Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Finding Fun

I am not the fun parent. I am the drill sargent. I am the 'it's time to practice your guitar/violin/piano' or 'do you have homework?' parent. With Lewis gone most of the time these days, I've begun to realize that I have to create a 'fun' hat to go along with all the other responsible hats I wear. So this is what I've been doing.
We have a lovely firepit in the backyard, and we've been putting it to good use. What goes better with boys than fire? All I have to do is ask someone to start one and we have a 4 alarm blaze on our hands. I've planned an outdoor meal for each week. Last week, it was hotdogs and marshmallows. Hey, I'm going for fun, not nutrition! Last night was foil dinners.
Oh! Foil dinners are divine! At least they are if you don't unwrap one to check if it's done, then put it back in the fire. That turns it to charcoal. There's nothing like the smell of the hamburger, potatoes and sweet onions roasting away merrily. The sound of the sizzling- that's great too. I bathed all the boys last night so they don't smell like a fire pit today, but I caught a whiff on someone's jacket this morning. I thought, "Ah, that smells like fun!"

10 comments:

Allison said...

Oh yes, you are SO fun.....and brave.

Michelle said...

I'm the drill sergeant in my family, too. Hey, someone has to be responsible. That's me. The other day my kids were trying to play a game outside, and they rounded up dad to play. My oldest said, "We'll all play, except mom. She doesn't like any games." I was devastated. I'd been keeping the baby out of the street. I'm proud of you for finding more fun with your kids. It seems to come naturally for dads. Some of us moms have to work at it.

Doran & Jody said...

What a GREAT idea!!! But my kids are all gone. Hmmm....They do come once a month (at least). Maybe I will do that!!

MamaBird said...

You are so hard on yourself! I've always thought to myself you are one of the funnest/adventurous Mom's I know! :)

SkinnyJeanGirl said...

Your 5 boys (yay for five boys!) are so lucky to have a mom like you! I love that you are having outdoor/fire dinners. Foil dinners are some of my favorite. I am drooling right now.:)

Jana said...

You were destined to be the mother of all boys - I know this because you have that spiritual gift of thinking happy thoughts when you smell a bon fire. Me? Not so much.

Anonymous said...

I am with Tia Juana-the smell of campfire I could do without-but the dinners by campfire sound divine. Maybe we could bring a contribution to your next meal. :) hint, hint. N

PS Miss you.

Home of the Muddy Kids said...

I love the smell of campfire. It reminds me of coming home from girls' camp completely reeking of it. Ah, the good ol' days. That sounds like a blast, by the way.

Teachinfourth said...

A mom after my own heart...

Jenn said...

Hee,hee! Tin foil dinners was on my dinner list this week too! Love the cleanup!