camping,  Hikes,  kids

A Weekend of Adventure

I LOVE the weekends that Scott has off. We always try to make the most of having two full days in a row together.

Addi had written a letter to Scott asking if we could go camping this weekend. (She likes to write letters to us and put them in various places through the house.) We checked the weather forecast, and it was going to be hot days with really cool nights. Since it cools off fairly quickly in the evenings, we decided to go for it.

I set the tent up by myself while Scott was at work– not bragging, just a testament to how wonderful this tent is. Since we didn’t have rain in the forecast, we left the cover off. It was so nice to look up and see the stars above us.

We like to play games in the tent before bed. Spot It, UNO, and go fish have been our go-to’s so far. I’m a huge fan of waterproof games. It is much less frustrating when a drink spills on them or a mother accidentally sprays a garden hose on them. You know, the normal stuff.

We went for a hike, but mostly got distracted with playing in the river. We tracked down the big sunflower field that everyone locally has been talking about. We roasted s’mores and ate burgers and hot dogs. We read stories and snuggled in for the cool nights.

Adventures don’t require a lot of planning, or even any extra money. Just decide that it’s going to be done and do it. These kids are growing at a lightening fast rate, and I don’t want to miss it. I’m exhausted and my back aches from two nights on an air mattress. But, my heart is so very full.

**I also should note that our kids aren’t always cheery and excited for hikes and things like that. One of the days, I could tell everyone was grumpy. I shouted “TODAY IS GOING TO BE A GREAT DAY!!!” and one of my sweet children mumbled under her breath “no, it’s not”. But, guess who had fun anyway. Drag them along and bring a snack.