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Camp Sleep-Too-Little

August 16, 2010 By 30 Comments

tents at mt lemmon Camp Sleep Too LittleWhat do you get when you combine a tent, a 17-month-old, a 3-year-old, a lot of friends, and a beautiful mountaintop? If you answered, “NO SLEEP,” you’re right.

If you answered, “A REALLY GOOD TIME,” you are also right.

Our church has a yearly tradition where we cancel our “normal” services and have a service up at Mt. Lemmon instead, followed by a huge picnic. We also reserve the campground the night before for anyone who wants to brave the elements.

So, we went – carrying our gigantic 8-person tent, a bag full of diapers and spare clothes, and a cooler of food to be eaten. We played. We explored. We ate S’mores. We went to bed way past bedtime (It rained in the middle of the night!) and we woke up way-way-way too early (Did I mention we woke up way too early?).

“Take our picture, mom!”

mt lemmon with friends Camp Sleep Too Little

“Okay, make a sad face.“

sad faces Camp Sleep Too Little

“Make a silly face.”

silly faces Camp Sleep Too Little

“Put your hands on your hips!“

hands on their hips Camp Sleep Too Little

“Say ‘We love camping!’“

we love camping pose Camp Sleep Too Little

That afternoon, around 12noon, both girls began sobbing from tiredness. The kind of tiredness where every question led to more tears and hiccuping; where it’s not even fair to try to reason.

After relaxing at the tent for a bit, the girls both revived for a second wind. On the way home, however, they collapsed almost instantaneously. We took baths and showers as soon as we walked in the door. And then I fell fast asleep in clean sheets next to my baby at 7:30pm. Tim and our 3-year-old soon followed. We all slept until 8:45 the next morning. Bliss.

Tips for camping with a baby and preschooler? Bring plenty of diapers. Bring sweatshirts (just in case). Plan for lack of sleep (and a bit of downtime). Take pictures on the 1st day when you’re still fresh (instead of waiting until you’re grimy and exhausted).

Do you enjoy family camping? Have you ever camped with a baby and/or children under age 5? What tips would you add to my list?

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Nanny Nature

June 25, 2010 By 48 Comments

It’s harder to be a parent in the summer in Arizona.

For me anyway.

by the water Nanny NatureIn the spring, fall, and winter —> I have “help” with the kids. No, I’m not talking about a nanny, an Au pair, a daycare, or even school. I’m talking about NATURE. She accompanies us all through the day, teaching my kids so many lessons about beauty, growth, sorrow, and kindness.

For nine months of the year, we spend HOURS outside every day. Walking. Hiking. Skipping. Running. Biking. Gathering Flowers. Going on Picnics. Swinging & Sliding at the park.  Dancing in the breeze and Watching the rain.

But then…Summer arrives. Sweltering. Unwelcome. The sidewalks burn our feet. The sun scorches our cheeks and shoulders. The playgrounds are scalding. 100+ degrees means we’re stuck inside with our friend A.C. (who is not nearly as entertaining as Nat).

We’re not really mall-play-area or going-to-the-movies kind of people. We’d rather not wander the aisles at Target or go to Peter Piper Pizza. It’s not really our style.

So we make our own fun at home:

reading while wearing a tutu Nanny Nature tutu cute Nanny Nature

BUT we yearn for the billowing trees, the fresh air in our lungs, the cool splash of river water on our cheeks. We keep talking about an escape to Seattle. Perhaps Portland. We watch the airline Twitter streams for discounts.

We are also hopeful that a weekend camping trip is in our future. Good old-fashioned tent camping in a cooler place. Under the stars. With sticky fingers from s’mores, stories around the fire, skipping rocks, singing songs, exploring. Being Together. Our very favorite place to be.

I like Southern Arizona. I really do. But, for the record, summer is hard to bear.

What do you do when you’re stuck indoors due to hot, freezing, or stormy weather? Also – do you enjoy camping?

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hike to bridal wreath falls

June 12, 2010 By 19 Comments

3 miles there. 3 miles back. 6 miles total. We see deer (three of them!), rabbits, squirrels, multicolored lizards, spiderwebs, and a bird’s nest.

When we get to the falls, there isn’t any water (but there IS plenty of shade). We munch on trail mix, Clif Bars, fruit roll-ups, and yogurt-covered raisins.

Then, Tim asks, “Should we pray together?” “YES!” our 3-year-old says. “What should we talk to God about?” he asks. “Thank him for all this beautiful stuff?!?” she answers enthusiastically, gesturing to the waving trees and the life around us. So we do.

As we descend the mountain, we all agree that this was an ideal way to spend a Saturday. Out in nature. Together.

On the drive home, our 3-year-old says, “That was the best ever!” Yes. Indeed.

bridal falls hike to bridal wreath falls douglas spring trail bridal wreath falls hike to bridal wreath falls family hiking to bridal falls hike to bridal wreath falls tim at bridal falls hike to bridal wreath falls

WHAT FREE/FUN ACTIVITIES HAVE YOU BEEN DOING WITH YOUR KIDS THIS SUMMER? (I’m taking suggestions)

IF YOU LIVE IN SOUTHERN AZ, WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE HIKING TRAILS?

Curious about the logistics of how we hike with our 1-year-old and 3-year-old? Read: 4 Tips for hiking with baby.

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How we spent our Saturday: hiking 7 falls

May 8, 2010 By 16 Comments

This photo was taken at approximately 2:15pm today – after a 6-MILE hike with the girls. Note my flushed cheeks from the warm weather (the high was 86 degrees today).

seven falls tucson hike with baby How we spent our Saturday: hiking 7 falls

We hiked up Seven Falls in Bear Canyon in the Santa Catalina Mountains. And this is “real” hiking – with stream crossings, rock-hopping, and trekking uphill. At the end of the trail, there are waterfalls (hence the name) and pools for swimming (but fair warning – the water is c-c-cold).

7 falls tucson hike with family How we spent our Saturday: hiking 7 fallsThe hike was totally fun – and it was good to know that we COULD do it. Up-and-around, over-and-through…carrying the girls deep into the heart of nature.

When we pulled out of the parking lot, our 3-year-old suddenly said, “Can we come here EVERY Saturday?” Needless to say, I think the adventure was a huge hit with our whole family.

How did you spend your Saturday? If you live in or near Tucson, have you ever hiked 7 falls?

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Nature Calls

May 2, 2010 By 23 Comments

wearing daddys hat Nature CallsYesterday, we went on a 2-hour hike as a family. We crunched leaves, skipped rocks over a creek, listened to the wind whisper through the trees, touched tree bark, and marveled at the majesty of Nature.

As we wandered up-and-over, around-and-across, I thought to myself, “THIS is what childhood should be. This discovery, this simplicity, this uncontaminated beauty.”

What is childhood without nature – without the sweet sunlight on your cheeks, the dirt beneath your feet, and the smooth rocks in the palms of your hand?

looking up Nature Calls Maybe someday we will move to a property right on the edge of a forest.

For now, we will drive away from suburbia into the embrace of the outdoors – as often as we can. We will escape to the mountains and the creeks – savoring the chance to think clearly, to speak forthrightly.

“I much prefer being out in nature to going to Target or the fair or the mall,” I said to Tim as our adventure came to an end, “Let’s go hiking every weekend from now on.” He agreed heartily to this sentiment. Perhaps we will. Indeed, perhaps we will.

Do you go hiking with your family? If so, how often?

ALSO – If you have small children (birth – age 5), I’m curious how you handle the “logistics” of hiking. Do you use a backpack carrier? How far are your hikes? Etc.

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