S'Mores Might Be the Answer to My Problem

Happy belated Mother's Day! I've fallen off the blogging wagon a little, but here I am crawling back on and wanting to share something fun.


I was moaning the other day to a friend about how scattered my family is. Spring is our busiest time of year with soccer, band concerts, spring rental season for Barry and speaking for me. The four of us end up in the car, on our computers or glazed in front of the tv way too much. We work hard at having meals together and doing our Bible reading, but we've sort of been missing FUN.

I mentioned to this wise woman that my guys had come home from camping talking about a fire pit. I was up for it, but I can be a little upity about stuff in my yard so I had inserted myself into the design process. My friend encouraged me to let go and just do it. She described how once a week her family carries hot dog and s'more makings out to the firepit in their back yard to have dinner and talk around the fire.

Ahhhh...that sounded like just the ticket.

So on Sunday, I let go of plans that included a stylish patio under my fire pit, and our family built one in our natural area. It's definitely not up-town, but I do have to say that our s'more-making christening was wonderful.

It feels like we're camping since it's among the trees. We want to add some adirondak chairs and hang some cute lights from the trees, but that's it. The boys were so excited about helping to build it and talking about inviting over friends. That would be another bonus!

I'm going to follow this with a picture or two, but here's all we used to build it:

• The bowl part of a fire pit from Lowes
• Retaining wall blocks
• Brick chips for the ground on the inside

It's a cheap and easy project that I foresee bringing our family together.
Win-win!!
I crave more ideas for family fun and closeness. Please share yours!