of them I’d pick if
I had to choose one! ;^)
Okay, it’s obviously time for me to get
some sleep too; so I’m out of here.
This is Ehlana Proctor; coming to you live
from what is now my past!