What Happened After the Recital...

We hadn't had a date night yet last week, and we were tossing around ideas. You know which one won?

Can I just say, I am so happy we get so much joy out of our mutual immaturity? After a wonderful day involving some fun parenting workshops and a wonderful piano recital, I think we just needed to let go of the adult world for a while. We rented a movie and set up camp.

You would not believe how much bigger and more stable you can make movie-watching tents when you're a "big person." And all you really need is a rope, clothespins, packing tape, and a C-clamp.

Ignore the freaky glowing sheet--it's a product of bad lighting and a not-so-hot camera.

Taped to couches and a chair.

This was the crowning glory on our tent. Take that, seven-year-olds!

The best part? After the set-up was complete, Patrick stood back and mentioned in an off-hand way, "You know, we really should invest in some C-clamps of our own."

I looked at him. "For building tents?"

"Yes."

Yeah, we know what we want in life.

Of course the most telling detail happened after the movie, when we were still happy we'd built the tent but the initial excitement had worn off. I turned to Patrick and said, "You know, this was fun."

"I think so, too."

"But you know what I'm most excited about right now?"

"What's that."

"Seeing Cambrie's reaction to this tomorrow morning."

"You know? I completely agree."

I guess no matter how childishly we behave, we really are parents, through and through. I'll take that as a good thing, though.

[Wondering what her reaction was? A long pause, then, with pure joy in her voice, "Daddy! COOL!"]