Camping Season Has Finally Begun!

Now that the bar is over our family has officially started summer vacation. It will be short lived this year as Kelton starts back to school on September 2nd but for now - we are loving the summertime!

Yesterday was just one of those perfect, perfect days. You know, aside from the 4 year old throwing the occasional temper tantrum (which sure beat the other day when tantrums where the the norm and not at all occasional. Right, Audra?) It was overcast but warm enough to hang out outside reading. Kaylen had asked if we could go to the pool so they could show Dakota what they learned in swimming class so we had planned to do that during open swim which started at 1:45pm. At 12:15 Dakota looked at me and said "I kind of want to put up the tent." I replied that it was Sunday and tomorrow was a work day to which I heard "So? I can still go to work even after sleeping outside." It took about 30 seconds before I said "Want to?!" And the next thing I knew I had pulled the tent out of the garage and Dakota and were setting it up.

I LOVE our tent. It's 14x14 and so incredibly easy to put up. We had it up in less than 20 minutes and within 40 minutes the air mattresses were in and the beds were set up. The kids had moved in various things like books and some toys and we were planning the evening's campfire activities.

Before too long it was time to change into swimming suits and head to the pool. We decided to take camping to the full on level and we started saying things like "Let's go to the lake." and "Oh this is a great camp ground - I hear the lake is perfect for swimming." Yeah yeah - but it was fun and the kids loved it.

The pool was excellent. It wasn't too crowded and the kids LOVED showing off all their new skills. Kaylen, especially, is a water baby through and through and loved showing off how she could jump in by herself, get herself back to the edge (and out of the pool) and even some basic real swimming. This girl could be an amazing swimmer - it's quite impressive because overall she is very athletic which sure doesn't come from Dakota or me. :) The kids both tackled the slide at the pool The first time Kelton went down with Dakota and then he was off and running on his own. Quite a change from last year when he all out refused to go again after the first time. Kaylen, being under the height requirement, went down with Dakota over and over and over. It was pretty amazing to see our fearless kids on the slide.


We left the pool after a very fun but exhausting 90 minutes and headed over to indulge in milkshakes from a local coffee place and then we came home to continue our camping adventure.
Dakota and I hauled the outdoor furniture into the grass and read for awhile while the kids played. Before too long it was time to gather the tinder, kindling and firewood to build a campfire. Once the fire was going we roasted hot dogs, enjoyed dinner and then roasted marshmallows.








Kaylen was clearly very tired so around 6:30 we started prepping her for bed. By 7 she was in her bed in the tent and stories had been read but true to a real camping experience in a campground there were too many noises and people talking for her to fall asleep easily. Finally at 8 o'clock she gave up and was out. We had decided to let Kelton stay up (though he did *pretend* to be sleeping while we put Kaylen to sleep) so he and Dakota could watch a movie they had rented (Race to Witch Mountain). Once Kaylen was asleep, we set up the laptop and the two of them settled in for the movie (complete with popcorn) and I read more of my book.

It was near 10pm when the movie ended so we all got ready for bed but on our way back to the tent we took some time to sit and do some star gazing. It was awesome. I think it will be one of the nights that Kelton will always remember. He kept saying "Is this a dream, Mom?" I asked if he had had a good day and he happily, and sleepily, replied "Oh yeah."

We said our good nights, tucked the dogs in (because yes, they sleep in the tent with us) and went to sleep. Kaylen though, not to be left out of the night activities woke in a fit around midnight (I hadn't gone to sleep yet but I was oh so close which made me a bit cranky since it takes me sooo long to fall asleep). Her nose was "clogged" (stuffy, to the rest of you) and she was ticked off. Oh the crying and tantruming. Both Dakota and I tried and failed to calm her down and finally I just picked her up and took her in the house. I had her go potty and then blow and blow and blow. I pulled out the PediCare and dosed her up (to her credit she does seem to have allergies to things outside and yet still - this was over the top drama) and just like that she was done crying and ready to go back to bed. We walked out to the tent, she crawled into her bed and slept the rest of the night.

We all woke up around 7am (Dakota had decided last night to take a vacation day today and extend the weekend - YAY!). The tent is still up and I think we are planning to sleep out on more night. Tomorrow though Dakota will head off to work and I will most likely take the tent down for this time.

What a great way to spend time together. :)


Kaylen and Dakota look through the Halloween costume catalog that came Saturday.