a camp out

The Bell family and camping do not mix.  Wes did not particularly love scouting and I am the girl who at three years old looked around the campsite and asked "when do we get to the hotel?"  We don't own a tent or even camping chairs. I would much rather be tucked in my bed away from bugs, rocks, and dirt even if it means I never sleep under the stars. What about the kids you ask?  Don't they need to experience the great outdoors for themselves? 

Nope. 

Give them a camping night with all the parts of camping we love minus the sleepless night in a tent with a four year old and a one year old and problem solved.

First up were 'smores.  Halle and I stacked them up and roasted them (we out them on a pan and stuck them in the oven).  Let's be honest, this is my favorite part of camping.

We set up the girls' play tent with pillows and blankets just as the sun was getting low and brought our treats and flashlights outside.  

We ate 'smores and got chocolate everywhere while we all told ghost stories.  I told my famous "Zimbu and the African Disneyland" story that I have been telling since I was 11.  It always spooks the kiddies. 

Earlier in the day Halle and I made bear hunting binoculars out of toilet paper rolls.  So glamorous I know.  We blinged them up with jewels and stickers and played "We're going on a bear hunt."  Little did she know that papa bear was hiding in the bushes just waiting to jump out and scare her.

And just as it got dark, we packed up everything, put the kids to bed and enjoyed a comfortable night's sleep.  

 And that is camping...until Halle figures out what she is really missing and someone can convince me otherwise.