Each year, a few weeks after the kids are back at school, my sons’ school holds a family cookout. An opportunity for families to catch up after the summer, for new families to make friends and for the kids to eat hotdogs and run around with their friends!
The cookout was last night and I’ll be honest, I was half hoping it would rain… My husband left in a taxi for the airport half an hour before it started!
Corralling three kids, carrying three hot dogs, three packets of crisps and three juices is no mean feat while also pushing a buggy (a necessity to stop the youngest participant from running off while I tried to do all of the above!).
To be fair, the 8yo helped. He paid for our food tickets, he ordered the hotdogs for the three and he managed to carry a couple of things…
The boys immediately met up with friends and food kept everyone sitting still for at least five minutes.
Then the running began, and all I saw for quite some time was this… Thankfully the big kids kept ‘herding’ the wee girl back towards me!
I had the odd moment of quiet while the wee girl was distracted by food again and the 5yo showed me how much he was enjoying himself :)
Then the running began again, and ended abruptly with the wee girl face planting on the play ground. After lots of cuddles and kisses of ouches (grazed hands) and the production of an ice lolly, calm was restored.
Then it was time for the park. The wee girl only wants to go on the swing at the moment, and go faster, faster! It’s a good work out for my arms :)
The boys also had fun; climbing and messing around on (and in and around) swings!
[I’m not the only mum who is a little unsure of the favoured way to use this swing…!]
We had a lovely evening, and I was quite glad that it hadn’t rained after all. I took three tired, but happy, kids home and Night 1 of my husband’s trip passed without incident. Fresh air is a wonderful thing!
I’m linking up with the wonderful Country Kids at Coombe Mill, as always. Click on the badge to see what everyone else has been up to and be inspired to get outside!
Aaahh what a great idea and looks like everyone had fun. love all the photos. It made me smile seeing you have to push faster. I get “faster, faster” and “higher” over and over until my arms hurt too x
I have to stop in the end, my poor arms can’t cope :)
Yep. Me too with the ‘higher, higher’. It looks like you all had a lovely time:)
Thank you x
Great photos. Looks like everyone had fun at the picnic.
They did, it was great fun x
That looks like great fun, but I’m not surprised it was a daunting prospect – I’d be pretty overwhelmed by in that situation too.
It’s the three of them running off in different directions that always worries me!
This sounds like a lovely way to settle back into school. Sounds like you need not have worried as you did perfectly well :)
It was less stressful that I expected, although not entirely without incident! It is a lovely family event though x
That’s a lovely idea of the schools, and it does look like the kids had a great time. Glad it all worked out well in the end! My Little Man loves the swings, too, and I get ‘higher, higher’ shouted at me! x
It is a great idea. What is it about swings?!
What lovely photo’s of them all having fun Sara. Lovely idea too and a great way to pass the time on your husbands first night away! I bet the children slept well that night! x
They did indeed sleep well, a lovely bonus!
What a great idea! Glad to see you all had a great time (apart from the little ones bump) x
Thank you, it was good fun, and she recovered quickly :)
I love how this trip turned out. sometimes it is the things you really don’t want to bother with that end up being so successful. I hope the rest of your time while your husband is away runs as smoothly. The children really look like they appreciated the school cook night, some lovely photos there to look back on in time. thankyou for sharing with me on Country Kids.
Thank you Fiona, I’m glad I went, it did turn out far better than I expected – and they did sleep well :)
It looks like you guys had a fantastic time (except for the faceplant!). A cook out sounds like so much fun :)
It’s a great idea, and the kids absolutely love it x
What a bloody marvellous idea! I would really like to get together before the kids go back to school with their friends and parents.It looks and sounds like you all had fun together.
It is a great idea, and everyone goes!
I love the idea of this, I’ve found that school drop off and pick up is such a rushed affair I haven’t had the time to catch up or meet other parents. Glad the lolly helped little one get over the fall! #CountryKids
The lolly definitely helped, don’t they always :)
Yes, I agree. Meeting up like this sounds like a great idea (although I can well imagine why you weren’t so keen this time around!) looks like it went well though and I bet you were as tired as the children! xx
I’m glad I ignored my initial instinct, and yes, I was knackered too!
Gorgeous photos! Ice lollies can often work magic! Visiting from #Countrykids
They are indeed magic!
I’ve just had a flashback of when I was at school and we used to have a cookout and remember it being so much fun (well for me as the kid but I’m sure my folks had a good time too!) Think I might mention it to our school as something they may want to do. x
It’s a lovely event, everyone really enjoys it x
Looks like it was a lovely relaxing evening. Wonderful photos of (especially) your daughter. So cute.
Thank you Emma x
Ooh yes that IS a good idea, I’m glad you enjoyed it in the end! Love all the photo’s, America fascinates me, I’ve never been and wonder if the same as it is in films lol!!!!! x #countrykids
It has it’s moments :)
I will get a nervous breakdown if I have to go with 3 kids in the park. It is a good thing that your eldest is at that age where he helps already. Well done you =) #countrykids
You’re right, if the 8yo couldn’t help out I’m not sure I’d do it!
Sometimes the best nights happen when you least expect them!
This is a lovely tradition, the perfect way to welcome the kids back to school. For some reason it makes me think of the film Grease?!
#CountryKids
You’re absolutely right :)
They seem to have had a great time! Love the photos :)
Thank you x
Sounds like a lovely idea but I can imagine it being a really daunting prospect with the hubs away! Sounds like ou did really well though and looks like the kids had a whale of a time :) xx #countrykids
It was a little, but I’m glad I went x
It can be so daunting when hubby goes away, but it looks like you all had a lot of fun. What a great idea of the school to let everyone catch up after the summer.
It is a great idea, and the kids had such a good time x
It sounds like a great evening and I am glad you didn’t find it as stressful as you first thought!
Thank you, it was good fun, glad I made the effort x