I often hear people talking about building memories, and I never really understood what they were on about, but used it as a convenient excuse whenever DH complained about the lack of housework that had been done. This is the story of my discovery of memory-building.
We enjoy camping, but The Girls and I are most definitely fair-weather campers, so the camping gear spends about ten months of the year in storage. Recently however, we were talking about camping and- as DH was working one weekend and the weather prevented us from getting out- I came up with the plan for us to spend the night camping indoors.
We rearranged the furniture in the sitting room so that we could string a flat sheet over the back of two sofas. This created our tent. Then I went hunting for some of our camping gear in the attic. I inflated the inflatable double bed and found the double sleeping bag. The Girls and I changed into PJs and sweaters- as we would when out in the wilds!
Daddy built a fire- in the fireplace- and we toasted some marshmallows.
We read books and stayed up very late.
We used torches to navigate around the house in the dark, and cleaned our teeth using a cup of water, albeit in the downstairs WC.
We crept out in the garden in the dark to say goodnight to Daddy.
Then we curled up, all three of us together, and fell asleep.
I left a handful of glowsticks- activated- in a jar at the foot of the ‘tent’ so that we could navigate in the dark.
And we all slept until morning.
The Girls still talk about our indoor camping. I have no idea why I was suddenly so inspired to do it but I will definitely add it to our winter play list. They have asked several times when we can do it again. I hold the memory of the three of us sharing that experience close. I will remember it forever. I hope they do too.
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Sounds like you all had a good evening 🙂
we had a super time The Handmade Mum. I’m delighted with myself: I got major mum points. If our summer keeps going the way it is, we may end up doing this some more!
Oooh, love this! And roasted marshmallows too?!!!! I don’t know why I haven’t thought of that one. Thanks for sharing your fun idea with us for our 100 Days of Play! I’ve linked up to your post and shared it!! Have a wonderful Mother’s Day!!!
Thanks Rachel, I’m so pleased you liked it. And Happy Mother’s Day to you.