Pic of the Day ~ Mommy and Becca by the Fire
We’re back!! Ok camping with a toddler is so much fun (and work)! I definitely want J along for any future camping trips 
We had a wonderful time and Becca is a true blue camper!
We arrived at the campground in the afternoon Monday and had the opportunity to explore once we had our tents set up. It is a beautiful place. We camped right next to a cute little river, unfortunately the site was quite muddy, ensuring my cute toddler got very dirty. Becca loved running wild with Ryan, picking sticks, rocks, dirt up and traveling along with them all! Everyone went off for a drive to the store, however Becca and I stayed behind and went for a walk.
Becca was very well behaved the entire time. Of course we had our moments when listening and patience were tested, however I am quite proud of both of us. We really worked as a team, Mother and Daughter and enjoyed the trip. It helped to be camping with three other great moms
Sadly our air mattress was not playing nice. Either I did not close the seal properly or we have a leak 
I am in a great deal of pain from sleeping, essentially on the ground both nights! I tried to fix the mattress on Tuesday but then Becca needed my full attention and after that it was too dark to deal with it. I am trying very hard to be natural and avoid drugs being pregnant and all but damn my back hurts!
Yet my absolute favorite part of our camping trip was sleeping in the tent with Becca. She snuggled up so close (cold maybe hehe?) and would wrap her tiny arm around my neck for comfort. In fact, I was her Pooh Bear!! It was awesome snuggling with her and sharing the entire experience!
We returned home before noon this morning. I was very tired waking early to pack everything up. I knew my back was going to only get worse so I worked my butt off to get it all done. We waited for everyone else to pack up (maybe a mistake) and I quickly bolted knowing I was going from bad to worse. I struggled to drive home, while Becca zonked out in the car seat! I was so jealous!
J, my hero came home and helped do laundry and played with Becca while I took a nap. The sleep helped my back (although now all achy again from being up and cleaning). J returned to work, Becca and I finished the laundry and prepared dinner. Oh Becca was so excited to see her Daddy!!! It was awesome!!
So yeah totally recommend camping with your toddler. Take your partner in crime for the company and to share in the work! Enjoy the outdoors and the awe in your kid’s face when they see all the stars! It is really good to be home. We missed J and man being clean and snuggled up in my own bed feels like heaven!
If you want to see more photos from our camping adventure, check out our Flickr photos!
A Canadian mom with three cute kids. This blog chronicles our lives my creative pursuits. 
Welcome back!!
I am glad to hear that the camping adventure was such a success. Becca is one up on me, as I have yet to ever go camping (yes, even though I live in Calgary now). I hope that your back feels better quickly Chelle (hot showers and massages are the way to go!) and enjoy being back in your own bed!
Awww…that’s so sweet Becca snuggling up and using you as her Pooh Bear
Hope your back gets better. Take care.
Sounds like you both had a lot of fun! Take cae and rest up now that you are home.
Just came from looking at the pictures and OH MY GOSH!! loved them all, escpecially the ones of Becca with the sunlight streaming down. Looked just like an angel! Mind if I add you to my links?
Really?! I thought for sure you’d be like “NEVER DO IT!”
Crap. Now I’ve gotta seriously consider it.
I admire you Chelle. To me (and my kids) camping is a hotel where we can’t get 24 hour room service. But we do like to snuggle in the hotel beds!
OMG! I’m so jelous! You sound like you had an awesome time! Your pics are wonderful!
Glad you’re back because I was having withdrawals from your blog, lol.
What a great tale of camping. I *hate* it when my air mattree springs a leak. My GS troop looks at me and tells me that I’m not roughing it, but too bad! I’m not sleeping on the ground LOL
Welcome home! We missed you!
I’m off to check out your pics…
WELCOME BACK!!! I’m kind of jealous. I’ve never in my life been camping. I’d like to go one day… but I want the kind of camping experience that involves showers, pottys, and maybe a log cabin. heh
You have given me the inspiration to try out camping one night with our girls this weekend. (I wonder with the four of us in a tent if we will get any sleep?)
Your photos are wonderful! I hope your back feels better.
Welcome home Momma! I am so glad you had a wonderful time; those pictures are awesome. My favorites are the ones with the sun shining through, so beautiful!
I am sorry your back hurts, maybe a heating pad will help, I used it when I was pregnant with Adam.
Wow, sounds like you had fun! I cannot imagine being able to camp like that. I had a hard time just taking the boys fishing at the lake when I was in North Carolina. I am so not an “outdoorsy” type!
Yay for Jay being willing to help! What an awesome hubby!
Hope you’re feeling better!
Sounds like you both had a great time…that is awesome!! We went camping once and that was enough for me! And it does feel so good to be clean and give you a whole new appreciation for your bed!!! Hope your back is feeling better!!
So glad you had a great time. I am amazed that you camped ‘alone’ with a toddler. You are my hero. I would never be able to deal. I (as I may have mentions 2 or 100 times) am not a camper… Welcome home. Sorry your back hurts. Can you do heat and cold on it?
Oh it sounds like you guys had an absolutely wonderful time! You’ve inspired me to try and do this with Kayla and Joe! What an experience! Hope your back feels better tomorrow!
Ah, two peas in a pod! How adorable!!
Wow, I’ve never tried camping with my kids. I know that sounds sad, but I would be so terrible at it. I guess you can say that I am too much of a city girl. I could not possibly survive one night of camping! But damn, your story and pics make me want to try for the kids sake.
Great to hear that you are gettting some rest. You will be needing more and more soon.
I have been wanting to go camping for a long time now but it has not been really feasable. Hopefully soon I will get to share the great outdoors with my boys soon.
That’s great! Ryan, Steven and I are going camping in the next few weeks, when his leave gets finalized. I always thought it would be difficult with a toddler, since Steven is 4 maybe he’ll behave better.
Glad you had a great time! Isn’t neat how toddlers “see” things for the first time?
Sounds like you had a great time. Found your blog today and enjoyed reading your entries.
Thanks for commenting on my camping trip post. Sounds like both our toddlers enjoyed the fresh outdoors!
As you know, I had Oronzo with me this trip and he did most of the work (setting up the tent & air mattress), unpacking the car, etc. Still, I watched carefully as he set up the tent and I’m pretty sure I could do it myself if needbe.
Good for you for taking Becca out camping on your own! You go girl!
[...] Becca and I went camping last summer with some women and kids. It was fun and a great introduction to camping for Becca. However, nothing beats the family time like camping. There are very little distractions and one has to use their creavity and imagination to be entertained. Becca was awesome. [...]