Chapter six
June (Non magic camping.)
It was Henry Junior's third birthday, his party was taking place at the pre-school since school was not done yet. The girls had promised to behave since it was Henry's special day.
"Ok I'm going to meet you at the pre-school after I get the boys onto the bus" Piper informed.
"We also have to film the party for Leo and Andy" Coop reminded everyone.
"Ok everyone's ready, I'll take Paige and our three in my car" Henry stated.
"Phoebe and I will take our two and Melinda" Coop said.
"And I'll take Payton and Piper" Prue stated.
Prue drove Piper, Payton and the boys to the bus stop. While the others headed to the pre-school.
"Ok last day, let's do this" Wyatt said taking Chris's hand as the bus arrived.
Prue and Piper waved and drove off to the pre-school. Meanwhile the others arrived at the pre-school.
"Good morning, happy birthday" Mrs. Grace welcomed.
"Thank you" little Henry thanked.
"So who's this little angel" Mrs. Grace asked pointing to Parker.
"That's my sister Parker" P.J. informed.
"Will she be joining us next year" Mrs. Grace asked.
"Yeah, she will start in September" Phoebe answered.
"Hello Mrs. Grace" Piper and Prue said when they arrived.
"Hi, whose this little cutie" Mrs. Grace asked.
"My daughter Payton, she's a year" Prue introduced.
Mrs. Grace smiled and got all the kids attention. Everyone sat down on the carpet in-front of a chair that belonged to Mrs. Grace.
"Good morning children" Mrs. Grace said.
"Good Morning Mrs. Grace" the class said.
"Today we are having a party" Mrs. Grace announced.
Mrs. Grace had Henry stand beside her. The children all said happy birthday. Mrs. Grace then introduced the family. Without another word Mrs. Grace dismissed the children. Prue and her sisters opened some garbage bags and threw some balloons into the air. Of course the children enjoyed this.
Meanwhile at the elementary school, the whole school was having a party in the gym to celebrate the last day of school. As Wyatt's class entered the gym, Wyatt spotted Chris and sat down beside him. Once all the classes were in the gym, George got on the small stage.
"Before we begin the party, I have a few awards to give out. Then you can get your year books on that table and start having fun" George announced.
"The reward for hard work goes to Chris Halliwell" George announced.
Chris got on the stage and received his award. He felt very proud of himself. The rest of the rewards were given out. Then music started and the children lined up to get their year books.
"Here I am" Chris said when he found his class page.
"They used your full name" Wyatt noticed.
Chris shrugged and flipped to the next page. The boys searched the page and found a bunch of Wyatt's friends.
"Here you are" Chris said pointing to Wyatt's picture.
Kennedy and Dakota walked up to them and asked them to dance. Wyatt got up and dance with Dakota while Chris danced with Kennedy. They had a great time dancing to a few awesome songs. Then they decided to look through their yearbooks together.
Meanwhile at the pre-school, the children were eating cupcakes. Afterwards it was nap time, P.J. decided to share her mat and blanket with Parker. Payton refused to go down for a nap.
When nap time was over everyone went outside for the remainder of the day. Before going home, the children wanted to say bye to Mrs. Grace.
"Bye Melinda have fun in kindergarten" Mrs. Grace told Melinda and hugged her.
"Bye P.J., I hope you enjoy kindergarten" Mrs. Grace told P.J. and hugged her.
"Bye girls, good luck in kindergarten" Mrs. Grace told the twins and hugged them.
"Bye Henry, see you in September" Mrs. Grace told little Henry and hugged him.
The kids smiled and followed their parents. When they got home, Piper arrived at the bus stop just in time to pick up the boys. The boys ran off the bus and hugged Piper. On the walk home Wyatt and Chris told Piper all about their day.
A couple of days later during breakfast, the family was talking about magic camp. Phoebe noticed little Henry looked left out.
"What's wrong Henry" Phoebe asked in concern.
"Why can't I go to magic camp" Henry asked.
"Because you're mortal honey" Henry told him gently.
"I have an idea" Coop stated.
"Why don't we go camping this weekend, mortal camping" Coop suggested.
"Alright sounds great" Leo agreed.
"What do you think" Paige asked little Henry.
"Let's do it" little Henry replied.
