We went camping in the Alexander Valley this weekend, best known for its wineries and possibly a few microbreweries, but we did none of that. We had kids in tow and what kids like to do in the Alexander Valley is throw rocks into water.
I think Abby was even more enamored of rocks than Jack was. Jack occasionally gets distracted by sticks, especially if they look like crocodiles. But the two of them spent all afternoon out there in the shallows of the Russian River, while we adults took turns keeping them from falling in (it did get deeper) and playing with Sadie in the shade.
It's amazing how entertaining a straw hat can be! Who needs baby toys?I forgot how wonderful camping in the summertime is, when it stays light so late and there's plenty of time for your kids to stay up really late and get really hyper before it finally gets dark. There was some tricycle racing, some ball kicking, some more stick and rock collecting, and much running circles around the fire (outside the Safety Ring the daddies had constructed earlier, anticipating this behavior). Jack also had his first roasted marshmallow; was rather unimpressed. I ate a dozen more on his behalf, figuring one of us had better enjoy them. Danny finally took Jack into the tent around 9:30 while I stayed by the fire (Sadie having agreeably gone to bed hours earlier). He told me later that it took about another half an hour just to get Jack to lay down and stop running around the tent in circles saying "I like this! I like this!"
He gave me an encore performance this morning. He really does like that tent. I think we might have to set it up in the house occasionally. I had no idea! The night actually went shockingly well, surpassing all our expectations, especially considering our last experience camping with Jack, which had scared us away from attempting it again for two years. Our secret: Danny slept in one tent with Jack and I slept in another with Sadie. Maybe someday we will graduate to a family tent, but for now this worked really beautifully. The other secret: bring a girlfriend along. Boys are always better behaved when they have a girl to impress, it turns out.
So I think we can all agree with Jack: I like this, too. I think more camping should be on the agenda before the summer escapes us. Here is one more photo of my happy campers.
(Where does Jack get his goofballery? I just don't know.)
5 comments:
Fantastic -- good for you! I hope we're not too old to take Jack backpacking some day. I know he will love it. Of course it make take some convincing to get him to hike and not stop at every flowering bush or animal he sees.
Yay! You discovered the secret to camping! Separate tents! How fun.
The boys like sleeping in tents in their rooms occasionally as well. Maybe something special and fun like that would make bedtime a little easier?
And...
Yes, you can have an award for blogging on the same day something happened. You are the happy recipient of THREE comments!
:)
And possibly more...come on people...show Becky how much you love timely updates.
These are great pics!!! We are about to embark on our first camping trip as a family of four. We were going to try us all in our big family tent but perhaps the two tent idea is a better one (Cole actually suggested it but I was like, "No, we will be fine." ha ha).
You know, I might be a little prejudiced, but those are some gorgeous kids you have there!
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