First Time Camping…Ever!

For the longest time, I’d been meaning to get out my old two-person nylon tent and camp out in the backyard with the kids. When the neighbor told me that he just did that with this daughter, I kicked it into gear and pulled the tent out that weekend.

The tent was often used while backpacking and camping, so setting it up was once second nature. But that was a long time ago. Still, my memory gradually served me well, hampered only by a missing piece that I vaguely recollected. When I finally found it at the bottom of the bag, it all came together quickly. The kids had fun watching this marvel grow from a small bag.

Bethany announced several times with great excitement, “This is my first time camping…ever.” Uhhh, that’s a pretty short “ever”. And, aren’t most things your first time…ever?

With the tent unfurled in its orange, blue and green splendor, we all got in to try it out.

Brought back many fond memories for me, and was like a ride at an amusement park for them. After a little while, we left and went about with the rest of our day.

Later, at the kids’ bedtime, we grabbed their sleeping bags and mine (Gayle had none, so we shared) and hiked out to the backyard. Packed with us were books, water bottles and flashlights and of course Angie, our dog. Soon it was time to settle in for a peaceful sleep in the wilds of walled suburbia.

And it was very peaceful and quiet…for the cats, who remained safely inside. For us and anyone in a two house radius it was, well…not.

There in lies the stress of two.

I should first say that we are truly blessed with having both a girl and a boy, at a good age separation–greatly broadening the experience of parenthood. Watching how well they play together and in general, cooperate, really makes us appreciate the wealth of two.

Having said that, bad behavior loves company.

When they get started, it’s like a spark bursting into a flame which quickly gets out of control. It’s hard to find enough water (redirects, stern words and of course, our favorite, threats) to extinguish the inferno.

The second we got into the cramped space of the tent, the chaos began–giggling, wriggling, teasing, shouting. It lasted two hours, until we finally hiked back inside to a normal routine and to our separate rooms with comfy beds.

Thus ending our first camping experience…ever!