Fathers and Sons Outing

This last Friday night/Saturday morning was the annual Fathers and Sons outing with my ward. I've gone myself since I moved into the ward, and I've taken Jayson ever since he was born (he was about 9 months old the first time he went). The only year I missed was last year, when I was extremely sick.

How did it go this year? Now that's an interesting question. My son almost fell asleep in the car on the way up there. I awoke him when we got there. He wasn't interested in his dinner (with the exception of the chocolate milk and the toy. Yes, I went through the drive-thru on the way up there. Maybe we'll cook something up there when he's older). He sat in front of the fire, but looked like he was about to fall asleep and possibly go face first into the fire. Since I don't worship Moloch, I'm not particuarly interested in feeding my kids to the fire, not even on their worst days.

So I had him help me get things from the car, and I started to set up the tent. He didn't want to run and play. He wanted to sleep. So I set up his sleeping bag inside the tent and bade him good night.

I enjoyed the remainder of the evening. I had some nice chats with some of the other brothers in the ward. I had two smores, which I didn't need, especially considering the contents of my dinner. I also brought some extra chocolate and graham crackers to share with others. I've mooched a couple of times over the past years, and figured it was my chance to repay the good karma of others. The fire was very warm, as one of the other attendees had brought a large stump to add to the wood supply in the fire pit. The presentation by the bishop was also very well done, and a good reminder of the unique and great power that I have been given. Most celebrities do not have the power that I have been entrusted with, and it was a good reminder for me.

Then came bedtime, and things went steadily downhill. I couldn't find a comfortable position. The ground seems to be harder than it was when I was younger. It rained, which got our tent and some of our stuff wet. Also, Jayson didn't sleep particularly well. A couple of times I was about to fall asleep, and he started talking to me. After going in and out of short sleep blocks until about 4:45, I finally got a decent block.

We woke up late the next morning. The ward was preparing breakfast. Most of the pancakes were gone, but I grabbed one for Jayson (along with a couple of pieces of bacon) before heading off to the restroom. When I came back a few minutes later, all of the pancakes were gone, which didn't make me very happy. We packed up and came home.

So a mixed bag? Certainly. But I will be back next year. Assuming the tent has dried out by then. :)


P.S: I was just kidding on the last sentence. I set the tent up shortly after we got home, and it was bone dry later in the day, along with everything else that got wet.