Back from the wilderness

I am happy to report that we survived the Boy Scout camp out! In some ways, it was worse than I thought it would be but in most ways, it was not as bad as I thought. Unfortunately, it rained steadily all day Friday and well into the night, so we had to set up camp in the rain but were able to keep the inside of the tent fairly dry. The clouds and overall dampness finally ended mid-Saturday morning and then it got quite chilly - well, chilly by Georgia-in-October standards.

We had a good time, particularly since Aidan’s Tiger Cub den all camped together and the five families did things together. We were smelly and dirty but since everyone was that way, no one really stood out! Aidan received his first beads and the Bobcat badge at the campfire on Saturday night, and was absolutely thrilled. He tried rock climbing, played a version of soccer that resembled no version I have ever seen, learned to tie knots and use a compass, and generally did Boy Scout stuff in the woods. My attitude improved as the hours went by and I was even able to sneak in a little knitting.

But it certainly was good to load up the car and drive back to our house yesterday morning. The campground was only a 45 minute drive south of here so it was quick and easy to get back. And the first order of business (or odor) when we arrived was to take showers and put on clean clothes. The washer ran all day as I washed everything that we took, whether it was worn or not; everything smelled like damp camp.

I am tired of boys. Boys yelling, boys shrieking, boys running, boys pushing, boys farting and burping, boys breathing. Aidan did great on his first camping trip and I did pretty darn good, too. But I called dibs on the first shower!

Into the woods

This is the weekend of the Boy Scout family camp out. Yippee. As you can tell, I am not at all thrilled...I would like nothing more than to stay in the comfort of my house while Aidan and James go sleep in a tent surrounded by 35 other families with boys. But I caved in to the pleading, begging, stern looks and guilt to which I was subjected. By James, I might add - Aidan probably wouldn't mind one bit to have a break from mommy.

I never camped until I met James and then I did so reluctantly. Before Aidan, we camped twice a year or so, and it wasn't too bad, but we chose campgrounds that had hot showers and flush toilets. I have been led to expect a much lower level of accommodations at the Boy Scout campground. As in outdoor shower stalls and only one building with flush toilets. Oh, joy.

So this morning I am assembling piles of stuff for us to take. Piles and piles and piles, or so it seems. And I am trying to get my attitude to another place, a place where I don't whine and complain and roll my eyes. But let me tell you, that place is a long way off right now!