Am I crazy? Whoa, before you trip all over yourself in your hurry to say yes, let me put this in context.
Next weekend, we are going camping. With the kids. Beloved and I, my brother and sister-in-law, and three boys ages 6 months, 15 months and 38 months. Hell, never mind answering the question, even I think I’m crazy.
I’m not much of a camping person. I love it in theory. Appeals to the rugged Canadian buried in my psyche. Deep in my psyche. Under the diva and the princess and the wimp. But I’ve got issues with bugs. And dirt. And bugs. Since it will be mid-May in Ontario, I may also have issues with frostbite. Or heatstroke. I love our weather.
The way I got talked into this is, it’s free. As I mentioned before, I’m half Scottish and half Dutch and you just don’t get any cheaper than that. So when things are free, even when they aren’t such a good idea, I get sucked in by the free part.
Another big selling factor was that I get to spend time with my absolutely adorable 6 month old nephew Noah and his chaperones, my brother Sean and sister-in-law Nat. They live a couple of hours drive away, and I miss them terribly in between visits. Like any sibling, when we’re together, my brother mostly irritates me, but then I miss him when he’s gone. Except when I’m whipping his ass at euchre. Then I really enjoy his company. And my sister-in-law rocks. I must say I love her as a friend and sister, and my brother has impeccable taste. And I’m not just kissing up because I’m hoping she’s reading this and will do all the cooking next weekend. Well, okay, maybe just a little bit.
The whole camping thing was Nat and Sean’s idea. They heard about this free camping day at KOA campgrounds, and made reservations for all of us. Actually, the accomodations sound pretty cool. It’s not even tent camping, it’s a little one-room cabin with bunk beds and a double bed in each cabin, plus it has a swing on the porch. The (hopefully leak and bear proof) roof over my head was another big selling point, but the porch swing was the clincher. I don’t think they have bears in Brighton, just off the 401 somewhere between Toronto and Kingston, but you can never be too careful when bear-proofing. See, I know that because of the rugged Canadian buried deep, deep in my psyche.
I’m not sure what to expect from the boys on this camping adventure. I’m hoping the fresh air and running around like maniacs just tires them out so much they are asleep by 6 pm. The idea of them on the loose near an open fire has my stomach clenched already, but since we are four adults to three kids, one of whom is as yet non-ambulatory, I am trying not to worry about it.
Any tips on camping with preschoolers?
Not at all. 😉 We took Grant tent camping for the first time last summer and he loved it. We go with a group of friends. There are 5 kids in total. (Grant is the only boy. He will grow to love that part) and they have so much fun. Naps don’t always work. But, that’s okay because they go to bed before 8 and stay asleep all night. My favorite part. LOL
You will have a great time and this will be the start of something new for you guys. You will be campers.
Robin
Of course being in a house is kind of cheating. But, it’s a start. LOL
Are ya nuts????
I think you should 2 adults for each kid. WOW are a ready to rough it.
I’m just goshenin’ ya I think it will be fine. I’m not much of a camper but I do live out in the country. Just bring shovels and pails and let them dig till there heart content.. Boys love to DIG! Well mine does anyways. As for BUGs your on you own chickie.
My bigesst advice is DO NOT LET THE MEN GO FISHING….WHY you ask? Becasue fishing is just a cover for let’s get away from the wives and the kids and have a few beers with the bugs. LMAO!
Have a great time and I except to see a blog about your travels when you get back.
Hugs
If you’re going to get the kids all sugared up on S’mores (especially the six month old) (because there’s a law that you have to make S’mores when you go camping) do it at lunchtime, not after dinner.
And my husband says boys like to make small fires and pee them out. What a perfect time to do this, since it might be considered offensive to do so in your own back yard.
I am not in the school of thought where depriving yourself of things and experiencing any form of discomfort is “fun”, but Have Fun!
Have a great time and let us know how it goes! No tips here as we haven’t been camping with the littlest of our men yet, but are hoping to this summer (I may sleep in the van with him and the furry family members).
Anna, sleeping in the car has already occured to me as a distinct possibility in a worst-case scenario!
Marla, you got me thinking — since we’re still struggling with (avoiding) the concept of potty training, this might be our big chance. But, would that mean I have to set a fire in the toilet every time I wanted him to pee after we get home? That might not be such a good plan after all.
Mmmmm, s’mores….
xo Danigirl
EXCELLENT!!!!! I only wish we had heard of this and were joining you – I can’t wait to take the Troops camping. I am sure (as long as the weather cooperates) you will have a trip of your lifetime, very fond memories for their very first camping trip ever. I consider you very fortunate about your pending trip, not crazy, I already knew that about you.
xo
I’m a big fan of camping but, like you, not a fan of bugs. Yuck! I am also a big fan of fishing (with or without the beer). At this point, I feel somehow obliged to point out that camping in a cabin, although one-room, is not truly camping. It’s more like “rooming”. Now that I’ve got that off my chest, I wish you all the best on your trek in the wilderness. Even though you’ve got walls and a roof, I’m sure it will feel like you’re 30 miles deep in the wilderness with the wee ones along. Have fun!
Nancy, we should *SO* go camping together this summer!
(stops, thinks…)
Nancy, we should *SO* ditch the men and run away to a 5 star hotel with shopping and expensive restaurants nearby this summer!
And Batman, if there is no DVD player and no maid service, we are roughing it in the bush…
xo Princess Danigirl