Camping

Memorial Day weekend is surely that… memorable. We took both of you boys camping. Yep, we took Kaden at 21 months and Ashton at 3 months camping. Yes, camping in a tent. I imagine that one day you may question your mom actually enjoying camping non-the-less in a tent. I do. I always have! Anyway, Dad and I decided to be renegades and take the family on a three night four day adventure to Cape Lookout in Tillamook. It was the best and worst weekend of our lives.

If you ask me I say it was awesome. Guess who thinks it otherwise? It is clear that Dad and I have to different personalities. We are both Type A with a twist. I manage the family with Type A style. He parents in this style. It is as if we continue to do a handoff of this personality when the other tires of it. I tend to be far more relaxed during these occasions as your Dad is much more tense. It is interesting since this is not at all how either of us would have guessed us to be as parents. It would have been tagged as quite the opposite.

Anyway, Kaden and Ashton you were both in your element. Kaden you love being outside so much it was a wonderland all just for you. This wondering gave Dad high blood pressure, but I soaked it all in. You were curious and excited. Ashton, you slept through all the hocus pocus. You just breathed in the salty ocean air and dreamed little boy dreams for two days straight. I could hardly believe how much you slept. You already know the definition of R&R!

We arrived late. It was 8-8:30 and had camp to set up… Camp Rardin is no easy feat. We have a 15x18 tent w/sun screen, 2 canopies, a 12 sided play arena, 4 totes, a ton of wood, 5 large bags and a crate of toys as well as a battery operated quad and wagon. Phew. To think of all the stuff is exhausting. Bless your Dad for it all pretty much fell on his shoulders as I ‘wore’ Ashton in his pack and tried to rein Kaden in from exploring the grounds outside of camp. I think thirty minutes into setup Dad was thinking of packing it in! This isn’t his speed…

Our friends Dave and Megan joined us. They had the camp next to us. Bless them. I would not have wanted to be at that site as a friend or stranger. I imagine it may be the last time they join any Rardin ‘fun’ for a while! We had high hopes of card games and talks around the fire, but it became quickly apparent that this was not going to happen. It didn’t even happen one time. We did however, walk the wagon, carry the quad, heist Kaden over the shoulder, stay vigilant around the fire and ward off all adult time.

Kaden you love the ocean. When it comes to water you have no fear. The ocean is your kind of paradise… the big pool. I think you get this love from me. It is my refuge. Well, the coastal shore is. I don’t ‘do’ water. You would run out into the water and Dad would follow you, pick you up, hoist you under his arm and run you back up the beach. You two repeated this time and time again. You wanted to feel the water. You loved the sand in your hand. You enjoyed digging and playing. On Sunday I took you down to the beach in your rubber boots and swim trunks. You looked adorable. I am still smiling at the image. I will never forget you out there chasing waves in your boots and trunks. What is it about boys and their boots? I don’t understand the obsession. I never will. This is okay, for I still find it ever so endearing. It was raining. The wind was subtle. It was really quiet down on the beach. It was my paradise as I enjoyed the waves and your laughter making the perfect melody. My heart is still dancing.

The showers were a close second for you. You loved the concrete room. It was as if you had your own sprinkler room. This was the trip you were given juice boxes and Capri Suns. You are officially a big boy. For the first time you slept in bed with us. How many habits can a kid have? You kick, push, snore, teeth grind, suck a pacifier, rub my hair and sniff your bear. I was amazed. At least I was entertained during these long cold sleepless nights. I felt so blessed you had your own bed, which is in your own bedroom.

Ashton you slept each trip to the beach. You love your pack. I think you will share in our love of the shore too. You are already a water boy. I can’t wait for this time next year. It will be such a different time. It will be a thrill to see you boys dig, run and catch waves together. I hope Dad has the chase in him.

We left a night early. The weather was going to turn. We learned our lesson from Camp Rardin Labor Day Weekend 2009. We were flooded out that year. We didn’t want nor need a repeat of the same camping episode. This would have been stupidity. The rain was starting to really come down. We tore camp down like a tornado with the help of Dave. It was fast and furious. We left around 8:00.

Confession: Dad and I are not our best selves during these times. He is the first to admit he lacks patience. So, we were not our best selves. it is something we work at. My hope is we will have it figured out by the time you actually read this! Anyway, he was uptight and I was irritated. He was miserable and it showed. On our way out of camp I apologized for the weekend. I vowed we wouldn’t camp again until summer 2012 unless we buy a camper. He smiled and sweetly replied, “I had a really good day!” I laughed… I bet he did. He was going home.