Clubhouse

A number of weeks ago, N expressed a desire to turn the space beneath the swingset tower into a clubhouse.  He'd recently visited a friend who has a clubhouse.  Until then, the thought hadn't crossed his mind.  Until then, he hadn't realized that there was yet another thing that he could not live without.  And so, the clubhouse discussions began.

I have to give N credit.  He could have just asked that we build a new structure.  If he had, it would have been easy for me to explain to him that our yard doesn't have room for anything else.  Instead, he proposed converting the space beneath the tower.  There's a sandbox under there now, so he already considers it "kid space".  His approach had merit.  No one really played in the sandbox anymore.  I'd been looking for a reason to get rid of it since the sand seems to find its way all over the yard.  I decided this clubhouse thing had the potential to be a "win-win" situation.

I found that I was kind of fired up about the prospect of doing some "building".  At work, I create embedded software that runs on a microprocessor.  It is satisfying work but the thing I produce is not really tangible.  The chance to build something I could touch and see was appealing.  I spent some time taking measurements, sketching ideas.  I had an open weekend coming up and I was getting ready. 

When Saturday morning rolled around, I approached N about getting started on "our" project.  He was swinging at the time and seemed less than enthused about doing anything else.  I took a cue from him and found other things to do.  Slowly, the day slipped away.  It was a fine day, just not one filled with construction.

Days passed and then weeks.  I lost the sketches I made.  The weather got nice and then turned cold and wet.  I assumed N had changed his mind about the clubhouse, and so, I moved on.  School was winding down, bringing a host of concerts and open houses to mark its end.  Spring and summer activities were already beginning to emerge, like the perennials in our garden.  In this blur, I forgot about the clubhouse.

Then, last Wednesday, after weeks of no mention, N asked me, "Dad, when are you ever going to build the clubhouse?"  I guess he didn't forget.  After briefly upsetting him by mentioning that I didn't think he wanted a clubhouse anymore, I assured him I would make it a priority.  That was Wednesday night.  Thursday evening, at dinner, he began to question me about my progress.  I felt like I was back at work, trying to explain my project status to my boss.  I half-expected him to give me some milestones to shoot for, just to make sure I stayed on track.  I tried to explain to him that, since we last talked, I'd been either asleep or at work.  I hadn't really had any time to work on the clubhouse.  He wasn't crazy about my "excuses".

So, now as I look forward to the weekend, I realize I'd better accomplish something tomorrow.  No excuses.