Camping!!

It is that time of year again, spring/summer, it makes you want to dist off yourself and get back to nature, this post is all about camping, some of you probably like the actual roughing it type of camping but that is not the kind I am referring too! lol! I am talking about a camper and a bed and everything lol! That is my kind of camping and this post is all about preparing you for that kind of camping!! First off you need a list, everything in my life starts with a list,...everything. So here we go:
Swimming pool

Bug tent

Baby wipes

Toys

Aloe Vera

Vaseline

Lotion

Benadryl

Calamine

Band-Aids

Allergy meds

Coffee

Sugar

Advil

Bandages

Snacks

Chips

Food

Ketchup, mustard, mayo, honey, etc

Drinks: pop, water,  juice boxes, milk

Ice

Movies

Event list

Dishes

Warm clothes

Cool clothes

Swim suit

Socks

Pj’s

Sunscreen

Pony tails

Bug Spray

Hair products

Make up

Shaving kit

Medicine

Pillows

Tablet

Chargers

This is the list I save every year and as the summer goes on if I think of something to add the list is ready and waiting for me the next summer, guaranteed I will remember everything this way, I figure it is the one who is prepared that the accidents never seem to happen too! I am so excited to get my camper out and clean it out and start packing everything, we spend a lot of time in our camper traveling across the Prairies following the Chuck Wagon and Chariot races, nothing but races, rodeos, fairs and parades with great family and friends, it just doesn't get any better than this! Every single weekend we head out requires some planning, but I love to plan events! Now traveling with a child can have it's challenges, but I have found that if you are prepared it will go much better, for instance: let's start with the vehicle, we usually have a 2 hour drive or more to each race track, so we start with our #1 life saver, the dvd player in the car, love it, and if you don't have one, get one. It will be the best 100$ you ever spent, (just some parenting advice from me to you, lol) next snacks, and drinks always help, usually we give our daughter a treat, something she doesn't normally get, so she is excited and happy! Then we have this wonderful activity table,

Something like this one, it is great and this way she can color and make crafts and keep herself entertained for a long trip. Plus along the way we point out every animal, barn and tractor along the way. We are very lucky to have a little girl who doesn't mind traveling. 

It may be a lot of working, packing and unpacking, the travel etc, but once you get there it is all worth it, no matter what you have planned for your weekend away, whether it be nothing but you and the stars, or a week and the beach, either way enjoy it, relax! I plan ahead as much as I can so I can relax, including meal planning for camping! This is a great place to implement meal planning, this way you are only hauling the food that you need so let me give you some examples of meals we have when camping, Breakfast: is usually home made muffins that I bake the day before we leave so they will stay fresh the whole trip, or english muffins with egg and cheese, sometimes ham, raisin bread and peanut butter with banana, I love breakfast in the camper, lunch: Bagels with flavored cream cheese, (smoked salmon is my favorite! yum!) hot dogs and veggies with dip or tuna melts Supper: home made pizza pops made on site in our sandwich maker, burgers and corn on the cob, garlic sausage and perogies, smokies, loaded baked potatoes, pasta and garlic bread or we sometimes go out to a local restaurant for supper or eat at the race track canteen it's always nice to take a break from cooking Dessert: smores made in the sandwich maker: Nutella on raisin bread with marshmallows or home made cookies made the day before we leave, my hubby hates to travel with out my "best ever chocolate chip cookies" can't blame him, they are awesome, here is the recipe in case you want it, 

Best Ever Chocolate chip cookies

1 c marg

2 ½ c flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/2c white sugar

¾ c brown sugar

1 tsp vanilla

1pkg instant vanilla pudding (4servings)

2 eggs

1 - 12 oz package chocolate chips (I only use half the package, the whole package is WAY too much)

Cream eggs, marg, sugars and vanilla.  Add all dry ingredients then chocolate chips.  Bake 350 degrees f oven for 8 minutes. I always double the recipe cause they disappear fast!

Enjoy! 

 Now of course these foods are treats not something we can eat everyday, but when we travel it is nice to have some treats!

Next we always plan crafts for our little 3 year old, but we are usually so busy visiting and playing and watching the races that we never used them, even on rainy days, it was nice to just take a nap instead

Ahh Nothing better than a good ol' afternoon nap in the warm camper! 

now if you aren't aware of the MPCCA Manitoba Pony Chuck Wagon and Chariot Association, you should be, lol, here is a link to their website, http://www.manitobachuckwagon.com/ here are a few pictures from summer 2012 following the MPCCA 

You want to talk about a great summer! This summer was awesome, family fun for everyone! So pull out your camper and camp anyway that makes you happy, whatever that maybe, and hopefully this post will help you to be a little better prepared so you can just relax!! Happy Camping!