Lessons of Camping

This past weekend my husband, Shannon, our 3-1/2 year old Elliott, and myself all went tent camping at Piney Campground, Land Between the Lakes. When the brand-new tent had a hole in the corner the first time it was being set up I began to doubt the wisdom of taking the camping trip, but it, in fact, turned out to be a good time. However, there were some lessons learned. This would be our second camping trip with Elliott, and each time we have come away with a list of "this is what we do next time."

Lesson #1 ~ If I plan to ever came in Tennessee/Kentucky again mid September I MUST be dosing regularly on my allergy medicines beforehand and definitely while there. There was something coming out that wasn't making my nose and sinuses very happy.

Lesson #2 ~ In theory a tent with a divider for 2 separate rooms seems like a good idea and perhaps will be once Elliott reaches 5 or 6 but not so much when he is 3. He woke up a little bit scared the first night.

Lesson #3 ~ This too relates to sleep, the 3 of us no longer fit comfortably on a queen sized mattress. Before camping again Elliott will have his own twin mattress to sleep on. It did make me laugh though when he woke me up the second night from his little nest on the floor with, "move over Momma, so I can go back to sleep."

Lesson #4 ~ The football is an excellent toy to take along for the trip though I can only assume at some point he is going to expect one of us to actually participate in the game. Right now though he is happy with throwing it, chasing it, and throwing it again all by himself.

Lesson #5 ~ No matter how much you really think your 3 year old should like toasted marshmallows he just might not and really is just after the chocolate part of the S'Mores so keep your candy bar close or his sticky fingers may walk away with it.

Lesson #6 ~ Duct tape truly can fix nearly everything. Band-aids were on hand when Elliott fell in the rocks but they wouldn't stick to his hand. So ever the "man" my husband ran for the duct tape. We held the band-aid on the cut and then Shannon wrapped duct tape around Elliott's hand to hold down the band-aids. And, yes, Elliott thought he was pretty hot stuff. =) However, we also said repeatedly that only camping boo-boos get duct tape, regular boo-boos do NOT. Lol

Lesson #7 ~ No matter how you wish it may happen the cats (and/or other pets) simply will not make the bed, do the dishes, or fold the laundry while you are gone. Rather they will tip over lamps, knock dishes off the counter, spit up hairballs on your bed, and other wonderfully "helpful" things like that.

Lesson #8 ~ It doesn't matter to a 3 year old if he catches fish he can keep he just wants to catch some fish!

Lesson #9 ~ This was learned from the tents next to us. Making memories by taking your kid camping is not, "take your kid camping, leave them at the campsite while you go to work all day, only to come back at night and yell at them for eating all the food." SERIOUSLY?!?! I can hear it now, "Sure my dad took us camping. He pitched us a tent and then LEFT US."

And, (drum roll, please), Lesson #10 ~ Probably the most important...Memories last a lifetime, so make them good ones.

Can't wait until next time...already making plans and wondering what lessons will be learned on that trip.