Friday’s Fort
|22.May.2010Fridays around here are like Saturdays; we homeschool Monday-Thursday and Fridays we play. So, when Kenny woke up yesterday morning with a hankering to make a tent, I felt the tug of childhood and joined him in his endeavor.
Pulling out old sheets (those mustard yellow floral sheets are older than me folks), a few throws, and large, basting-size, safety pins, the two of us set to work.
Rearranging the furniture, pulling sheets taunt and pinning them to the couch and chair (a ratty, yet comfortable, 40-year-old set), we set about making a fabulous tent fort.
All the knick knack, paddy whacks were moved to the kitchen bar so every possible surface could be used to stretch the fort just a little bit farther; make it just a wee bit more stable.
Kenny was the first one in, followed quickly by Lily and Max. I’m not sure whether child or beast was more excited.
Planning for when his sister would wake up, Kenny hauled in all the board games from his closet and the hall closet.
Once Meredith woke up she began hauling in the necessities to make everything cozier. Isn’t that what we women-folk do?
She brought in a lamp from her bedroom, spread Kenny’s flannel quilt atop the living room rug, and added several pillows and a couple of throws for the pups to curl up in.
While she warmed up the place Kenny prepared a game of Skip-Bo.
After breakfast, and a couple of games of Skip-Bo with her brother, Meredith selects some reading material.
What is she reading?
Only quality literature, of course.
Let’s see, I believe it was a compilation of Gary Larson’s The Far Side comics that Poppa Ken brought home from his last business trip.
Like, I said, “quality literature”.
As you can tell Max is highly enthusiastic about The Far Side comics.
With games to play and books to read, the morning turned to lunch, then to dinner, and still no one wanted the fort to come down.
And so it didn’t; it remains for another day of reading, playing, adventure and imagination.
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16 Comments
Dad
OH BOY I’m first to post. I never had an inside fort/tent/blanket castle growing up. Mine were always outside, made from tree limbs, branches, pine needles and other forest discards … so, no air condition or heating but there was nothing we might break either. My brother and I fought off armies, indians, dinosaurs and monsters that attacked from the far corners of the earth. We had every imaginable weapon made from sticks, mud, rope and oh yes, rubber bands. The wonderful thing about being outside in the forest was, we didn’t have to dismantle anything, over time it fell down on its own.
But, Fort OMSH is special because this fort was built by my grandkids tucked safely away inside my kids home and they are all just down the street from Izzy and me. How enchanted is that? Thanks for sharing … Life is good!
Jeff Sanders
Hey I’m just glad I came he before dark! The furniture is all sorts of out of whack. It’s too cool. I love tents/forts!
Jeff Sanders
…and yes, PK, life is good!
OMSH
Daddy, the cool thing is the kids have both! Whoop!
Jefe, I would have guided you; that or laughed WITH you when you ate it.
Amy
I remember the days of indoor forts out of sheets and furniture! Love it!!! I’m sure the kiddos had a wonderful day, sure looks like it.
Sarah
I remember making dens with friends – when playing with the boy down the road the aim was to make the entrance concealed/complicated enough that his little sister couldn’t get in!
OMSH
Amy – they did; it was a wonderful day.
Sarah – “dens” is a good name for it; hahaha about the hidden entrance!
Tori
How fun! I think building forts is a human instinct – everyone does it when they are kids, right? And then you get to rediscover the fun all over again with your own kids!
And those sheets totally remind me of the wallpaper in my grandparents’ bedroom and bathroom. Check it out: http://www.flickr.com/photos/47379056@N04/4630497318/.
Lindy Leigh 56
We do the same thing…homeschool Monday-Thursday… we have a Harry Potter closet under the stairs where the girls haul all their books, games and stuff in there because I keep all the extra blankies and pillows in there. They love it! Add a lantern and they will stay in there for hours. Cute post Heather!
Kate
That’s it. My kids and I are moving in with you.
jessica
Ooh! Do you have some of these: http://www.kidbean.com/heartwood-arts-wooden-play-clips.html ?? We love them for fort building! Not that you need them, that looks like one awesome fort!
Tickled Red
Indoor forts are the best. My youngest barricaded himself, alone, under the upright piano. He made a wall out of rolled up sleeping bags. Wish he had made room for me but everyone needs their quiet time. Thanks for sharing your kids wonderful fort.
bethany
We’re fort-making freaks over here, I think we’ve got one going about 30 percent of the time. We live in a small apt so we have to get uber creative on the space usage, but it’s my absolute favorite thing to do with my 2 boys. Love the coziness of yours, what a great way to spend the day!
breedemandweep
BEST FORT EVER!!!!!
Jen
How totally fun! I look forward to building my first tent with my daughter soon!
Allison
This reminds me of my childhood. My grandmother used to help me make a fort in the living room and I would disappear for hours reading, etc. I am so glad families still do this.