I Never Thought The Day Would Come When...

...the kids would have a campout and I wouldn't do anything for it but run to the grocery store and then drive them to the meeting spot. It came today. For two children, Spencer and Joseph, no less. Part of it is the fact that Spencer has had enough camp outs that I know he knows what's what. The other part is that I am old (and tired) enough to let them really experience the natural consequences of packing (or not) for themselves. One night will not kill them. Of course, the real reason could be that I've already passed this milestone with Spencer or Erica and just can't remember. (A mind is such a terrible thing to waste!) My subconscious mind, for instance, might be telling me everything went fine before and not to worry. If that's the case, I get to double dip in life's Bowl of Satisfaction and am enjoying it very much the second time around. The boys asked for my help packing last night and I politely declined ( partly so I could keep playing Wii tennis- how's that for being a caring parent!). Today afterschool they packed their food into a cooler, fit the big stuff into garbage bags, and even loaded everything in the car. Funny how liberating that is. Next stop on this road is the driving up, unloading the child(ren) and belongings at said meeting point and driving away. Haven't quite gotten there, yet. Maybe next time. I guess there are still milestones/ stumbling blocks to be encountered on the raising child path that always seem huge deals with your first children but almost disappear for later children. I hope by the time Ryan is going on these little adventures that I at least remember the fact that he's going. Maybe by then the trip to the grocery store and the dropping off will be icing rather than resposibilties for mom. Who knows!