On Friday evening, we made a last minute decision to go swimming at what we call our “swimming hole.” It’s possible that we were influenced by the fact that Keats had asked if we could go to the swimming hole with nearly every breath that day. Driving to the dead end where we park to hike down to the river, we came across what was obviously a very big event. We had to take a small detour for what we discovered was a big outdoor concert. We eventually got parked and headed down to the river. We all had a great time swimming, especially Trudy (and yes, Silas wears a hot pink swim shirt handed down from Beatrix. Pink was actually considered a boy color until the 1920s (read that in this vintage baby knitting pattern book
After spending a couple of hours at the river, we hiked back out. Just as we arrived at our van we heard a voice over the loudspeaker welcome a band to the stage. We couldn’t make out the name, but the crowd that must have grown while we were swimming let out an excited roar. Jonny recognized the first song that they played, but couldn’t remember who sang it. Next up, they played another song that Jonny knew from childhood. We thought it might be possible that the band playing was actually a popular well known band, but both sort of assumed that it was just a really good cover band. As we made our way back out to the main road we remarked that all of our town must be at this concert. Women were walking around dressed like they had put a whole lot of time into their outfits and appearance. We got a peak at the band onstage as we drove by. We wondered if we should pull over and get out to watch. But with bedtime looming near, and six children in the car, we decided against it.
Driving down the road, we passed Krispy Kreme and of course the hot light was on. One of our kids, can’t remember who shouted out “The hot light’s on! Can we go?!!” “Seth replied, “Don’t even ask. You know mommy isn’t going to take us there.” Considering that my kids haven’t had donuts in about a year and a half (March 2011 to be exact-at the Maple Syrup Festival) and wanting to be “fun, unpredictable mom” I pulled in. Our kids didn’t even register what was actually happening until I spoke the words, “I’d like one dozen glazed, please.” They were ECSTATIC. I should add that Beatrix who is only 3 1/2 remembers the donuts at the Maple Syrup Festival so well, that she regularly says that she wants to move to Highland County (VA), just for the donuts. So you can imagine what happened when I pulled up to the window and realized with HORROR that we were completely devoid of all forms of payment. Worried about someone stealing my wallet from the van, I had only carried my driver’s license, and Jonny had left his wallet at home as well. I explained to the fellow at the window that actually I didn’t have any money and I will openly admit I hoped he would hear the crying from the backseat and give them to us for free. But, he didn’t. And there were tears, major tears from Beatrix. My poor kids are totally deprived when it comes to melt in your mouth so bad for you donuts. This was a tremendous blow for them. They wanted to go home get the money and come back, but we were too far from home to do that, and besides the hot light wouldn’t have been on any more. If I am going to eat those donuts, it needs to be worth it. As we drove, Jonny and I thought about the fact that my friend Lori lives pretty close to Krispy Kreme. Could we possibly drive to her family’s house, knock on the door at almost 9 p.m. and ask for donut money? Of course we didn’t even have a cell phone with us, so I couldn’t call and give warning. No, instead I knocked on their door and when Lori and her husband answered I started explaining…”I left my wallet at home.” “Did you get pulled over?” (swallowing pride) “No, but the hot light was on at Krispy Kreme and I tried to buy my kids donuts. I wondered if you guys might have some cash I could borrow?”
They totally came through. And now I owe them twenty bucks. What awesome friends.
Oh–the band!! An internet search when we got home confirmed that it was Foreigner! Their song “I Want to Know What Love Is” was my hands down favorite in the fourth grade. I still don’t think it would have been worth it to drag all of our kids into that crowd to watch them (Jonny disagrees.) And of course the hot light would definitely not have been on when we passed Krispy Kreme if we had stayed. And those donuts were so worth the whatever all that bad stuff in them is.
THIS is your secret swimming hole? Eric and were pondering where it could be… You have let us know. It looks deep enough for a decent swim.
Lori is awesome! Krispy Creme is worth it! We got some on the way back from the beach 🙂
Glad it worked out in the end! I have been laughing out loud reading your post! It has cheered up my day! Thank you!
Awesome friends! Who can pass up the HOT lite! They are the best.
