Spooky Camp-Story Time

The Nicely-Sharing Discussion

"No, but... um, I was here first, Mama..."

"Really, Day? Because, it looks to me like Play had to have been cuddled up in that bed first."
"No."
"So, why is he tucked in behind you and you're hanging half off the front? It kind of appears to me like you tried to push your way in, even though Play was already laying there."
"Ummmm..... well... but actually it was MY bed fi-iiiirrrsst..."
"Remember, we talked about how you would have to share your things when your new little brother came home?"
"I know... but... he already shared ALL my toys! And he shared ALL my treats!! And he shared ALL my space!!! And now he's sharing ALL my BEDDDSS??!!! ... It's not faaiiir!"
"I know it seems like way too many big changes, Day... but I promise you it will all get easier. You two are going to have the greatest of times together. You've been so gentle and patient in letting Play share in everything we all have to share. And trust me... he is only just starting on his own toy, treat and bed collections; I'm certain he will share with you just as you are sharing with him."
"How do you know he will?"
"Because that's what brothers do... and you've already taught him that by so graciously sharing your collections."

"Play, are you comfortable squished in there like that?"
"Well... um, I waaaas actually going to stretch out..... but, I guess it's okay if Day wants to share; it kinda feels like he wants to take the whole thing, though..."
"I think it might just take a little time for him to understand that sharing nicely makes everything even better."
"Iiiiiii'm sharing nicely, though... right, Mama? I'm a good sharer because I didn't say anything, at aaalllll when Day came and just pushed his way in here with me. I just stayed here and was really patient and really nicely sha-aarring... right, Mama??"
"That's right, Play. You are doing soooooo well in getting along with your new big brother and I'm soooooo incredibly proud of you!"

"Thanks-a-lot, Play! Nothin' like ratting me out....."
"Hey... don't mention it, Day! After all... isn't that what little brothers are for?" *wink*
"Little brothers are so unfair... grumble, grumble....."

The Draftiness Discussion

"Ummm... hel-lo-ooooo???"
"Well, hello there!"
"Funny, Mama, but I wasn't actually saying 'hello'... Don't you notice something wrong here?"
"Hmmm... something maybe like the fact that it's already almost noon and you're still in in bed??"
"Yeah... ha...haaaa..... You're just full of funnies this morning... honestly, where do you keep coming up with them?" *eyeroll*
"Oh, I'dunno, could just be that I've been up for so many hours and it's been boring without your cheerful morning companionship; I had no other options but to just quietly sit alone and make up funnies to keep myself occupied."
"Well, you've had your fun, now could you at least try and be serious?!"
"Okay, I'll try."
"Well?"
"Well, what??"
"You really don't see it..."
"What, am I supposed to be a mind-reader? Just tell me already!"
"Myyyyyy ..... BUMMMMMMM!!!"
"Okay... now I'm detecting just a lil' bit of annoyance....."
"Mama! You know I like to be covered. And you know that I need to be cozy to have good sleepies. And you know that I only like to have my face and my tootsies out of the cozy covers... NOT my BUMMM! ... I don't like to have draftiness happening down there!!"
"Oh, I see. And so it's my fault you rolled and uncovered a tiny sliver your bum?"
"No, it's not your fa-auult... but, it is your jo-oobbb to make sure it gets re-covered quickly....."
"That's my job? Tell me, Day... how, in the world, did I get to be so lucky??!"
"Because I picked you to get to be my mama..."
"That, you did... and I'm just so grateful that you did."
"As you should be... Now, cover my bum and let me get back to sleep!!"
"Greyhounds are so unfair... grumble, grumble....."

The Glamping Discussion

"Mama, what's 'glamping'?"
"What do you mean?"
"Jasper said I'm not camping, he said I'm gla-aaa-aampinggg... and he said it just like tha-aat!"
"Ohhhh... well, I think Jasper was just teasing you. Glamping is the same as camping but just usually done in fancier, comfier form, that's all; nothing to be bothered over."
"He calls this 'fancy'? I'm laying in a tent... what's fancy about that??!"
"Hey... you may be laying in a tent but it's not like you are exactly 'ruffing-it', Day... you do have a pretty cozy set-up."
"I guess... but I still don't like it when Jasper makes fun of me."
"Nobody likes to be made fun of. You and Jasper just have differing experiences and expectations of the great outdoors. But, you're still friends and that's the only thing that really matters."
"Maybe a tent-snack will help me feel better....."
"Good thing I have some treats right here in our packsack, then!"
"I didn't say tent-'treat'... I said, tent-'sna-aaack'... I'll have a pear please; in little-bite pieces..."
"Yeah... no 'glamping' happening here..."
"What was that??"
"Nothing! I'm just going to get your pear ready..."
"Thanks, Mama... Camping sure is FUN!!!"
"And Greyhounds are so unfair... grumble, grumble......"

