not so routine

This past weekend, Coach J invited us camping. We had been planning on going camping anyhow, when we went on vacation in a couple of weeks, but, hey, camping with friends is even better, right? Definitely.

The area was nice. Not too far out, but seemingly away from our daily lives. Through the trees, we could spy the valley stretching out.

Mr J had claimed a spot early in the day on Friday and had then gone about doing what he needed to do, so when Pic, Cardo and I got there, no one else was there. This was good because Cardo and I hurried to get our tent up. I say this because it's been three years since we've camped and I was afraid that we'd have no idea how to set up the tent and we look like bumbling fools getting the tent erected (although, actually, that could have been some good comic relief). My worry was, as it usually is, unwarranted, though. We got the tent up in just a few minutes actually. (I remember tents being much more difficult to put up and take down in my youth...and maybe they were.) The rest of the party arrived shortly thereafter.

The camping was great and relaxing. Meals had been planned out (not by us, because that would require organization...we're working on it) so they all went incredibly smoothly and were mighty tasty. The kidlets got on really well (I was expecting a lot more meltdowns from Pic, especially after she had one not too long after we got there). The tent didn't blow away, although it threatened to the second day. No one fell into the fire. S'mores were consumed. All was good.

It was a bit surreal going camping with the kids, though. When I was growing up, camping was something we did somewhat regularly (at least once a year). I'm told my first camping trip was when I was something like four months old (oh brave parents!). I'd be one of the kids camping with the grownups. Now, I'm one of the grownups camping with my kid. So, so weird, but also wonderful in a this-is-the-kind-of-tradition-I'd-like-to keep kind of way.

We took Pic camping when she was one-and-a-half. We tried again last year, but the place we went was way too hot. We have got to make this a priority from here on out.

As is normal for me, I didn't take nearly enough pictures, but I'll post a couple of the ones I did snap. (I've got to work on getting more pictures. I always regret not having enough.)





Pic holding the pinecones by their handles. Yes, pinecones have handles. Destructor flying down the hill.






Chillin' out, maxin', relaxin' all cool.





The kids driving...or the kids totally neglecting to watch the road.



We, of course, thanked our hosts, but really there isn't much of a way to thank them enough. We really needed to get out. And, we needed to hang out with them.