I'm sure I had an excellent reason for this.

[rivka]

I'm taking the kids camping tomorrow. Without Michael. (He Doesn't Camp.)

I used to camp as a child, and as a much younger woman. I was even a Girl Scout camp counselor, two summers in a row. But then I developed progressively worsening arthritis, and on the other side of the hip replacement I never got around to trying camping again.

What I wanted to do was take Alex camping. I figured sometime this summer we'd be able to go, and so I've been gathering the necessary equipment on gift-giving holidays. But Colin is not sleeping through the night and he's still nursing a lot, and so here he is coming along with us.

We're starting very modestly indeed. We're going to a state park campground in Delaware with two other families from our homeschooling group, one of whom we know slightly and the other of whom we don't know at all. It will just be one night - about 30 hours in all. It's not supposed to rain. The families will be taking turns cooking, so I'll only have one meal to prepare while keeping Colin out of the campfire. The kids will presumably all entertain each other.

The only thing that's semi tricky is that we're camping on what they call their "primitive loop," where not only are there no RV parking spaces but you are also not allowed to drive your car up. Once we're settled in, I'm sure it will be lovely to not have to worry about the kids playing in the road, but I'm a little worried about getting all of our gear to our campsite while carrying Colin. Not to mention the logistics of hauling the kids to the bath house multiple times a day, or what happens if Alex needs to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night and Colin is restless and can't be left. Or if the kids won't sleep at all.

But I am concentrating on the Good Stuff: Alex's first campfire. Making S'mores. Taking her out to look at the stars, which will probably be pretty impressive in a primitive camping area. (Please don't be overcast.) Colin chasing around at the heels of the big kids - his favorite thing ever. Relaxing in a camp chair and watching my children explore nature. Alex's excitement and bliss at the whole idea. (Me: "Tomorrow morning we leave for our camping trip." Alex: "Is this evening? ...Don't you wish evening only lasted for one minute? And night only lasted for one second?!?!")

Maybe I did have an excellent reason for this. Surely I did. Right?

...I'll let you know Sunday afternoon.

Comments

[treadpath.livejournal.com]

It sounds idyllic... hope you all have a wonderful time! :)

[kalmn.livejournal.com]

it will have been fun. honest. hang in there!

[acceberskoorb.livejournal.com]

Sounds like you've made the perfect plan for a good first camp. That is so you. Have a great time!

[wcg.livejournal.com]

It's a great idea. Alex is going to remember this for ever.

[nex0s.livejournal.com]

It's going to be great! And as for travel with toddler - I'm freaking out going, "I'm going to travel all over the US with J by myself?! WTF WAS I THINKING!" Then I remind myself that it will be awesome and occasionally challenging but still awesome.

The only suggestion I can make about getting to the camping spot is Colin in a backpack carrier if you have one. Or frontpack. Or a leash that Alex holds @.@

N.

[fairoriana.livejournal.com]

Ah, that familiar feeling of "What was I thinking?" But I have confidence in you and in your family. Keeping a toddler out of the campfire ended up being easier than I thought it would be. (Barricade it with the picnic table and make sure all the action is on the other side.) Bring a stroller with straps for when you MUST be able to have your hands free. The night potty thing, though, I can't help you with since Grey is still in pullups at night.

And most of all, have a FANTASTIC time.

[graceo.livejournal.com]

Would Colin and Alex be up for a game of tag along the trail? This sometimes works well for keeping my 3yo moving in the same direction as my 9yo when we can't carry her.

It sounds like a great trip, and I hope you have a wonderful time. And if you don't, come home early.

[laurarey.livejournal.com]

I will wait with great anticipation on your follow-up post. :) I just took Rachel "camping" with Grandma in her RV Monday and Tuesday. It was an adventure, but not really camping. She loved it though.