That day was Thursday, so while Wyatt, Chris and the girls were at magic camp, and little Henry, Parker and Payton were napping or playing quietly, the adults got ready for the camping trip. Prue called to make the arrangements at a local camp ground, and the others packed.
"Ok let's double check, food" Prue said.
"Check" Piper said.
"Tents?"
"Check" Leo said.
"Sleeping bags?"
"17 checks" Phoebe said.
"Bug spray and sunscreen?"
"Check" Coop said.
Prue went through the rest of the list, they had everything. Then Prue, Andy, Piper, Paige and Henry went to work, and Leo, Phoebe and Coop packed everything. Shortly after noon, Parker beamed to the kitchen.
"Looks like its lunch time, I'll make sandwiches" Phoebe stated as Coop helped Parker onto a chair.
Andy orbed up to his room and found Payton awake in her crib. Payton smiled and held up her arms as Andy approached her. Andy took Payton into his arms and beamed to little Henry's room with her.
"It's lunch time, take my hand buddy" Andy told Henry Jr.
Henry took Andy's hand and the three of them orbed to the kitchen. When they arrived Henry sat down beside Parker and Andy placed Payton in her high chair Phoebe came over and served the sandwiches.
The next day shortly before noon, the moms got the children ready while the dads packed the cars. Wyatt was dressed in a plain brown t-shirt and brown shorts. Chris was wearing a plain green t-shirt and dark brown shorts. Melinda had her hair in ponytail and was wearing a light blue t-shirt that had a rainbow design, and a grey skirt with grey legs that only went half way down her legs.
Payton was wearing a white t-shirt that said, this is what spoiled looks like, in different colours. She also had on a jean skirt.
Tamora and Kat had their style. Tamora was wearing a pink shirt with purple shorts. Kat was wearing a purple shirt that went with the shorts Tamora was wearing, and pink shorts that went with the shirt Tamora was wearing. Both girls had their red hair in two braids on the sides.
P.J. had her brown hair loose and was wearing a long yellow summer dress that had daisies all over it. Parker was wearing a lagoon blue t-shirt and jean shorts that had a small red rose at the bottom the left side. Her hair was in two ponytails on the sides. Henry Jr. was wearing an orange shirt that had a Tigger design on it and grey shorts.
When the cars were loaded up and everyone was ready, the family drove to the camping ground. It was not a long trip. When they arrived the children played on their camp spot while the adults attempted to set up the tents.
"How on earth do you do this" Coop said confused and slightly frustrated as he looked at the instructions.
"Don't look at me" Phoebe remarked.
"Need some help" a familiar voice asked.
"Darryl what are you doing here" Paige stupidly asked.
"I'm here camping with my family, just like you are" Darryl replied.
"Anyways, I'll do get Sheila and the boys, we'll help you set up" Darryl offered and walked away.
"I'm such an idiot, why else would they be here" Paige stated and smacked her forehead with her hand.
Darryl returned shortly accompanied by Sheila and their sons Mikey and Darryl junior. Mikey was 12 and Darryl Junior was a year older than Wyatt. The four of them easily helped the Halliwell's/Mitchell's set up their tents. Coop felt like an idiot not being able to put up a stupid tent.
"Thanks guys" Piper thanked when they finished.
"No problem, why don't you all come to our camp spot tonight, we're having smores and sinning songs" Sheila invited.
"Are you sure, we don't want to intrude" Phoebe stated.
"Yeah of course, we've got a whole week to spend family time" Sheila insisted.
"Alright then that sounds like fun" Phoebe agreed.
"Great, come by at eight, camp spot nine" Darryl informed.
Darryl and his family walked away. Prue, her sisters and their husbands put away their bags and suitcases in their tents. There were six tents, one for Andy, Prue and one year old Payton, one for Piper and Leo, one for Phoebe, Coop and almost two year old Parker, and one for Paige and Henry. Also one for Wyatt, Chris and little Henry, and one for Melinda, the twins and P.J. Prue had made a mall cradle in her tent for baby Payton.
"So what do you want to do first" Prue asked the children.
"Swimming" the kids all shouted at once.
Since everyone already had their bathing suit on under their clothes, they instantly followed the trail and found the beach. As the adults laid out their towels on the sand, the children striped. Piper decided to relax on her towel while the others went in the water. She had the camera and used the zoom button to video tape her family in the water.
"We meet again" Sheila said as she and Darryl laid out their towels beside Piper.
