I'm kind of embarrassed to admit that it's been awhile since I've been camping. Growing up, camping was pretty much what we did on vacations until I was in high school. The boys have been on our family men's trip a couple times (REAL camping...by which I mean, no toilets) but I haven't gone since before children. I've just not been keen on tenting it pregnant or nursing or with a babe in diapers, so this seemed like a good summer to try it as a whole crew. It was.............. not bad.
The kids did well, for the most part. Mike and I managed to not stress out, for the most part. It was dry, for the most part. You know it had to rain when we were either setting up the tent or taking it down. I thought taking it down was the better end of that bargain, so I'm glad for that.
I have likely increased my skills at being a low maintenance chick. I have increased my ability to just roll with it for sure. However, I have not increased my ability to make it all night without needing a trip to the loo. Good news, I'm not as freaked out about walking through the woods by myself with a flashlight.
I had a nice reminder, from the camping neighbors that our kids befriended, that other people's children actually can be more annoying than my own. Still, I was also reminded that it's likely that nobody's kids are louder than mine.
It was only a few days, but we packed a lot in and by the end we all pretty much felt like this:
I still feel a little that way, actually. Only, with a sunburned lip. So I'm going to chill with a movie or a book for awhile and an iced coffee. I'm so glad for our trip, but it's good to be home.
12 comments:
You are braver than me :-) I think my kids may beat yours on the loudness front, baby sweetpea is currently going through a scream phase - fun :-)
Glad you survived! Mom said the canal trip might be boring....apparently Ellerie concurs!
Well, the one time our family went camping, we accompanied Annabelle to Girl Scout Camp b/c Mark wouldn't let her go alone... or even just with me (?), and he didn't sleep a wink for two days, kept his flashlight trained on the tent opening (afraid of bears), got an eye infection from the wood smoke, and couldn't drive home for the resulting blindness. I'd say you did alright. ;-)
Sounds like a wonderful trip but yes, you are braver than me!
a weekend in the mountains will always remind you how good you've got it at home, right?! so much fun, and especially for the kids.
I haven't been camping in many years and it sounds so fun. It can be a challenge sometimes though. Glad you survived it. :-)
oh, looks like a lovely time:)
LOVE the name of your blog, BTW:)
I named mine after the Frost poem:)
http://bendingbirches2010.blogspot.com/2010/08/i-am-thankful-for.html
I spent one night last weekend in a hotel room with my kid and maybe slept 3 hours. I cannot imagine sleeping in a tent with him. I like the IDEA of camping. Just not the reality.
When I was younger I once slept out in the open, in the woods, with just a sleeping bag. The whole night I imagined snakes crawling over my head and spiders crawling into my mouth. The next day I was so tired I could hardly remain vertical.
It looks like a good time. And thank you, I can feel that canoe right under my feet!I haven't been camping in ages. It wears you out but in a nice way.
My favorite part is the fire pit.
hot dogs and marshmallows on a stick! That is the living the life ; )
As an impartial observer, I can say - your children are not the loudest. Heather's may be. Granted, there are more of them, but this was even before the bottom three of them were talking.
Next time, feel free to take my Mike - I refuse to camp with him. I was a terrible girl scout! I really like electricity and indoor plumbing.
Love the boat pic. Made me laugh!
Awesome post No wonder we get along. Ditto on camping vacations as kids, Ditto on lagging at camping since kids. Ditto on night time potty trips and dark fears. Your kids would only outloud mine since you have 3 and I have 2.
Love the photo of E.
Nicola
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