Aug. 29, 2006 - Short and sweet - Pictures Added!

We went camping last weekend and had a blast!  We're all really glad we went.

On the way home, Mike and I felt like there were a few things that we had really done well considering the stage of the life of our family right now.  Here are the tips we wrote down so we can remember them next time we go.

1. We only stayed for one night.  Seems simple but it was really the key for us.  The nighttime was the only part we did not enjoy.  Between the really cold temperatures, the toddler not used to sleeping in the same room as us all –or used to sleeping outside, and fact that I am pregnant enough to be up all night, we were really glad we were only sleeping there for one night.  So, our analysis is that it is good (when you are a young family) to have two days to play (the fun part) but only one night to suffer through.
2. My hand washing station was a hit!  I brought one red and one green plastic bin and a bottle of foaming soap which I diluted.  We filled both up with water and explained to all the kids that they stop at the red station to rub the soap on and off their hands, rinse in the green tub and then go.  They all really enjoyed washing their hands many, many times and I enjoyed having hands cleaned that often!
3. My camping list from last year.  I have mentioned before that I type out my packing lists.  Then as our family changes, I can add and delete as necessary.  But when I pulled out the list from last year, I saw that we really liked having oatmeal for breakfast last year, that two air mattresses fit well in our tent, and that bringing extra toys for the kids was unnecessary.  After we returned home from this trip I added our new info and things we had learned.  Next year, I will be one step ahead when I pull out up “camping pack and plan” file.
4. We went with another family.  This was really fun to have the extra kids, see how others camp and have our meals all together.
5. It is most fun to bring meals that are all put together and only have to be heated and served.  Like soups in a bag, oatmeal in a bag, egg salad in a bag, etc.  Things that do not require prep.  Just one pan, one spoon and our plates, bowls, or bread! You do not want to do many dishes while camping!
6. Bring a water jug and small Dixie cups, so the kids don’t have juice boxes or some other sugar drink every time they are thirsty, but we all keep well hydrated. 
7. Our evaluation from last year says that we do not enjoy camping with nursing babies.  For us, it is just too hard with only little people and no helpers to have one of the adults out of commission every three hours.  And in the night to have a baby waking is also an extra trial.  We will see if we listen to our own advice next summer, we have ignored this same advice from ourselves with each baby so far (and been sorry). J

So there you have it, what we learned on our short and sweet camping trip 2006.  Did you already know all this?  Do you have more tips?  Well, share ‘em!

~Amy

[edit]  I added some pics for Amy at Stacy's request.  Of course, there are none of me b/c I'm taking them.

~Mike

Fun w/ paddleboats

More fun w/ the boats

E-bo taking on the slide.

Fireside picture.  Took many shots to get this to work w/o the flash.  Our boys on the right, friends on the left.

One of the other ones that turned out.  Had to set ISO to 1600 for this one.

You can see the handwashing station and water cooler for the kids.

Fireside pic w/ flash.  Kind of cool to see the sparks and the effect of the heat on the background.

Aug. 29, 2006 - You are brave!

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Aug. 29, 2006 - Untitled Comment

Aug. 29, 2006 - off the topic

Aug. 29, 2006 - What, no pictures?!?!

Aug. 30, 2006 - Okay, pictures added.

Aug. 30, 2006 - Thanks, Amy!

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Aug. 31, 2006 - MicheleinNZ- your off-topic question

Aug. 31, 2006 - Untitled Comment

Sep. 12, 2006 - Untitled Comment