Tent Camping

We decided to try a new adventure this weekend. Well, not so new to me and Chris, but it was Madelyn’s first time camping in a tent. Last year we decided to scale down a bit and trade in our 5^th wheel for a tent! Yes, people. A tent. Madelyn has been obsessed with tents for a while now, and we were excited to find out if she would feel the same way if we actually had to live in one for a weekend.

As our luck would have it, she LOVED it! She would often refer to the tent as our house, and I would quickly remind her that it was our “weekend house.” After all, Momma seriously could not sleep in a tent for more than a few days. But it was truly a great weekend!

Work for both Chris and I has been more than a little crazy, and plopping ourselves down in the middle of the woods (literally) was a wonderful way to unwind. Of course, the best part was getting out of the 105 degree weather and into the mid 70s. Ahhh…. Glorious. Just glorious.

After we found a camp site, Madelyn could hardly contain her excitement! Chris and I couldn’t move fast enough for her as she eagerly waited for us to “GET THE TENT UP!” Finally, the tent was up, and before anything else could go into it, she had to do a little “welcome to woods” song and dance inside. The song went something like this, “ We’re in the WOODS! We’re camping, camping, camping….in the woo.oo.oo.oods. Forever!” She loves to make up songs, and will easily create location-appropriate lyrics to whatever rhythm she feels she can also dance to over and over again. It’s quite entertaining.

Chris and I eventually managed to add a few important items to the tent (Um, a big, fat blow-up mattress for one. Mommy may like to be outdoors, but she’s too old for sleeping on the ground. Ha.) Madelyn even had her very own mattress. We had a grand plan of getting some serious Zs while we camped. It was a good idea while it lasted. Madelyn didn’t actually end up sleeping in her bed at all the first night, and I was too tired to argue. She still does not sleep in our bed at home, and I was worried that changing the rules while on vacation might change the routine at home, but it worked out okay. Except for the fact that she ended up snuggling right. up. next. to me the whole night. Did I mention that our tent ended up being on a slight slope, with my side being on the downslide. So imagine Chris sound asleep on his side of the queen-sized mattress, Madelyn sprawled in the better half of the middle, plus part of my side, and then me, squished, half sliding off the bed,  on what’s left of the mattress. But I digress. ;)

As you all know, Chris is quite the gadget boy, and far be it for us to go camping without our tech gear. Not a chance. Not only did we bring the iPad, but Chris finagled a way to hang it in the tent so that we could enjoy “family movie night.” Pure genius. It made for a relaxing way to end our nights all snuggled up together.

Madelyn woke up bright-eyed, and bushy-tailed both mornings, ready to get the day started. Chris was Mr. BBQ extraordinaire, with the help of Madelyn, of course. It was really great to enjoy our meals outside with a cool breeze and lots of sunshine.

Chloe enjoyed the trip, as well. She loved chasing squirrels and the occasional fly. Mostly she loved being outside with her big sister playing chase and tossing the ball.

It was cute because at one point, after playing with Chloe for a while, she ran over to Chris and said, “Daddy, let’s play fetch.” Chris quickly said, “You mean catch.” Madelyn replied, “No, Daddy. FETCH.” With a big sigh Chris tried to explain that animals play fetch and people play catch. She looked at him as if to stay “Whatever” and grabbed his hand to play. Too cute.

There was much relaxation to be accomplished, and none of us had any trouble working on that. Madelyn and I enjoyed relaxing in the hammock and looking up at all the trees. Even Bunny enjoyed his turn in the hammock.

Chris and Madelyn also played some Ladder Ball. Madelyn really liked this game. And she was pretty darn good at it, too.

We were sure to get some naps in, too, because what’s a camping trip without a nap or two. Not possible.

Madelyn soon requested her favorite treat (everyone say it together now) ice cream, but we told her that ice cream would melt in the cooler so we didn't pack any. She handled the news well, but since we weren’t too far from Mormon Lake Village, we told her if she took a good nap we’d be sure to “find” some. So, after Madelyn’s nap, we drove to the village and found some ice cream. We also found some horses! Madelyn enjoyed petting them, and insisted that when she’s bigger she ride one. I have added horseback riding to the list of things Madelyn wants to do. :)

On Saturday night we went on a nature hike. The weather was perfect, and it was a great outing for the family. Beacuase we weren't camping at an actual campground, we were able to let Chloe run off her leash, and that made her more than happy!

Madeyn rounded out the weekend enjoying some new glow sticks! e had fun playing with them outside, but we also enjoying finding places to hang them inside the tent! FUN!