We finally took the plunge.
After talking about it for months, we finally borrowed our neighbors' tent and went for it: camping in the back yard, with our two young kiddos.
One was very excited about it, while the other was a bit reluctant.
After the tent was set up, the sleeping bags and blankets were laid out, the pillows were put in place and the toys and books were strewn properly...after teeth were brushed and potties were used one last time, we all got in, zipped the door shut, and started our adventure.
Which quickly turned into misery.
Everyone was visibly tired, so after 20 minutes of book-reading and laughing, we found our pillows, snuggled in, put the blanket on top, and said our Goodnight's. The light was turned out, and Danae quickly and easily hunkered down and attempted to fall asleep. Caedon, on the other hand...
He twisted here, rolled there, jumped on Daddy's back, laid back down, whined, stood up, ran over there, jumped over here, couldn't find his Bear, whined some more, snuggled into Mommy, pulled Danae's hair, found Bear and the sippy cup, snuggled into Daddy, stood back up...and finally declared, "Sleep in crib! House! Sleep in crib!" And the crying began (on all accounts).
I tell you, that boy is totally a creature of habit.
After 30 minutes of calming him down, he finally nodded off. Then at 2:00am, when nature called and my back was throbbing in pain...when we realized that our kids' faces were ice-cold and that I might not ever be able to walk again, Hubby and I made the decision to go back into the house, to our WARM padded bed. Caedon woke when he heard us talking, and upon learning that he could possibly go back to his crib, he immediately jumped up, grabbed his prized possessions (sippy cup and Bear), and headed for the door. We bribed Danae by telling her she could sleep in our bed, got back into our home, and order (and SLEEP!) were restored. The End.
Lesson learned: Two year olds don't make for that great of camping buddies. Wait 'til they're older.
And sorry for the lack of pictures, but really...you didn't want to see this train wreck.
6 comments:
Oh, I am soo glad you wrote this. I am showing my husband followed with a "see!". He is dying to go camping and so am I, but we have no yard, so...we would have to go in the mountains..by a lake and in CO right now...it's in the 30's at night. PLUS, I have 3 kids under 4. HOLY SMOKES!!! hahahahahaha, I think we would get no sleep and when WE don't get any sleep, our attitudes reflect it. So to keep the peace, after 2 you say? no problem!!! :)
Oh My!
Wow, that is indeed an adventure! I remember when you and I camped in the woods behind my house with Danny. That was an adventure as well. LOL...
LOL. You're such a brave woman. And actually, I think I really would like to see those pictures...
<3 you!
I am impressed that you guys at least gave it a try! I don't think I would have lasted as long with my crew : ) I bet the kids will chuckle about it as a fond memory when they get older (well, at least Danae!)
You need to go far enough away that the house is not so appealing, but not so far that you can't go home if it's absolutely necessary. The first time we took Alexandra she was just over 2 (Tori was 5 months old and we left her with Grandma and Grandpa.) We went to Hibernia County Park in Chester County. It's only about 25 minutes from our house, so it would have been possible to go home if it was a complete flop, but Alex didn't see it as a real option because there was no visible house. She had a grand adventure! I'd encourage you to try it again. There's a campground behind Dutch Wonderland - Lancaster State Park: Mill Creek Campground. We've never tried it, but it's in a book we have called The Best In Tent Camping: Pennsylvania. We're planning to take both girls in early October - not sure where this time.
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