when camping, day one

When camping, you load up your truck to within an inch of its life and then strap a little more to the top. 

When camping, your preschooler thinks the tent is the coolest thing around and would rather play house in it than anything else.  She will also fill your tent with bugs from so many trips in and out, but the hours of entertainment are worth it.

When camping, it’s best to make sure your one year old can walk so you don’t have to carry her around everywhere.  Even if she’s really cute, it’d be nice if she could walk.

When camping, make sure you only choose the easiest trails to hike with your family.  Because when you don’t, there are brief moments when you’re sure someone is going to bite it big time and you’ll be trapped in this forest with an injured child.  Or stuck at the bottom of a ravine with a jogging stroller and two small kids, one with urine-soaked pants.

When camping, bring lots of hot dogs for dinner.  Because your toddler will choose this moment to regain her appetite after a week of not eating and inhale almost four of them for dinner.  Plus pretzels.  Plus watermelon.  Plus a cookie.

When camping, you must drink hot cocoa like your preschooler’s idol, Curious George.  She will not really care for it, but will rave about how Curious George does this for some time afterward.

When camping, it will be hard putting your kids to bed because it’s still light out, there are loud neighbors next door, and your kids don’t normally sleep with you.  The preschooler will take sleeping in a tent very serious and roll right over and pass out.  The toddler will toss, turn, kick, slap, pull your hair, and pick your nose for over an hour before suddenly stopping and sleeping instantly.  Your night will be long, uncomfortable, and not very restful, but completely worth it.

Day two coming soon.