Caitlin's First Camping Trip

Post from John:

This last weekend I was able to take Caitlin on her first camping trip with her friend Ocean and Ocean's Dad, my friend Phil B. We went to a campsite that Phil's parents keep an RV on for most of the summer, and they dock a pontoon boat on the lake nearby. Needless to say that camping with two very goofy three-year olds was bound to be entertaining.

Here is the kind of conversation that Phil and I would hear from the back seat: 

Caitlin: No Grandma Mary is married to Grandpa Larry!

Ocean: No, Larry is a cucumber!

Both:  A-ha-ha-ha-ha

Most of the time they entertained each other.

Mrs. B (Phil's Mom) was affectionately known as "Grandma" to Caitlin and Phil's Dad as "Grandpa," and they sure took good care of us--every meal, fun snacks, things to do for the kids, places to sleep etc. etc. I felt useless, but am extremely grateful for the respite. Here is a picture of the two of them with fishing poles (that Mrs. B bought) on our way to a sand dune that we all climbed (below).

Caitlin has been looking forward to tenting for years now, and she finally got her first real tenting experience. Of course, as soon as we got the tent up and mattress filled with air, Caitlin and Ocean had to go play on it--which turned into a wrestling match (pictured below).

There were a few wrestling matches over the weekend--all in good fun--but the Dads had to occasionally step in just to make sure things didn't get out of hand. Especially when they were in Mr. and Mrs. B's Rv:

Phil: (after hearing some screaming in the RV) What's going on in here?

Ocean: Caitlin was pulling my ears!

Phil: (assuming Ocean must have done something first) Well why don't you just both apologize to each other and make some better choices in the future.

Ocean: I'm sorry Caitlin.

Caitlin: Why is Ocean apologizing? He didn't do anything. 

Well, at least she's honest.

Anyways, we roasted marshmallows, had campfires, went boating, climbed dunes, went fishing for crayfish, played in the park and had lots of great camp food. Caitlin especially liked the many camp treats as evidenced by the picture below (note the chocolate goatee).

My only hope was that Caitlin would leave the weekend liking the whole camping experience. So, I knew we were successful when she told me that she didn't want to go home and she wanted to stay camping. (You mean instead of competing with two crying babies at home???)