Friday night was Loyd/Talbert/Kirby Family
Night, and a very special night it was. In fact,
it exceeded the already-high expectations.
We had informed the grandkids two weeks ago
that we would have our first bonfire at the Loyd place.
Preparations included the fire hose.
We relocated the chiminea so we could
toast marshmallows.
The fuel was some scrap wood that was
more "fire-starter" than I'll need for this winter.
Before the bonfire, and even before supper,
the kids were burning off energy on the swings.
You should have seen how these swingers
lifted the supports from the ground!
Then over to the "old" swing set for some
different stunts, including the trapeze act.
When dinner was served the playground emptied.
Listening to these four offer blessings is
truly a blessing, and touches our hearts.
Later, while waiting for the grown-ups to
finish, the kids play cops-and-robbers. Only
they could describe the action in this hallway,
but I believe the bad guys are goin' down.
WHAT?! I thought Claire was a good guy!
At 7:00 sharp we headed outside. Still
plenty of daylight, but we started the fire.
I'm sure the kids were thinking at first,
"It's a dud, Grandpa."
For this smoky conflagration I dutifully
notified the Pinehurst Fire Department and
the Forest Service.
Well, let's give it a little time.
In the meantime, we've got a playground full
of other stuff to do.
What shall I fill my little basket with?
Hey, it's growing!
Claire decides the roof of the playhouse will
offer a better view. She's the first grandchild
to attempt this feat.
And, no surprise, she makes it. After all,
she's Jennifer's daughter.
Claire may be first, but she's started a trend.
Hunter, are you sure these boots are made for
climbing?
Going up!
Yep, we can see the fire better from here.
We can feel it, too. Do you think Grandpa
could move the house a little further away?
Eat your heart out, Sir Edmund Hillary.
Not one kid needed assistance. And, even
more amazing, not one fell off all evening.
As it darkened, I brought out a barrel of
pine cones and told the kids they could
unleash their assault on the fire.
Bombs away!
Take no prisoners!
The next treat to be unveiled was an army-
sized supply of glow sticks Judy had happened
upon. These would be popular right to the end
of the evening.
By now, we had a three-ring circus going on.
This was pretty relaxing for the grownups.
And what fun watching the kids!
Let's roast a few more marshmallows.
The bonfire gives plenty of light to keep
on playing. And it was hot enough that
nobody was likely to wander to close.
We started with 50 marshmallows. I don't
even know if any were left. And who cares?
Evan pieces together enough glow sticks
for a hula hoop.
Let's take our light show up on the rooftop.
It's going to be hard to top this Family Night.
A bushel of memories.
Often, the kids will ring this bell to call
one and all to the table. But this time,
Hunter seems to be ringing it to say . . .
It's bedtime!
And I guess it was.
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