Outdoor Ed

Ah, our hero returned, safe and sound from Outdoor Ed.  

                                                           

In California, most 5th graders spend a week of school at some kind of outdoor learning facility.  So Tuesday morning I dropped Wyatt off at school with a duffle bag of clothes, a pillow and a sleeping bag and did not see him again until Friday afternoon.

I am always surprised at how the dynamics of our family changes when just one child is missing.  That one child (no matter which one) is a big part of our family and life is different without them.  This was true for Wyatt's absence this week.  All the little kids kept asking "Where is Wyatt?" at dinner time, after school, when we'd pile into the car to run an errand.  They couldn't figure out why he wasn't with us.

Lorien spent Wednesday afternoon wandering around the house--looking for something to do.  She didn't vocalize it but I could tell she was missing her partner in crime.  She wasn't looking for a playmate, just her brother who she could tease or talk about tv shows with.  

When I picked Wyatt up on Friday he seemed pretty happy to be home.  He said he got a little homesick but not bad.  Then he told me about all the stuff he did at Outdoor Ed.  He talked for nearly an hour while we went for ice cream.  The games: Sprout (a mixture of Hunger Games, Dodge Ball and Infinity Tag), a tennis ball game he played with his bunk mates at night while they were waiting for lights out, the climbing wall, pool and free time.  He told me about the hikes (5 miles in total) one where they got to hike alone.  It sounded like he had a great time.  I was happy he was home safe.  

When we walked in the door all the kids who were home (Clare was still at school) came rushing over to hug Wyatt.  Colter yelled "Wyatt, you're back!" it was all very heartwarming.  

When I texted Will that Wyatt was home he responded "Good, I missed him"

After all the hugs and "how was Outdoor Ed" questions Lorien and Wyatt got to work making a video of Wyatt's jubilant return.  Lorien posted the picture below on her instagram account.  I think the caption said "Back from Outdoor Ed and can't wait to watch TV!"