It's a little crazy in our house right now.
We are getting ready for our annual camping trip.
With four boys.
We've been going on this same camping trip ever since Wyatt, our oldest, was a baby. He was about 6 weeks old to be exact. Yeah. We were brand new parents. We thought we could take on the world. We knew nothing.
I'm not sure we've learned a whole lot since then seeing as how this year we have a 6 (almost 7...he'd want me to say that) year old, a 5 year old, a 2 year old, and a 5 month old. That would be 2 still in diapers. One still breastfeeding. And, yes, we are tenting it.
It really is fun. Really. We go with a great group of people...about 7 or 8 families give or take. My parents & one sister are coming as well. They come along each year to lend a hand with the boys. So, it's not like we're going it alone.
Still, there's the preparation. Clothing, food, food prep gear, sleep gear, tent, lanterns, flashlights, toiletries, games & toys, etc. etc. And, there's the shopping and laundry that needs to be done to be sure we have all of said items. All needs to be packed for a family of six. Guess who gets to do the majority of this?
But, it's fun! I keep saying that, don't I? Ok. I admit there are times that I long for a 'real' vacation. One that requires minimal work and prep. One that involves an actual bed and air conditioning. But I also love that by camping with our boys we are continuing a tradition.
Camping was our family vacations as I grew up. And, our boys love the outdoors. They can ride their bikes, go fishing with my husband, dig for shells in the beach along the bay. They love it. And because they love it, so do I.
Now if you'll excuse me. I have some packing to do.
You are camping at the beach?? Cool, we did that when the kids were little too. We camped at the state park at Indian River in Delaware. We had a little village with all our tents, and we had our share our rain too. Now we rent a cottage a block from the beach at the Jersey shore - AC, kitchen and real beds.
ReplyDeleteHow long will you be away?
Enjoy!!!
I will be doing the SAME thing next week. We are doing 2 camping trips this year, to the same place we always go to, with my mom and dad and brother and sister in law and sister and brother in law and a whole passel of kids. ANd it is fun, you're right. But the work.....oh my. It takes two days into camping just to relax camping! :) Have fun, can't wait to hear about it all!
ReplyDeleteBarb, we go to a state park in MD. It's only about an hour and 1/2 away. The campsites themselves aren't actually on the beach itself. But there are beach areas to go to withing walking distance. We're going for 3 nights/ 4 days.
ReplyDeleteDenise, that's fun that you make it a large family camping trip. Ours started out as our church's camping trip. But, now most of the people who come are friends and family.
Sounds like a good time...no phones or tv or other distractions just good old family bonding! But, we all know who does the majority of the work! And afterwards...everything smells like campfire! :) My guys go once a summer for the weekend...it's "their thing" and I like it that way! However, somehow they talked me into going with them this summer....darn it! Mabye you will do a lovely post about your trip and it will get me in the right mood for our trip!
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting on my blog - now I can read yours! I too love having stairstep boys and am so incredibly blessed!
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