Mayfly: we heart the camping

Hello there!

We're back from our long camping trip of the summer. We went to Buffalo Point on the Buffalo National River. It was peaceful and amazing. Also it was very hot, but the hot was fine by us. We didn't need much of an excuse to float around all day. Plus It cooled down nicely at night. We all slept like logs.

Camping is the perfect family vacation for us. The kids took their first canoe trip. They played uno and mancala. They spent their money on little souvenirs- a fancy walking stick and a bug box. We caught frogs and heard rumors of rattlesnakes. Very large rattlesnakes. Without television and video games and computers to distract us, we reconnected with each other and nature. It sounds hoaky, but it's true. We didn't even get cell phone reception. It was much needed after the rough week before.

- - - - - - - - - -

I wrote a long list of camping tips last year if you're interested. Check out the sweet photo of our dear, dear Petey in that post. Sniff, sniff.

- - - - - - - - - -

A few of the best small people quotes of the camping week:

N- "Are we in Arkansas yet? Do they speak another language in Arkansas?"

J- "Hey mom. How do you make a vodka tonic?"
I actually started to explain then thought better of it.

N- "MOM. You REALLY need to get over this tick thing."

J- "Hmmmm... is there anything left to burn?"

- - - - - - - - - -

Come back on Thursday and visit me. We may have news about a new family member!

Not. a. baby. You're not even funny. ; )

Comments

that is one AMAZING swimming hole! wow.
sounds like a great trip and I am loving the kid quotes :)

Posted by: Vanessa | July 27, 2010 4:36 PM

so how does N do with mancala? i was wondering if my urchins would enjoy it

my kids have started to occasionally watch food tv this summer and a couple of weeks ago while I was making dinner Tristan shouted from the family room, "Mama, are me and Katie allowed to have vodka?"

Posted by: Mama Urchin | July 27, 2010 4:47 PM

I'm so glad you guys were able to recharge. That vacation couldn't have come at a better time.

Posted by: rach | July 27, 2010 4:54 PM

this makes me want to pack up and go right now.
and i still do reference last years camping tips, btw.
and i did skip a beat with that "new family member" thing.

also:
we made margaritas a couple of weeks ago, and apparently one of the girls already knew how to salt a glass. and give a tutorial to the rest of them.
how proud i am. indeed.

xo, alicia. so glad to read this here!
enjoy.

Posted by: tara thayer | July 27, 2010 5:04 PM

i want to be there. it looks like heaven. (and i saw something elsewhere that gives me a clue about this new family member. big smiles.) xo.

Posted by: emily | July 27, 2010 9:16 PM

You are so right about the unplugged time - it's the very best bit about being away from it all.

Those quotes are priceless.

Posted by: Ali | July 28, 2010 1:25 AM

I am very much looking forward to our trip away - 5 more days.

I have already broken out my tent and and I am sleeping in it in the back yard to offset the incredible heat.

Posted by: Ramona | July 28, 2010 8:39 AM

Looks like a gorgeous place - I love that picture of the grass catching the sunlight.

We've just returned from camping, too. Luckily no ticks...