Ranch Camp 2009 – City Kids Meet Pioneer Woman Kids -- Let the Games Begin
We are beginning our 2nd annual tradition of "Ranch Camp" at Papa's ranch in Oklahoma. Our original goal was to depart on July 1 and spend the entire month at the ranch. We adjusted this to depart after July 4th, once we learned that our Kentucky cousins would be visiting during that time. We were then leaving on July 6… July 7… and finally July 8 was to be the day! Packing was a daunting chore for mom. I procrastinated as long as I could. After the packing job taking longer than expected, Just as I was about to close up the house to begin our 10 hour drive to Papa's ranch, Ben stripped naked just for the heck of it. As I was dressing him, more messes insued, requiring another run through the house to clean up and turn off lights, etc. We were finally ready to depart at 2pm, after our goal of 10am failed. Due to our late departure, Anthony proclaimed that we should just wait yet another day. I exclaimed "Absolutely Not!". We will leave now, and persevere."… And so we did. We are no longer in diapers after 9 straight years, but little Ben still has a small bladder, so this trip included potty stops at least once an hour, and sometimes twice. Every time we stop, all four kids unbuckle and start moving around, even if they have no potty needs. Then the startup includes the whole process of the kids negotiating seats, arguing about this or that toy or snack item, and buckling back up… my patience was definitely tested this trip, but we made it, and for the most part, the kids are great travelers.
We arrived at Papa's ranch on Wednesday at almost midnight after a long day of packing and driving our 10 hour trek. Papa informed us that he was expecting the twins to work cattle at 5am on Thursday. We would not let our late traveling keep us from the work that needed to begin. Kids slept in the car, so they got more sleep than I, so it would work out okay. We arrive at midnight, kids in bed in the cowboy house by 1am, mom finished unloading the car, including the roof carrier with dog crate and golf clubs by 1:30am. Mom is finally in bed, after a quick staging of the bags to allow for locating boots and jeans for working tomorrow. The full unpacking will begin Thursday. I tell myself that this enriching experience for my children is worth the monumental work of moving this army to the ranch for a month… Goodnight Moon… Only 2.5 hours until my alarm sounds for work. So good to be here... the simple life is for us!
We are beginning our 2nd annual tradition of "Ranch Camp" at Papa's ranch in Oklahoma. Our original goal was to depart on July 1 and spend the entire month at the ranch. We adjusted this to depart after July 4th, once we learned that our Kentucky cousins would be visiting during that time. We were then leaving on July 6… July 7… and finally July 8 was to be the day! Packing was a daunting chore for mom. I procrastinated as long as I could. After the packing job taking longer than expected, Just as I was about to close up the house to begin our 10 hour drive to Papa's ranch, Ben stripped naked just for the heck of it. As I was dressing him, more messes insued, requiring another run through the house to clean up and turn off lights, etc. We were finally ready to depart at 2pm, after our goal of 10am failed. Due to our late departure, Anthony proclaimed that we should just wait yet another day. I exclaimed "Absolutely Not!". We will leave now, and persevere."… And so we did. We are no longer in diapers after 9 straight years, but little Ben still has a small bladder, so this trip included potty stops at least once an hour, and sometimes twice. Every time we stop, all four kids unbuckle and start moving around, even if they have no potty needs. Then the startup includes the whole process of the kids negotiating seats, arguing about this or that toy or snack item, and buckling back up… my patience was definitely tested this trip, but we made it, and for the most part, the kids are great travelers.
We arrived at Papa's ranch on Wednesday at almost midnight after a long day of packing and driving our 10 hour trek. Papa informed us that he was expecting the twins to work cattle at 5am on Thursday. We would not let our late traveling keep us from the work that needed to begin. Kids slept in the car, so they got more sleep than I, so it would work out okay. We arrive at midnight, kids in bed in the cowboy house by 1am, mom finished unloading the car, including the roof carrier with dog crate and golf clubs by 1:30am. Mom is finally in bed, after a quick staging of the bags to allow for locating boots and jeans for working tomorrow. The full unpacking will begin Thursday. I tell myself that this enriching experience for my children is worth the monumental work of moving this army to the ranch for a month… Goodnight Moon… Only 2.5 hours until my alarm sounds for work. So good to be here... the simple life is for us!
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment