Camping!

Alexandra, Todd and I went camping this weekend, with our friends Brent, Sarah, Kevin and Ryan, which is why I wasn't able to post a blog yesterday, and while I wish I could have blogged, it was just so wonderful not being plugged in. But I'll be honest, this camping trip was, at times, a comedy of errors.

My dear friend and frequent Words With Friends opponent, Amber, once posted about being an avid list maker and checker-offer. I myself am a huge fan of list-making and, especially when packing Alex's stuff, am a devoted checker-offer. However, there was a glitch in the system this go round, at least with the general camping items.

Todd is a dedicated camper. He and his father and brother have been camping and hunting since they were wee lads and his dad's hair was still dark. They've gotten it down to a fine science, and Todd has passed some of that skill on to me, throughout our courtship and marriage. We love camping, and luckily that gene has passed down to Alex. Too bad she can read lists yet.

Because Todd is a self employed real estate man and was hard at work up to, literally, the moment we left for our trip on Friday, the packing, organizing, food preparation and list checking was left up to me. Todd packed his own bag and loaded the car. That was it.

And while I proudly declare myself well organized and a machine of efficiency and multi-tasking, apparently preparing for a weekend-long camping trip for a family of four (Patton came) is something that seriously requires more than one frantic mother can lend to the challenge.

Here is what I almost forgot:

• Dog food
• Dog bowls
• Paper towels
• TOILET PAPER!
• Trash bags
• Ziploc baggies to keep the food from getting wet (it did anyways)
• Fruit pouches for Alex
• Buying ketchup
• Towel

Here is what I really did forgot:

• Jeans
• Beanie hat
• My book
• Radio
• Hamburgers
• Hamburger buns
• Ketchup (but at least I bought it!)
• Mustard
• Salsa
• Hot sauce
• Tea
• Tongs
• Salt & Pepper
• Axe
• Shovel
• Dish soap
• Sponge

So, needless to say, as all of the forgotten items slinked into my brain after an hour of being on the road, one by one, and I freaked out each time, it was an interesting, emotional car ride to the camp site. But luckily for us, I had made tons of Cornish pasties for night two's dinner, and those bad boys are extremely filling, so we were fine. And I had two pairs of yoga pants to replace the jeans, and our burritos dried out, and our sandwiches were salvable (do not put lettuce on camp sandwiches that you will inevitably have to reheat/dry over the camp fire because that is some seriously disgusting stuff).

Most importantly though, was we did it and we had an absolute blast. Our friends stayed the first night and Charlie and Amber hiked in for a couple of hours on Saturday to hang out and lend themselves to the experience. The second night was just the four of us, Todd, Alex, Patton and myself, all enjoying our family time together. I couldn't have asked for a lovelier trip (but a burrito without hot sauce is somewhat lacking). Alexandra had a blast sitting on tree stumps, as the photo documents, helping dada throw sticks in the fire and dancing to music playing on the car stereo.

We're all exhausted now, but so happy we did it and had as much fun as we did, even if we did run out of ice. And next time, I am going to write down every last damn thing we need and I am triple checking that list, and if I have to rip Todd off of a business call to get some help, then I'll do it. Because man, did we miss the pleasure of condiments on this trip!