We went camping this weekend. We were mosquito treats.
Aside from the swarming swarms of blood sucking pests, it could have been perfect. The weather was perfection. The kids had a blast, the baby fell asleep in the tent with not a peep. Almost too good to be true, except for the constant smack smack smack of swatting bugs and about 10 reapplications of Off! which didn’t even really work. That Off! is scary shit anyway. Me and the chemical thing, you know? I was getting a little short of breath every time the bottle came out, which in turn meant that I was short of breath the whole time. Ugh.
Our good friends that came with were standing at our tent at 7:00 am sharp on Sunday morning. Their truck was packed and they were outta there. Their sweet baby had a very rough night and didn’t sleep. I knew the likelihood of that happening to one or both of us was really high. Camping with a baby is either really good or really bad.
We still had fun though, being outside, the kids playing, going to the beach. It’s soooo much work to pack and unpack for one night, but I couldn’t help but feel just perfectly thrilled about going. My fondest childhood memories are those that I spent camping. Having married a guy who did hotel vacations, I’m always grateful that he’s flexible and laid back and willing to camp. Sometimes it seems like a hard thing to transition into when you didn’t grow up doing it. I think the beer helps a lot though.
I’ll leave you with these photos. The same thing happened last year. That spot on her eye must be very sweet or something, to get bit there 2 years in a row. The nurse hotline suggested benedryl and a cold compress. Will most 3 year olds put an ice pack on their body? Mine won’t. We made this boo boo pack last night, I think the key was letting her pick the fabrics. So now she’s icing it, but it doesn’t seem to help much. Poor kid.
Tags: boo-boo pack, camping, cold, compress, flaxseed, mosquito, Sewing
July 29, 2008 at 1:57 pm |
Glad your camping trip went well! We have yet to venture out since Tegan has been born. Maybe at the end of the summer we’ll quit talking about it and actually go do it. Sounds like your camping nights with Vi go over much more smoothly than the ones when Mar was her age. Remember our first trip when te kids were 10 mos and 8 mos? Oy vey…..
July 29, 2008 at 5:32 pm |
Where do you usually go camping ? we want to take the kids next month and need to find a kid friendly place.
No…neither of my kids have been down the the ice pack. But, since I made our boo boo pack, its helped! Thoses eye bites always look soooo bad!
July 29, 2008 at 8:07 pm |
poor sweet baby. hope she feels better soon.
July 30, 2008 at 11:53 am |
You are so brave camping with the kids. We still have yet to venture anywhere with Emma. No overnights anywhere. Soon though we have to get brave.
Have you tried Buzz Away Extreme? It comes in a bottle or wipes and it repells mosquitos, ticks, bees and I think fleas (just in case you turn into an animal I guess). I just looked it up on that Skin Deep site the other day and I think it rates a 1 or 2. It works for us really good. I haven’t gotten bit once with it on and no DEET. Scary stuff I agree. As soon as the ped. said to put the OFF! on her clothes, not her skin, and make sure she takes a bath afterwards, I got a little freaked, so I got this Buzz Away at Whole Foods, but I’m sure if you wanted some you could find it anywhere. I would always get bit by the eyes too. Poor thing! Boo boo pack is one I’ll have to keep in my arsenal.
July 31, 2008 at 12:29 pm |
Oh, that sweet little eye! Hopefully it is only looking worse than it really is!
August 1, 2008 at 2:08 pm |
Oh yeah, the mosquitoes are HORRIBLE this year. So we have been camping in the yard…we can light a fire and go in the tent, but when we are tired of smelling like citronella oil or the swarms are too much even for the strongest bug balm, we go inside!
Looks like a tender spot for a bite – owie!
August 2, 2008 at 9:02 pm |
Oh poor thing! That really had to hurt. Cute boo boo pack though! Glad you guys had fun camping.
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August 23, 2008 at 11:49 pm |
She’s still gorgeous, even with her quasimodo eye:) Stupid mosquitoes!! I read somewhere that you can use listerine as a repellent for mosquitoes. I’ve never tried it, and would hate to have a bad trial and error, but maybe it works.