Camping with a Toddler

Well, we had a fantastic time camping. Highlights include: Hours and hours playing at the beach, exploring tide pools, sitting around the campfire, Ranger Ed and devouring 3 lbs. of bacon.

We loaded everything into the car and hit the road right on schedule. I made reservations months in advance at Sycamore Canyon Campground because it was so close and Jed had stayed there as a kid. It's a great campground and we picked out a 4-star site.



In about an hour we pitched the tent, set-up camp, met our neighbors and headed for the beach! The kids were having a great time and getting dirty and sandy! Dinner didn't come out as well as we hoped, but we did have a nice time by the fire.

At bedtime, things got rough. Mia couldn't seem to get to sleep and was being such a pill that Jed finally drove her home for the night. Luckily we only live an hour from the campground. I managed to enjoy a couple of beers in silence by the fire. I even kept the fire going.

When we all reunited on Saturday morning we had a fantastic breakfast of bacon and cheesy eggs. Jared and I scootered around the campground. Then we all packed up and headed to the beach.

The beach was perfect and the weather was too. My mom and step dad joined us on the beach in time for lunch. Jed took Mia back to the site for a nap and we all returned to the campsite an hour or so later so that Jared could take a nap too. My mom and her hubby watched the kids for us while we went on a short hike to "Overlook Point" or something like that. It was nice to do something without the kids.

By the time we returned from the hike my brother had turned up. The kids were thrilled to see him. My parents left a short time after Mike showed up... we tried to get them to take Mia with them, but they had "alone time plans." Ewwwwwwwww!

Luckily, the late afternoon melted into evening and dissolved into night time with no trouble at all! We poured wine, prepared dinner (excellent tonight!) and took turns scootering around the campground with the kids. After dinner we checked out the "campfire program" and then returned to the site for s'mores.



Then something amazing happened. I held Mia by the fire and sang to her... and I watched her fall asleep. It was precious.

But it didn't end there. After placing her in the playyard (where she slept soundly ALL night) I then cuddled Jared. He fell asleep in my arms too!

With both of the kids fast asleep and cozy in the tent, Jed, my brother and I listened to music and enjoyed the fire. It was the perfect end to a perfect day!


The next morning we hit Leo Carillo state beach and did some tide pool exploring. We returned to the site for MORE BACON! We then packed everything up and hit the beach for another great day! Everyone played Frisbee, splashed in the waves and dug in the sand. After a tasty lunch it seemed EVERYONE was ready for a nap. So we climbed in the car and hit the road.

It was great camping so close to home... by 6 p.m. we were not only home and unpacked -- I was also clean and relaxing with a glass of wine while Jed soaked the kids in a hot bath.

It was a fantastic weekend. Fantastic.