Camping Adventures

I try to be prepared for everything. "Try" being the operative word. I make lists. I make lists for my lists. I recite my lists. I cross things off my list. I thought I was ready for camping. I had lists called "Things to Pack", "Things to Buy", "Menu" , "Things to Pick up Other Places" and "Things to Do Before Leaving".

Even with all this preparation, I forgot things; sunscreen, Neosporin, grill utensils, extra blankets. With all this preparation and planning, I did not get everything done on my "Things to Do Before Leaving" list; my dishes were piled in the sink, the livingroom looked like the aftermath of the Hugo tornado had blown through, two loads of laundry remained in baskets unfolded. Surprisingly, the cats did not lift a finger while we were gone to do any of those chores for me!

Regardless of the things I forgot and the things I did not get done, we had a great time. The weather was picture perfect. These are some of my favorite highlights:

• BB learning how to set up charcoal and manage the coals. It was cute too how frustrated he would get because he would wander off and then come back to flip the burgers but had missed the "burger flipping" window. A good lesson...If you are manning the fire, you can't leave.
• 26 children playing Flashlight tag at dusk.
• The taste of well-done S'mores, Pudgy Buddies and other things cooked over an open fire.
• The sight of the full moon, so bright you barely need a flashlight.
• The feel of a warm sleeping bag contrasted with cool, moist air in a tent.
• The smell of woodsmoke.
• Princess going on a very long hike with her friends and then coming back and looking at me, saying "I know, I know...I'm in big trouble." and then her bewildered look when I said, "No, you're not in trouble. You got lost. You kept your friends safe and you made it back. You learned a lesson and you won't let it happen again."
• Peanut cruising around on his bike and remembering how last year, he was still on training wheels and afraid to try to bike without them because he might collide with another child.
• A very lovely, baby-scented morning holding sweet baby Cameron for a long, long time.
• PH telling me that when Mr. Dan threw him in the air and into the water, he was flying.
• Watching my kids swimming like little fishes.
• Cuddling with Peanut while sitting in the lake.
• Talking with my friends and laughing so hard, my ribs hurt for days.
• Feeling "saddle sore" from riding my bike to the bathroom.
• Watching all the kids put on a show for us in the evening and being so proud of my daughter who wrote it, produced it, directed it...and really came out of her shell!
• Listening to PH narrate during the show.