It felt as though we were moving a small army of 17 people a long distance.  After more than two thousand miles of travel and a momentous stop in Portland for enough groceries to fill a small van and a large trunk we pulled into the drive of our rental compound along the water’s edge of Frenchman Bay in West Tremont on Mount Desert island.   Our compound consisted of a main house, three cabins, tennis courts, bayside swimming pool, dock, and plenty of space for tag, kick ball, or any other outdoor competition. 

After unloading the cars and bag upon bag of groceries we explored the cabins and main house deciding the sleeping arrangements.  Grands #1, 2, 3, and 4 would sleep in the main house with us.  Being the only girl, Grand #2 got her own room with a single twin bed across the hall from our room.  Being brothers, Grands #1, 3, and 4 would share a twin bedroom with Grand #4 sleeping on a palette on the floor.  

As families settled into their cabins and rooms, Grand #4 came to me asking where his bed was located.  As we explained that he would be sleeping on a pallet in the twin bedroom with his older brothers the option was clearly not acceptable.  This resolute pre-schooler proclaimed that he would find his bed!

While unpacking in the master suite with the windows overlooking the compound I spotted his dark brown head walking, alone, to a nearby family cabin where he entered.  I supposed he was checking on them but what I later learned was that he had entered their cabin asking if they had his bed.  Not realizing the drama that was unfolding at the main house they quickly explained that they didn’t have his bed. 

Grand #4 proceeded to make the rounds to each cabin asking if the occupants had his bed and receiving the same answer from each, “No, I’m sorry, we don’t.”  Undeterred, he returned to the first cabin where he had spotted a spare mattress on a daybed off of the living area and simply helped himself to the mattress.  Unaware of the unfolding drama, I was still unpacking our things in the master bedroom when I heard a  commotion on the stairwell leading up to our room.  Thinking, “What in the world?” I stepped out of our room into the narrow hallway only to see a head of dark brown hair just above a mattress being manhandled up a flight of stairs.  

Grand #2 quickly runs from her room to see what the commotion is but quickly becomes suspicious about the mattress destination.  Upon being asked, Grand #4 says that he has secured his bed and is moving it up into her room where he will stay for the trip!  Nonplussed, Grand #2 explains that her room is too small.  With this pronouncement, the two Grands begin the most amazing negotiation with the youngest eventually prevailing and placing his bed in her small room whereupon she moves into our room and makes a floor palette at the foot of our bed with Grand #3.  

Lesson learned: All Grands need to be given the option of having the same type of sleeping arrangement.  Where they end up sleeping is their choice.