Everybody knows that camping with small kids and a pregnant wife is akin to poking your eyes out with a blunt object. Right? Wrong! For some reason, before March 28, 2008 we were the one family in the world that didn't know this.
Easter had come and gone, leaving us with a new family tent. "We have to use it!" the girls begged on Friday afternoon. And so, with a flurry of action, we began our adventure. We took inventory of all the gear we had, we made a list of the items we needed, and then we started packing.
The first clue to our craziness should have been the fact that our list of needed items was much longer than the list of items we did have. The second clue was the fact that the campground was no longer taking reservations and it was first-come, first-serve. The third clue was that it was already 4pm and no way we could be packed and on the road before Friday rush-hour traffic.
Despite these huge clues, we pressed forward. By 5pm, after making several shopping stops for minor items like sleeping bags, lanterns, inflatable mattresses, food, cooking gear, and lighters, we were packed and ready to go. Ten minutes later we hit stop-and-go traffic. Then it started to sprinkle. After a few minutes of silence sitting in traffic, I suddenly remembered a great camp ground near our house that had clean air-conditioned bathrooms and a playground. The girls started to question my decision when we pulled into our driveway.
However, to simulate a real camping experience, we all agreed on the rule: The house can be entered only to use the restroom. A short time later we had to expand the rule to include: and to get the missing tent pole. Then we added: and to get mustard and mayonnaise (can't have a good dog without the holy condiment trio). ...Then we added: and to get ice water. ...The we added: and to put Henry down in his own bed. ...Then, finally, we added: and for pregnant moms to sleep. With this one rule in place, we turned a bad start into fun family time.
We hope you can learn from our mistakes. Please review the questions below, if you answer "yes" to any question then STAY HOME!
Is any one in your camping party pregnant?
Was your last family camping trip more than 5 years ago?
Do you have to buy camping essentials like sleeping bags and air mattresses?
We hope you can learn from our mistakes. Please review the questions below, if you answer "yes" to any question then STAY HOME!
Is any one in your camping party pregnant?
Was your last family camping trip more than 5 years ago?
Do you have to buy camping essentials like sleeping bags and air mattresses?
Do you have three kids under the age of 6?
Were you unable to make a campground reservation?
Were you unable to make a campground reservation?
Is there rain in the forecast?
Proud girls after setting up the tent
Taking care of little brother
Henry didn't know yet that he was sleeping in the house
1 comment:
awesome.
and that loreli of yours is your mini-me. i love it! she's so pretty. :)
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