Camping

How do you feel about camping?

I have a love/dislike (hate's a strong word) relationship with camping.

Things I love:

Getting Away From it All
Spending time away from phones, TV, computer, etc.
Having time to talk
Listening to chirping crickets and croaking frogs, and singing birds
Enjoying the "fresh" air
Working together
Excited kids

Thing I dislike:

All the planning, packing, unloading before, and all the unpacking and laundry after.
Unpredictable weather
Breaking camp in the rain
Cranky kids
Not being able to sleep comfortably
Going potty behind a tree

Last week Josh started talking about an early church meeting he had in Spokane on Saturday, and his idea that we should camp Friday night, and then spend the day together. My mind immediately started worrying about all of the things that I think most moms worry about with three little kids: weather, feeding them, keeping them warm, sleeping arrangements and schedules, etc. As the day got closer and closer, the weather wasn't looking good. Rain. Wind. Cold. I thought that surely Josh would reconsider. All day Friday was windy with bursts of showers. No way would we be camping tonight!

But, I've learned that when Josh sets his mind to something, there is little that can deter him. Through the door he came at 5:00pm and said, "Are we ready to go?" You've got to be kidding me! I was obviously in denial and wasn't ready. After a mad scramble, we were packed up and heading to camp on Liberty Lake. The kids were ecstatic! I was chewing on my hair.

Our fearless leader

We pulled in around dusk and Josh quickly set to work. I had to sit in the car with a cranky Diddles (who is teething), and the kids tried to help Josh. It was cold and windy, but fortunately it wasn't raining!

Yaks with his "Scout" flashlight

We snuggled into our sleeping bags and roasted marshmallows on the propane flame (outside the door of the tent), and told stories. It really was fun! We could hear owls hooting and crickets chirping and frogs croaking. The kids were so excited that we were all together in the same room, "in our cozy sleeping bags."

Around 9:30pm, the kids settled down and went to sleep. Our configuration went Boo on the left, Diddles in a nest of a down comforter, me, Yaks on the right, and Josh at our feet. Josh kindly let me use his new, cozy, down sleeping bag and pad, while he used a foam pad and our old sleeping bag.

"Can Diddles sleep right here, next to me?"

Welcome to our tent party! We're open all night!

Once the kids were asleep, I made a trip to the restroom, which was boarded up because it wasn't "Open Season" yet. (sigh) Even before my potty break I felt a little "damp" with the humidity, but I was so tired I just went to bed in what I was wearing that day. I was chilled the whole night, not to mention the sad fact that I had to sit up, half-dressed to nurse Diddles back to sleep approximately four times.

"The Hangover"

I'm sure her cries woke the entire lower camp site! In between feedings, I was readjusting Yaks back into his bag and worrying that they were as cold as I was. I only remember falling asleep once, and during that nap, I dreamed that Josh met another woman while camping and left me for her the next morning! I had to break camp by myself and everything! Awesome.

In reality, morning came early. Diddles awoke for the day around 4:30am.

"I slept great, how did you do?"

I woke Josh up at 5:00am, and I think the kids were up at 6:00am. Then it started raining.

We had some hot cider and hot chocolate and powdered sugar donuts for breakfast. Little by little we got all packed up and loaded up into the car. Again, Josh had to do the majority of the work. With a baby it's hard to be much help.

With the breaking of the dawn came the whining of the Boo

We got a nice, hot breakfast at IHOP, and the kids and I wandered around Toys R Us for two hours while Josh was at his meeting, up and down, every aisle. I was too tired to do anything else. Following lunch, I spent two hours at TJ Maxx, and came away with some new pajamas, two pairs of pants, and a couple skirts.

I'm really hoping to learn to be a more skilled camper. I see a lot of potential in it as an activity for our whole family to enjoy together. I know Josh was probably disappointed in my performance this time around. I think it was the first time actually camping with our kids! In my defense, I think my biggest problem this go-round was that I get so little sleep as it is, and then to add an uncomfortable night's sleep to the mix and with the whole nursing thing was well...tough.

This was a good learning experience for me, though. I do feel more prepared for the next time.

1.) Change your clothes before going to bed - even "dry" clothes have moisture that can make you cold. DID not know that.
2.) Wear a hat.
3.) Don't bank on having a great night's sleep.
4.) Bring lots of plastic bags and clean-up towels.
5.) Nursing and camping aren't the best combo.
6.) Avoid setting up or breaking camp in the rain at all costs!

Here's to happy camping (next time)!