"A vacation is one-third pleasure, fondly remembered, and two-thirds aggravation, entirely forgotten." --Robert Brault

Over the weekend I went on our annual camping trip. It was beautiful. We have gone to the same campground almost every year for 28 years. I think we took a couple years off while the hubby was in school. I look forward to going, and although it takes a ton of preparation, and tons of clean-up (I am still working on laundry) once home, it is definitely worth it! The campground is not that far from home, but the temperatures are about 30 degrees cooler than the hot high 90's felt at home. My phone does not get service there.....although (dang) other phones do. It's amazing how kids immediately find sticks to play with, run around and find "secret hideouts", entertained by just the nature around them. I heard one young teen comment that he was "bored". I suggested to him that there is a difference between being bored and just not being busy (playing electronics). I notice that everyday concerns float away and it is easier to focus on the beautiful creations surrounding me. Wildflowers everywhere! Noisey blue-jays harrassing our camp. The sound of trickling water in a small stream. A mama moose and her baby. The meditative mesmerizing dancing of the campfire. The cool air and climbing into a warm sleeping bag. Having no clue what time it is! There were several small people camping with us...I mean little kids...and a few disagreements, fights and tantrums made me think back over all the years of camping. Surely we experienced the same things when our kids were small. But, as I commented to my hubby, "It's true that you forget the bad and only remember the good." We just have good memories of our camping trips, I think our children have only good memories, too. Thus, my title: "A vacation is one-third pleasure, fondly remembered, and two-thirds aggravation, entirely forgotten."  --Robert Brault

Make time to go on vacations with your kids! They don't have to be expensive or exotic!