The Handle-Bar-Head Discussion

"What'ths stho fthunny??"
"Just your silliness... You, my sweetie-plum, are quite a character!"
"Well... I r'lly don't apprecshciate the sthnickering, Mama..."
"But, you're just such a sight for sore eyes!"
"I know! ... Sthill doesthen't ansthwer my questhtion."
"I'm sorry, Day... but with that face, I just couldn't help it!"
"Hey! That'sth not very nicthe!"
"But, it's true..."
"Huh???"
"You have your whacky handle-bar-head silly face on... I thought you knew."
"Handle-bar-head? ... You thought I knew?? I STHTILL DON'T KNOW! ... What the heck are you evthen  thaaallking aboouuut!!!"
"Want me to get you a mirror?" *giggle*
"No. But, it would be nicthe if you didn't keep laughing at me when I'm justh trying to have a niceth sthleeeeeep..."
"Okay, Day, I'll leave you to have your 'niceth sthleep in peaceth'..."
"Mockin' me again? Boy... I'm stho glad I could offther you sthome amusthement..."
"That's why you're so awesome! Now, quick... picture for posthsterity!!!"
"Mamasth are stho unfair... grumble, grumble....."

The Walk-Without-Balk Discussion

"Y'know, Mama... on second thought, it really doesn't look so nice out there... I think I'll just watch out the window instead."
"You're kidding... right?"
"No."
"But, all you have left to put on are your boots! And even more important than that... it's the first day in FIVE MONTHS that you don't need to get bundled in your full snowsuit; how exciting is that?!!"
"Yeah... so exciting....." *eyeroll*
"Did you just roll your eyes at me?"
"No." *head-turn* *eyeroll*
"And anyhow, it IS exciting! We finally have some mild temperatures happening, the roads are completely dry and we should be out there taking advantage of such a perfect afternoon!"
"There's still snow out there."
"Yes, but only on the yards."
"I don't like it."
"I know. But, at least we don't have to trudge through it any longer because our walking path is dry!"
"I'll just wait until all of the grass is back."
"That could take another month, Day."
"I'm a patient boy."
"Really? When did this come about?"
"Funny..."
"Seriously, Day, a short walk, that's all I'm asking... just one little thing."
"You're also going to ask me to put my boots on; that's two things..."
"Now you're being ridiculous."
"Or honest... I guess it's just in how you look at it."
"Okay Mister, here's what's about to be happening... boots are going on tootsies... booted-up tootsies are hitting the pavement... and over the snowless pavement, a walk-without-balk we shall have. Now, let's get a move on!"
Mamas are so unfair... grumble, grumble....."

The Usual Walk-Time Discussion

"Okay, I need to set you down for a little while now, Day."
"No."
"Yes... I need a break."
"No."
"Seriously, I need a minute to catch my breath."
"FIIIINNNE! But, I'm not going to walk."
"Come on, Day, it's only a little way back to the car... I know you can do it."
"But I don't want to... so... I'm not going to and you can't make me!"
"Day..."
"I can't hear you because I'm closing my eyes and going to sleep now."
"Day, this is not sleepy time, it's walk time and you're about to join back in on the actual 'walking' part."
"Nope. I'm done... You knew I didn't want to come for a walk! I didn't want to walk... you knew I didn't want to walk, I told you I didn't want to walk! I'm supposed to be napping right now, not walkiinnng..... I said I didn't want to come and I meant I didn't want to come... but you made me come and now my boots are all dirty and it's all your faauuult!"
"Better your boots than your paws..."
"No, it's not! I like my boots, Dad!!"
"We'll wash your boots, Day, I promise... but will you please... just walk the last twenty-two feet back to the car??"
"Ummmmm, no."
"Greyhounds are so unfair... grumble, grumble....."