One of the things we had talked about this past winter was our desire to make some memories with the kids by going camping in the summer. Then we totally forgot about it until mid June. Of course, with frost warnings well into June, we didn’t miss any camping opportunities. I was reminded several weeks ago by some friends who suggested we go camping together with the kids, and that immediately triggered lots of research and a few expensive shopping trips. So I now give to you, our first camping experience:

We told Ellie and Adelaine that we were going to be camping soon and that Daddy was going to buy a tent. Ellie instantly started talking about the toys to pack and what we were going to do. All week she talked about camping and when some friends came over to play they pretended to be camping in our tiny hallway, with books, blankets and pillows strewn about. When Friday rolled around, we started our great outdoor adventure… 15 feet from the house. Back yards are great places to discover what you forgot or if your tent leaks (it didn’t rain, so we still don’t really know). And if the kids get cold or scared, the house is right there.

After the setting up the tent we had a quick supper that was cooked on our new camp stove, showed the girls how to cook and eat roasted marshmallows. I think the girls got to bed in the tent around 11:00 PM, three hours past their usual bed time.

Roughing it in the great outdoors.

In the morning the temperature had dropped to 12C and the girls had retreated inside their sleeping bags. You can just make out the tops of their heads here. Ellie actually woke up at six AM and when I looked over the little divider sheet she was staring around the tent with big eyes and a big silly grin, obviously thrilled to be in a tent. Surprisingly, she went back to sleep when I told her it was too early to be up. Unfortunately, I had been up for three hours by that point. The sun comes up really early this far north… by 3:00 AM it was already getting bright.

Eight o’clock and time for breakfast.

Ethan joined us outside (he stayed inside all night and we listened in with a baby monitor).

The happy camper.

That night I stayed out with the girls again, but this time Naomi slept in the house as she wanted a better nights sleep. I also slept much better that time. The eye shades and ear plugs probably helped. Our first camping adventure over, and we are looking forward to the next one.