"Are you following us" Piper teased.
"I was wondering the same thing" Darryl teased back.
In the water Prue, Phoebe and Paige were racing each other. Henry was teaching little Henry how to swim. Coop and Andy were holding Parker and Payton while walking through the water slowly. The others were enjoying a game of Marco Polao.
"Marco" P.J. called out with her eyes closed.
"Polao" the others called out.
P.J. followed the closest sounding Polao and waved her arms around. She accidently hit her father in the face and was lucky to miss Parker.
"Oops sorry daddy" P.J. apologised.
"It's alright, just be careful not to hit a stranger" Coop warned.
P.J. called out Marco again and followed Melinda's voice. P.J. waved her arm forward and touched Melinda`s elbow.
"Melinda's Marco" P.J. called out to inform the others. Melinda closed her eyes and the game continued. About an hour later everyone was washed out. So they dried themselves off, got dressed and headed back to their camp spot.
In order to cook super Piper needed to set a fire to the fire pit. However it hadn't occurred to them to bring a lighter. Their many attempts at a fire failed.
"I can help with that" Tamora offered.
"Well ok, coast is clear, go ahead firefly" Paige agreed.
Tamora waved her hands towards the fire pit and set a fire using her power. Piper then began to cook the meal. While Piper did this the others played go fish.
"Do you have any twos" Melinda asked Wyatt.
"Yes I do" Wyatt answered and handed Melinda his two.
Melinda added it to her large pile of pairs. She was on a major winning streak. Then Phoebe's empathy power kicked in.
"Hey you're sensing all our cards you little sneak" Phoebe suddenly said.
"Uh man busted" Melinda said.
"She admits to her crime" Chris pointed out.
Shortly after supper was served, by the time everyone had finished eating it was almost time to for Darryl and Sheila's campfire. Once the kids were in warm Pajamas, the family took their folding chairs and walked to Darryl and Sheila's camping spot. When they arrived the fire had already been started. The family set up their chairs around the fire pit, this Darryl and his family had already done.
Once everyone was seated, Darryl taught them how to make smores. The adults made a couple and handed them to the kids. Only Wyatt was considered old enough to make them himself, well him and Darryl's sons. As they ate them, everyone laughed as they told stories.
"So then the toaster exploded and there was Jam everywhere" Wyatt told about his recent battle with the toaster.
"That happened to me once, and dad threatened to put me in jail for it" Mikey recalled.
"He was so scared, I found him hiding in the laundry hamper" Darryl said laughing his head off.
Being a pre-teen this must have embarrassed Mikey. Luckily the night's darkness hid any evidence of embracement. After a few more stories it was late so the Halliwell's went back to their camp site and crawled into their tents.
It was only at the break of dawn when the children woke their parents up. Coop did a head count and good news was nobody had orbed or beamed out, all the kids were there. While Piper prepared their breakfast of sandwiches, the others played a round of go fish.
"Ok adults help yourselves" Piper instructed when everyone was seated at the three pick nick tables.
While the adults served themselves Piper served the children. After breakfast the family got dressed. Then they got their Frisbee and everyone formed a circle. Henry quickly explained what to do. Andy decided to take Payton and Parker for a walk since they were too young to play.
Paige started and threw the Frisbee to Wyatt who caught it and threw it to Melinda. Melinda missed and ran down the path chasing after it. Once it landed she picked it up and ran back and got back in the circle. Melinda threw the Frisbee to Coop who threw it to Prue. Prue threw it to Leo who was not paying attention. It smacked him in the face and everyone laughed.
"Get your head in the game" Prue teased as Leo picked up the Frisbee.
Once they got board of this game, they switched to badminton. It tuned out the entire family sucked at this game, no one managed to hit the birdie, and the children couldn't even serve properly. After a few attempts they gave up and played soccer instead. Coop and Henry were team captain so they got to pick their teammates.
"I Pick Prue, Phoebe, Leo, P.J., Chris and Wyatt" Coop picked.
"I'll take Piper, Paige, Melinda, Tamora, Kat and Henry" Henry picked.
The family got into two groups. Wyatt and Melinda were the goalies. Henry placed the ball in the middle of the two teams and the game began. Coop got the ball but it was soon stolen by Chris you made close to goal when Phoebe came and kicked it to P.J. who kicked it so hard it flew into the air and knocked Wyatt down when it hit his stomach. Leo healed his stomach and told P.J. to kick less hard.
