Kaiden is having a sleepover. It started off as expected. Two boys, eating pizza, playing video games, and laughing. Laughing is all well and good, except for the annoying laugh that started coming out of Kaiden. Bless him-but I was going to punch him in the throat. All of the sudden, luck falls in my lap and we are given another story.
The boys suddenly came down the stairs and asked if they could pitch a tent on the lawn and sleep outside. I told them no because (1) it is six o’clock, (2) it is freezing, and (3) somewhere in the darkness is a cougar. I would not be a responsible parent if I allowed his friend to be eaten. You are welcome Rachel!
Somewhere in the conversation they ask if they can at least go to the trampoline. Sure. Then in a whirl I hear tree house and sleeping bags, because wild things can’t get them there. We agree that they can go hang out in the tree house. Kaiden threw on a hoodie and shoes, but no socks. I let him do it because those are the choices you make and you better start making better choices sir.
Then I said the magical words that no boy can resist. “You won’t even last five minutes out there, there is no way you will last until 9.” They heard 10 so thank you boys for giving me an extra hour of joy.
I gave them some time to get settled. Honestly, my passing comment had left my mind as I am wondering what those to yahoos are getting into out there. A good hour or so goes by and I received a cryptic message from Kaiden where I piece together that they want food. There is something in there about ice-cream, but I am ignoring that.
I go about my business and they suddenly come up to the back door to get food. They are giggling and tell me there is no way they are coming inside because they want to win. They think that if they win, they will get ice cream. What game do they think we are playing? Suddenly, I realize what is happening and GAME ON LITTLE BOYS!
I give them a plate of pizza and dessert and as they go back out to the tree house, they stop for water in the garage. They told me not to worry because they had barricaded themselves into the tree house so the wild things couldn’t get them. So, I did what any good parent would do and I slipped on some quiet boots and snuck out the side door and into the darkness of the forest. I have to work hard to contain my own excitement as I am breathing in my laughter, begging my inner self to behave so I can scare the crap out of them.
It is so great to see the lights on in the tree house that Rob worked so hard to build. I stopped briefly to snap a picture so I could remember this special moment. Moment over and I quickly and quietly make it over to the tree house stairs. I know if I can get up there quietly I can at least take some pictures. I quietly listen as start climbing up the wooden ladder. I can see where they have covered the opening. I tried to get a picture, but failed. So I just listened for a little bit.
I hear things like “Only two more hours to go.” and “When we win we can have ice-cream.” I decided to make things interesting and started scratching and tapping at the wood.
“What was that? Kaiden, did you fart?”
“No.”
“Gross! Kaiden stop farting! I can smell it!” (not Kaiden farts)
“The door is slipping. You should see if it is moving.” shuffle, shuffle
“It’s not moving.”
“Hey, I think the wood is falling!” (again…me tapping and scraping the wood)
“No-it is good.”
“Check it”
I can BARELY contain myself! But I know that I must get a picture of what is going on in there. Kaiden moves the wood just enough that he can spit out onto the ground. I almost got hit! I thought I was made for sure, but he covers up the hole and I start searching for another way in.
At this point I decided to turn my camera to selfie mode and try to sneak it up through a small hole. I took about twenty-five pictures of the darkness to figure out if it was on. I finally figured out that I needed to turn the flash on first.
I see another small hole and so I went for it. I knew I needed to be ready to bail off the ladder in case the see me. The flash was definitely going to go off.
This first picture I got, I thought for sure they saw the flash…but they didn’t. I listened a little longer. Scratched a little more. I heard one of them ask why they didn’t think to have me give them a rock to protect them from the cougar. OH MY SWEAR WORD! These kids are killing me!
I got a little greedy and hoped that I could get a pic with them both together. I didn’t and they saw the flash. “What was that?” Logan tells Kaiden that it is him mom because he saw her phone. By the time Kaiden could remove the barricaded floor boards, I was gone. I knew I couldn’t get far without giving myself away completely, so I picked the nearest power pole and hid behind it. I was giving myself some serious self talk. Things like “Be one with the pole”, “Think Thin”, and “They can’t see you here.”
Kaiden shined his light around for awhile, calling out my name. Finally he saw me. NOT being one with the pole. NOT thinking thin enough. I was busted. I sauntered back to the house, laughing hysterically, and then I sent Taylor out to mess with them. She did what any good sister would do and took video of much of her shenanigans.
She crept up the stairs and listened in on their conversation. Their conversation was boring and it sounded like they were getting ready to open the floor hole and come down. She made a run for it, hiding behind a tree. They settled back in so she started throwing sticks at the back side of the tree house. Just enough to spook them. She had cougar sounds all ready to go on her phone in case she needed them.
She finally spooked them enough that they decided to come out of their hiding spot and continue their challenge in a safer location. I am working on figuring out how to add the audio, because let me tell you IT IS HILARIOUS. For now, I will do my best to transcribe the best parts for you.
Heavy breathing. Taylor screamed and jumped out to scare them when they come down the stairs.
Logan looked at her unimpressed. Kaiden flinched, ready to run to the safety of the tree house.
L:”Why?”
T:”Because.”
L:”Was that you the whole time?”
T:”No.”
L: “How long have you been out here?”
T: “Just like 5 seconds. I just barely got out here.”
L: “Why?”
T: “My mom sent me out.”
L: “Why would she send you out?”
T: “She wanted to see what you are talking about. So I have been filming you.”
L:”You just got here?”
T: “I just got here. Then I heard that noise and I was very confused. I thought that was you guys.”
L: “Do we get ice-cream if we win? Kaiden asked her and she hasn’t said.”
T: “I mean, there is only one way to find out.”
L:”Kaiden, we might not want to go in.”
K: “Okay. Get back up here.”
L- “We are staying until 10:00.”
But they didn’t stay up there for long. I started to feel a little bad for them, knowing they would not be getting what they were hoping for at the end of this make believe stand off.
I took them out some hot chocolate as they spent the remaining thirty minutes starring at me through the window. Their eyes were filled with hope as Logan thought he was getting ice-cream and Kaiden got it into his head that I am now buying him an app. Wrong. However, they did indeed stick it out until 10:00. So, I probably owe them a Dutch Bros….or some ice-cream.
