Sun, fun, and Sandbanks

We just got back from our first camping trip with D, and it was a resounding success! I suspected as much, given that for the past couple of months, she has been entreating me daily with pleas of "outside, Mama, outside?" I doubt she understood when I explained to her that this weekend, we would be outside ALL of the time, or that she would get to see both my sisters and a puppy. But oh man, was she ever excited about everything!

Some of the logistics of camping with a toddler were a bit challenging:
1. We forgot to pack her playpen, so she slept with me for the first night. Normally, it might be okay (we do still nap together a couple of times a week), but she rolled around like crazy and woke us both us a bunch of times. Thankfully, my sister and her boyfriend brought up my parents' spare playpen with them on Saturday, and D slept through the night in that.

2. She got very dirty from playing at the campsite and on the beach, which was great, but we didn't have a bath, so either Hubby or I would put on our bathing suits and take her for a shower. I was glad to have a washcloth and her tear-free shampoo, and we brushed her teeth at the same time! It was probably way easier than lugging a baby bathtub around and filling it with water, anyway.

3. For meals, we brought her booster seat (best 12.50$ I ever spent, especially since she's used it daily since the age of six months), which we were able to strap to the picnic table. It's all plastic, so we could wipe it off after dinner and leave it out overnight.

4. Diaper changes were all disposable, as were wipes. When her bum got too sandy, we'd walk to the bathroom to give her a wash. We had a swim diaper for her, and I like this one even better than last year's, which was a pull-up (and on clearance for 6$). This year, we got her one with velcro tabs, and it works really well. In the old one, if she pooped, it was messy to change. With the new one, it's a cleaner and quicker process. Plus it looks so cute with her tankini top! (see below)
5. Grandma got D some sand toys (see above) at the local Stedman's, and those went over tremendously well! We didn't bring her anything to play with, only her Lambie and blankie for bedtime, and three books for the car or quiet time. Hubby used his iPhone to play her a few Sesame Street videos on Youtube if she was fussy, much to my chagrin! It did calm her down...

6. Bedtimes were later than usual and wake-ups earlier, since we were sleeping outside. There's not much that can be done about that. We'd put her down once it was dark, and by sunrise, she was up and at 'em. On Friday, she didn't nap, but we managed to get her to sleep for an hour during the day yesterday and today. Hugely helpful in this endeavour was a baby backpack with a metal frame that we could carry her around in and set down once she fell asleep. Unfortunately, it got backed over by the van (D was clearly not in it at the time!), and didn't have the best ergonomic design besides; Hubby and Grampa both popped a rib out of place carrying D around in it. We're going to look into replacing it; Hubby prefers it to the wrap. Note: the picture is not from the campground; we went into town on the Saturday afternoon.


7. Other random, helpful things: Crocs were the only footwear we bothered to bring, not wanting to be constantly searching for tiny misplaced shoes. The fit over her footie pyjamas, so she could toddle around in the morning before breakfast. Clothing-wise, I had checked the forecast and packed accordingly. She went through four sets of clothes over the course of the weekend, not including her preferred attire of a bathing suit. We also had lots of sunscreen, and although we brought bugspray, we didn't have to use it!

On the way home, we stopped at my aunt and uncle's to have lunch and to pick up my Grandma, who stayed with them for the weekend. It was great to be able to wash our hands again and use proper bathrooms. I love camping, and I also love coming home from camping! Overall, we had a great time outdoors with family, and what more could you ask for on Father's Day weekend?