They counted it as a point anyways and the ball was put back in the middle of the two teams. This time Piper got the ball but it was stolen right away by Paige.
"Hey we're one the same team" Piper shouted at her.
"I know" Paige shouted back.
Paige ran all the way to goal kicked the ball, Wyatt caught it before it went into the goal. When Henry's team got to 21 points the game ended and his team won. Then Phoebe made lunch while the others played freeze tag. Andy got back with the babies just as Phoebe finished serving lunch.
"You're late sit down and I'll make an exception this time" Phoebe teased as she prepared two more sandwiches.
Phoebe gave the two sandwiches to Andy and Parker, and gave Payton some ham and turkey. After lunch Andy brought the whole family out on the walk he had just returned from with he babies. However they didn't make it all the way because he kids were complaining about sore feet and Andy had a charge to take care of. Andy orbed out and the others went back to their camp.
When they got back it was mid- after noon. The kids didn't want to go swimming again because there feet were sore. So the family played candy land instead. That didn't go well because Payton orbed the cards around to help her mother win. This reminded them of when Chris did the same thing to help Wyatt beat their grandfather at this game.
The kids felt fine at that point but they decided they wanted to go to the little park instead of swimming. At the camp park there was a swing set, playground, a seesaw, a slide and a Dolphin Spring Ride. Phoebe placed Parker on the spring ride and helped her rock it back and forth. Prue pushed Payton in the baby swing. Piper was in charge of recording, the girls were taking turns on the slide, little Henry was on the playground, the boys were on the swings and the others were relaxing on a bench.
"Hey no cutting in line" Tamora snapped at a little girl who cut in-front of them to go on the slide.
The little girl didn't listen so Tamora pushed her hard down the slide. The little girl ended up following up the side of the slide and started crying. Paige and a women ran up to them.
"Tamora what's gotten into you, you better than to push people" Paige scolded her daughter.
"I'm so sorry…Elise" Paige said in surprise.
"Paige hi" the women said as she picked up the crying little girl.
"Elise, when did you have a daughter" Phoebe asked once she realized Elise was there.
"She's not my daughter, this is my niece Alyssa, my sister's out of town so I thought I'd take her camping for the weekend" Elise replied.
"Oh well I'm sorry about Tamora pushing her she has a short temper" Paige apologised.
"It's alright she's fine, I saw it coming she doesn't share very well at times" Elise said.
"Tamora say you're sorry" Paige ordered.
"I'm sorry" Tamora apologised.
"Ok Alyssa say you're sorry for not sharing the slide" Elise ordered.
"Sorry" Alyssa apologised.
"Ok are you ready to play nice and share" Elise asked Alyssa.
Alyssa nodded so the adults left them to play. Elise joined the family and they cached up with each other while the children played.
"So how old's Alyssa" Phoebe asked.
"Four" Elise answered.
"Really is she going to start junior kindergarten at Westcott Elementary in September?" Paige asked.
"Yes she is, wait don't tell me the girls will start JK there too" Elise said.
"All four of them" Piper stated.
"Wyatt and Chris attend their as well, third and second grade" Leo added.
'Wyatt's already in the third grade, time dose go fast" Elise remarked.
"Did you get the invitation to Parker's birthday party next month" Phoebe asked.
"Yes I found it on my desk, I can't wait I can't believe she's already going to be two" Elise said.
"You can bring Alyssa if you want and your sister, it's not going to be a big party since Parker doesn't have any friends yet" Coop invited.
"Alright I'll talk to my sister about it, she's been wanting to have Alyssa start making friends" Elise accepted.
Awhile later the family went back to camp, it was supper time. Tamora set another fire and Paige made the meal. After super Andy came back and the family watched the sunset. Afterwards they all crawled into their tents and fell asleep.
For the last day the family started with swimming then went to the park. At noon they had lunch and the children played tag while the adults pack everything up. It turned out taking the tents down was just as hard as putting them up.
"Just forget it bags car" Paige orbed the bags to the car.
After orbing all their belonging to into the car, Paige casted a spell to take down the tents. After packing them up in the cars the kids got in and the family drove home. It had been a fun family weekend, and it had been a good experience for the kids. Most importantly it made Henry happy and made him know he was important to the family.