Best. post. ever! Love it. From the pink swim shirt to mooching money from friends at nine o’clock at night! I can’t believe the KK guy didn’t just give you the free donuts:)
I can’t tell you how much I love that you stopped at your friend’s house, unannounced, at 9 PM to ask for money to go to Krispy Kreme. I truly laughed out loud. This was such a great story.
Last year when we went to enter our exhibits at the county fair, booths were being set up etc. My son pointed out the exact booth (which was completely undecorated–no identifying signage, etc.) where I’d let him have his first ice cream cone one year before. I hadn’t allowed him to have much ice cream since then, and he asked me where the chocolate ice cream was! Sometimes I wonder if I’d be better off to let him have a little bit of sweets every day, rather than ban them most of the time; I’m afraid I’m creating a sugar monster sometimes!
B is looking so grown up in some of those pictures! Way to bring back pink for boys! In a few years you can tell Silas that his willingness to wear pink made it possible for you all to have Krispy Kremes! 🙂 By the way, how did you divide up the extra donuts?
I pretty much always comment the same thing – I love Silas!
Cute post! very nice swimming hole!
This is one of the funniest stories I’ve heard in a long time! What a great day!
Sounds like a fun day! Glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
oh, what a beautiful place to go for a swim! Yes, I hear you on the Krispy Kreme. My kids *love* getting a special treat like that!
Yay to donut eating and doing stuff on a whim 🙂 I believe donuts fit in a well rounded healthy diet.
that is too funny. we use to have krispy kreme donuts here, but they went out of business. so sad. we would go in and get the free donuts when they were hot and ready at least a couple times a week.
now i want a doughnut!
Yay for friends. Sounds like the perfect evening. Love the pics. And Foreigner, a fav of mine too 🙂
Haha, what a crazy story! You’ve got some great friends (and are an AMAZING mom for doing that!).
Oh sweet Silas in your pink swim shirt! I am actually noticing I have very little girl stuff left. After “x” amount of years…and so much wear and tear…even boy stuff is slim pickings…after being through two. It’s simply not save able. I made do without many maternity clothes this time…so I’m sure we will figure something out as we need to for the babe too.
:)Lisa
And yay for good friends and for being “fun and unpredictable mom”. I’ve been trying to let myself bend the rules a bit lately too.
:)Lisa
Wow what a fantastic place to go swimming, wish it was warm enough for us to do that!
Completely awesome! You had me laughing out loud. You fun, unpredictable mom, you.
and you just made me laugh too!
i’m glad that you got your hot donuts in the end! we used to make a yearly trip to the highland county maple festival, and i agree that the donuts there are so good (and worth the drive)! i’d take donuts over foreigner any day.
What a great night for the kids & such memories. I too think that hot donuts are so worth all the bad stuff & love being the fun, unexpected mother as well!! Nothing better than knowing you are doing something that will bring back fond memories for years to come!!!
Awesome night! 🙂
I totally would’ve known it was Foreigner & I totally would’ve stayed to listen. 🙂
What an outing. One you will remember for certain. I can’t believe you have standing water anywhere. We are in such a drought.
PS I am not too embarrassed to say when “I want to know what live is” was recordered, I was a senior in college. When it made it to the top of the charts I was well into motherhood. My young adult son went to a concert last summer, and that made me feel really old.
Oh what a fun post. I’m so glad everything came together for you. You really made me smile today.
Hands down best doughnuts. EVER. So worth waking up a friend at 9 p.m. and asking to borrow 20 bucks!!!!
Sounds like a super fun day!
Awesome photos!
My little guy (6th) also wears pink! And yum on the donuts, glad you were able to buy them.
Blessings.
what a great story. they will remember that for a long time. and what a great spot to swim!!! (the music reminds me: we were camping in FL some years ago near an amphitheater where were serenaded by chicago…. it took us a while to figure it out!)
What a beautiful place to be able to cool down! It looks remarkably like where we go camping in the summer, funny since we are half a world away!
http://jaxfancy.blogspot.com.au/2012/01/back-from-wild.html
It truly is the “small things” that mean the most to kids sometimes. They will probably talk about those doughnuts for years to come! Sounds like you all had the perfect day!
So glad you found the money. Some days I just like to be super mom. The surprise is what gets them. I love all the photos, but I really laughed at the last too. I would have gotten out of the car too.