Almost Ready!

What do you get when you add two small children, an infant, and a detail-oriented mom preparing for an overnight in a tent? I'll tell you. An unbelievable amount of stuff.

Gone are the days when an overnight stay can be neatly packed into an...well, overnight bag. These days, that's what I call a purse.

I've got SPF. Bathing suits. Floaty devices for all three girls. Bug spray. Itch cream. Benodryll. Fire wood. Matches. DRY stuff to help get the fire going (since it's been stormy these past few days and threatens to continue that legacy tonight). Flashlights. Cameras. Batteries. Bottled water. Food for dinner and breakfast. Snacks for the times in between. Beach chairs for all four of us. An exersaucer for Raegan who refuses to remain seated in a non-moving stroller. *big sigh*

I'm truly a light packer. Really. I'm not wandering around the house thinking about all the things I want to take. Seriously. I'm just sitting still and thinking through all the "what ifs". What if it's 100 degrees (again) and I need to get Raegan out of the sun, but there's no trees in sight at the pool? Do I take my running stroller since it has a viser-top? What if she doesn't want to co-sleep with Jet and I...should I cram a pack-n-play in? What if someone falls and cuts open their leg, will I have the right medicine?

On and on the list goes. Because...with kids...it's better to be prepared.

You just never know when your handy-dandy clip-on battery-powered fan could be needed to ward off the intense heat. I mean, come on. That cute, pastel, battery-operated size-of-a-pencil propeller is a necessity, right? You know, "just in case".

And inevitably, if you don't take the tourniquet, someone will end up severing an appendage. and OH! how they'll thank me when I pull that sucker out of my pocket. Why, excuse me. But are you bleeding? Need this? Mhhmm. I thought so. Just call me "Prepared."

Somewhere deep inside me and my 'what if' mentality, I'm expecting there to be a Prize. One bestowed by the Head Camp Director over his awe at my Girl-Scoutish abilities to foresee the future and plan accordingly.

I. must. prevail. .

But I have to say that what I'm really wondering about is if the weather forecast is correct. If it will, in fact, thunder storm. Oh glory.

Yes. Still excited. A little worn out from this packing frenzy. A lot ready for Jet to walk in the door and give me his therapeutic hug. The girls, on the other hand, are completely ecstatic. They currently are standing guard at the front door. Shoes on. Cups in hand. Ready to go.

Already, I think this "trial" camp out is a hit and we haven't even left the house. Good times ahead!