Camping 101

Good Thursday Morning all!  It has been a while since posting, and I have missed you all.  Life has been busy, summer is in full swing and fun lies everywhere.

If you didn't already know, we are a camping family.  I grew up going camping with my parents, from towing our little 21' Prowler, to  parking our 34 1/2 Coachman at Big Bear Lake in West Virginia.  I have always loved it, and think it is one of the best ways to spend quality time as a family.  Camping is also a great way to teach your children many life lessons.

When we started camping as a family D was 6 1/2 months old.  We have gone every year since then to Myrtle Beach with my in-laws.  For the first 5 years we were lucky enough to be able to share their space in their RV.

 We spent many years loving the space we were able to share as a family.  It was a great way for us to become close, learn new things about each other, and my boys became close with their grandparents.  When we had little man, we grew too big to fit on the couch in the RV, and finally decided to purchase a camper of our own.  It was one of the best purchases we have made since being together.  We still go camping with the in-laws every summer, we just don't invade their space any more.

Choosing a campground has been pretty easy for us.  We try new campgrounds every season, and learn what we like and don't like, which is a really great way to decide if we will be going back. 

A must for choosing a spot is full hook up.  Call me a diva, or what you will, but I have to have full hook up.  For new campers, that is where a campground has, water, electric and sewage.  I like to be able to go to the bathroom in my own space, take a shower in my own shower, and run the air conditioner so that I don't have to sweat to death, especially in South Carolina in August!  Not every campground has all three.  Some people don't need all those things, it's just a matter of what you can and can't live without.  Many campground have very nice bath houses which many people use instead of their campers, other bath houses, aren't so great.  My favorite bathhouse is at the beach, and I enjoy extra long showers! (the best showers I take all year long)

If you can't afford a camper, there is the option to camp in a tent, or many campgrounds have cabins.  Campers come in many different sizes, shapes and price ranges. We are starting out with one that works for us now.  When the boys get older, the size of our camper will probably have to grow with them. We don't need some enormous, lavish camper, with all the bells and whistles.  We need a place to keep us dry when it rains, warm in the cool spring and fall air, and cold in the summer months. It carries the things we need and so far has been a great little home when we aren't in our Ohio home. Don't think that the option to buy is out, you might be surprised! 

This post is just going to be the first of many camping posts.  I'm going to write about the different campgrounds that we have stayed, what I like and don't like about each.  Tips and tricks for camping with kids.  The things I can't live without while we are in our home away from home.  Items we have made or adjusted to make camping and/or towing easier.  

I'm really excited to start writing again.  There will be recipe and workout posts also.  I have missed you all, and can't wait to hear from you soon!  

Have a beautiful day!  BJ

Child Proofing

What exactly does this mean and what age does it work for?  There are many products out there that claim to work but have seemed to fall short of working properly for us. Here are a few items that we needed to change.

Obviously when a baby starts to crawl, anything with a sharp edge (like a fireplace or glass table) needs to be secured.  Instead of buying the bumpers at many stores, one could simply buy a "noodle" like the ones used in swimming pools.  There much cheaper and work just as well.

Next, outlet plugs.  They work good until your toddler is about 2 if your lucky.  Once they figure out they can get their little finger nails behind the plastic, its over.  The ones that fully cover both outlets have a similar life line in my house as my 2 year old just beats on it until it breaks or falls off.

See, cover gone.

Another scary area is the kitchen.  Many chemicals and other dangers are always present.  The oven knobs present challenges because once your toddler can reach them, they like to try and turn them.  Instead of buying covers at your local baby store, simply remove them and put them up in a cabinet.  Install locks on all drawers and cabinets below the counter line so they can not be opened by a toddler or visiting relative.

Simply remove knobs.

In my house the refrigerator and pantry get locks too.  The reason why is because our 2 year old likes to climb.  He also likes to get up a 5:30 am and go downstairs with his 5 year old brother.  Obviously these two together can be mischievous and not exactly eat the proper food.  One morning we came downstairs and they were eating a bag of M&M's, not exactly breakfast food.  He can reach the fridge and pantry doors and pull them open.  So I decided to install a Fort Knox type of lock on the pantry.  This is only locked when we go to bed and unlocked when we get up.  This way there is no junk food eating before 6 am.

Possibly overkill, but no more M&M breakfasts.

Before wasting money and child proofing everything, contact friends who have toddlers and see what tricks they are using or have used, or shoot us an email at datssocute@gmail.com We'll be glad to try and answer your questions.  We are by no means experts, but we have years of experience.  You will save money and have a safe house hold for your little one or ones to run around.  But be careful because they like to watch and study what you are doing and before you know it, they will figure it out.

Have a Safe and Happy New Year!

Steve