Our RV camping trip was a highly anticipated little fall getaway in Miller's world. He could hardly stand the prospect of living in a house on wheels for the weekend with his grandparents. I gathered little happy buckets, very last minute the day before to help entertain the littles on our 5 hour drive to the farm. The camping themed books were a hit to teach the kiddos all about camping vocabulary. Miller had never heard of the term "pitching a tent". Thankfully, we only read about the wild adventures of sleeping in a tent. Eliza Kate's bucket had a recycled "bear shaker" from music camp this summer. We were hoping she could shake off any unwelcome animal visitors with a loud shake of her maraca. I printed off "Gone Camping" game folders from a home school website. EK's folder was filled with blank paper for sticker fun. In the spirit of fairness, I have to make it look like everything is equitable in her little world. Flashlights, binoculars, trail mix, and gummy worm fish "bait snacks" were all tucked into their little happy pails. It definitely got them into the camping spirit.
When he wasn't exploring the in & outs of every nook and open door in the cabin, I
made him sit with me to complete a camping graph. He rolled the theme die to complete a bar graph. Staying in the lines is sometimes a challenge when the RV swayed on the interstate. We worked on handwriting, ABBAC patterns, and played a camping themed memory game. Oh so cute! Since we played hooky half a day from school. we made up for the missed time academically on the road. Miller brought out his ferocious bear claw pose for memory's sake. Every once in awhile he would glance out the windows to enjoy the sights of fall.
This year our family was finally able to accept Omi and Papa's invite to their annual Sunday School camp out in Tennessee. Their friends get together every year at a family farm house dating back to circa 1904. The setting was straight from a children's picture book. The views of the rural countryside were breathtaking. The colors of the changing leaves were starting to make their first appearance. Colors of yellow, orange, & hints of fiery red touched the mountains around us. Not peak season yet, but still a very pretty view. And, if that wasn't enough...the autumn weather was gloriously perfect. Eliza Kate gave a warm welcome to the farm dogs once we stretched out our legs from the bumpy ride. Or, I should say that they gave her a wet farm licking. I've figured out she adores dogs just her size. She's still timid around the larger variety.
I wish I could say that our first night in the camper went without a hitch. Eliza Kate bunked with mommy above the cab, and could not handle the roof being a foot from her face. Every shadow caught by the dim light of me changing positions in bed scared her silly. It was an uncomfortable first night as bunk buddies. She woke up several times crying and acting like a little camping diva. Not to mention, it was pretty chilly. Once, daddy discovered the heat...much too late, EK settled in for a few hours stretch of shut eye.
We enjoyed an early breakfast in the farm house. The kitchen was updated with all the modern conveniences of today. Whole wheat pancakes and coffee lifted my RV daze. Front porch singing & rocking was just the ticket to cure the late night woes of not enough sleep.
The kiddos cozied in for an early nap while Landon, Papa and I took a little tour of Muddy Pond, a neighboring Mennonite community. It was like stepping back in time. The Sorghum Mill factory tour was interesting. We watched the Guenther family use horses to grind the sugar cane stalks the old fashioned way and boil the juice into syrup. Quite fascinating. Papa spoiled Miller with a wooden gun and holster souvenir from the Leather shop in town.
Several large homeschooling families with 8 kids and more were also camping at the farm. Miller was off exploring the land with the younger and older children. He was just one of the bunch for the weekend. The older kids kept him in line, I'm sure. There's a freedom in the quiet, wide open spaces to just be a boy and explore without a hovering momma watching his every move.
There were pockets of kids all over playing card games. Miller joined a group for an impromptu hide and seek game inside the old farm house climbing up and down the original stairs. He invited himself to a building party with Mary Kate and Sophia playing candy Legos.
The boys checked in from time to time pressing their noses on the screen door for a snack. It wouldn't be a farm house without a creaking screen door that slammed behind when closed. A quaint porch swing outside the kitchen was a favorite hang out.
Eliza Kate was pleased to just swing. And, she usually recruited someone to push her. There are benefits to a large family. Lots of helping hands.
We hung out with the horses and watched them gallop. Tucker greeted us on our evening walk through the fields.
Sometimes it's good to escape the busyness of life for an old fashioned weekend in the country. It quiets you from the day to day distractions and reminds you of what's truly important in life. No one was begging for a TV show. No reception for our phones--no Internet service. We were unplugged from the outside world. But, we
were plugged into family time. There were plenty of outdoor activities and little friends. A glimpse of what life would be like on a small town farm with extended family
way back when.
I know it helped me count my blessings of family.
The younger crowd found the abandoned tractor to be entertaining.
Sophia and Mary Kate were awesome hammock pushers. This was Eliza Kate's number one request with daddy. Then the old fashioned dinner bell rang and signaled everyone to take their place in line. The teenage boys came down from their hangout in the barn loft and all the fields with the first clang on the bell. You work up quite an appetite on the farm.
When the sun sets in the country on a crystal clear night, the stars seem brighter and closer. Eliza Kate noticed the sparkling view first. They were the perfect overhead backdrop. There's nothing like a crisp, fall night in the country. We played a game of guess that animal noise. The noises change at night in the country. A hee-hawing donkey added to the ambiance of the crackling fire. It was a cozy night by the bon fire.
Miller likes his marshmallow al dente and made his request known. He's not into the charred taste. We perfected quite the toast to please the kiddos.
Marshmallow toasting takes a lot of concentration and poise. Flashlight chasing games ensued in the fields. Before long, we retreated to our sleeping quarters {the RV}. Our second night was a sweet success with two overtired kiddos. A rugged day at the farm will do that to ya.
Sunday morning greeted us with homemade cornbread biscuits & jelly. Miller found Andrew his bed- headed buddy to socialize with at breakfast. A quaint church service with singing and fellowship followed. I was the nursery worker trying to quiet Eliza Kate with coloring books and bean bag tossing out back. She was the youngest at the farm.
Two neighboring families greeted us outside on their leisurely covered wagon ride to church. It was like stepping back in time watching them travel down the road. Miller and Mary Kate were enthralled with Rebecca their mule. Nothing like a little mule power to get you where you need to go.
Before long, it was time to pack up camp and say our goodbyes. Miller took his time saying farewell to his new found friends.
I couldn't help but make connections all weekend to my favorite children's book "When I was Young in the Mountains" Cynthia Rylant says it best...
"When I was young in the mountains,
I never wanted to go to the ocean,
and I never wanted to go to the desert.
I never wanted to go anywhere else in
the world, for I was in the mountains.
And that was always enough."
A heartfelt thank you to Omi and Papa and the Lounds for hosting us for the weekend. It was a quite a weekend for our "Young'ns in the Mountains"
