Chapter 3

"Okay guys. Here are the Ten Rules For the Adventure:

One - You are only allowed one bag.

Two - Bring something for the ride: we're taking mom's car, so make a communal car bag. Bring something like a book or your Gameboy's, and your iPod's. I don't want to hear anything about being bored.

Three - Bring one stuffed animal.

Four - Bring one blanket and one pillow.

Five - Bring your laptops and chargers.

Six - Cell phones are a must.

Seven - If you have any cash, bring it. I'm grabbing mom's emergency credit card.

Eight - The older kids need to help the younger kids. I'll take care of Hazel. Heath and Basil, help Tala and Callia. Griffan, Kaie and Aithne, you guys help each other. I'm always here if you need me.

Nine - If you need to bring an instrument and/or something for your sport or sports do so.

Ten - No arguing. We know how to get along better than that, okay?

Alright. We meet back here in 15 minutes. We're going out my window."

Tristan tiptoed to Hazel's nursery and quickly packed her bag full of spare clothes, diapers, wipes, her bottle and other things to keep her occupied. He grabbed a blanket, her favorite stuffed animal, a couple toys for her to play with in the car and stuffed these into a second bag. He glanced at his watch and had just over five minutes left.

"Shit," he softly swore to himself. He ran back to his room, careful to make as little noise as possible. He laid Hazel down on his bed, placed her bags next to her, and grabbed a duffel bag from his closet. He quickly stuffed in shirts, shorts, boxers, socks and an extra pair of shoes.

Running to the bathroom he grabbed everyone's toothbrushes and some toothpaste. He stuck these in a smaller bag along with everyone's shower stuff. He stuck this second bag in his original duffle bag and added his favorite blanket and pillow.

"Tristan?"

"What's up sweetheart?" he asked Cali.

"Can you pretend that this is your stuffed animal?"

"Of course sweetie."

"Thanks"

Just as Callia's head disappeared, Tala stuck her head in his other door, asking the same question.

"Sure thing sweetie. Give him to me. I'll put him in my bag. How's that sound?"

He stuck the two stuffed animals in his duffel bag, thought for a minute, and grabbed his old teddy bear off the shelf and added it to his bag. Something told him he might need it.

Reaching in his closet he grabbed another bag and added his laptop, iPod and two of his favorite books. He debated over whether or not to add his game system, realized they wouldn't have a TV and grabbed his old Gameboy instead. The rest of his siblings started to trickle in.

He directed them to place their electronics and such in his second duffle bag. The money went into Aithne's oversized purse, and with one more look at his room, Tristan headed to the window.

"Okay, here's what's going to happen: Basil, Heath and me are going to move all our bags to the tree-house, and then we're going to come back for you guys ok? Hold on, Kaie, do you still have that sling thing from your Health class? Can I have it? I need something to put Hazel in."

With that settled the older boys quickly climbed out the window onto the roof, grabbed the bags and ran over the roof.

The tree-house was on a branch that just happened to brush the side of the house. The boys quickly climbed the branch and deposited the bags inside. They managed to ferry all the bags to the house in just two runs. Looking back, they saw the remaining children and ran back one more time.

Tristan crawled back inside and pick up Hazel and placed her in the sling. "Okay guys, crawl out. You know the rules. Let's go."

With that all nine of the Medows children crossed the roof to the tree-house. Once inside Tristan climbed down the ladder and had Basil and Heath drop the bags to him. He then motioned his siblings to crawl down the ladder and help him ferry the bags to his Mom's car. He quietly opened the door, placed the key in the ignition, and placed the car in neutral.

Slowly he backed the car into the street where his siblings loaded the trunk with their bags. The electronics bag was placed in the center of the car and the kids climbed in. Hazel was placed in her carseat and her bags were placed at the foot of the seat. All the kids except for Heath were in the car, seated and buckled.

Tristan gave him the signal and he slammed the trunk shut while Tristan started the car. Heath ran to the side, climbed in and shut the door. Tristan put the car in drive and sped off, but not before he noticed Mrs. Dreshmel run to the yard and stare after them.