Monday, May 31, 2010

More Camping Tales

One of the things Nelly loves the most about camping at KOA's is the activities. She picks up a schedule as soon as we pull in to the campground, and she's scouring every line, deciding which of the activities and the appropriate times that we'll do each one. She even knows who will want to go, what the cost will be, and she checks her watch religiously to keep us all on track.

This weekend they missed the scavenger hunt due to swimming with her dad, but they were rewarded with candy at the camp store the next time they went in to purchase ice. I used to worry that our 7 kids would be a burden when we camped, you know, using more than our fair share of water or electricity, or making more of a mess than the average size family. I now realize we also spend much more in the camp store with our several times a day purchases of candy, pop and ice cream, so I think it all evens out.

It's no doubt most campgrounds know we've been there after we leave. Sometimes we are that "HUGE" family of kids, sometimes we are that "NOISY" bunch, and sometimes we are the "PARADE" of bikes throughout the day that others watch when we ride together around the campground. This time we were nearly out of here without making even ONE spectacle!! Until late last night.

Nelly had waited all day for the BINGO games to begin. She knew it was 25 cents a card to play, but she found out in past games, she really could handle 2 cards at once. I think I heard her mention BINGO at least six times yesterday, so I knew she was hoping someone would plan to join her at the Clubhouse. Tara decided she would play too. Not a bad activity for the two of them just before bedtime.

After they were at the Clubhouse for nearly an hour, we decided to go check up on them and make sure all was well. Mere and Bella decided to ride along with us, so we hopped on our bikes for the short treck to where the girls were playing their game. Bella ran towards the door first, because it took Mere and I a bit longer to dismount our bikes. As we headed for the doorway, I spotted Nelly and Tara at a front table, intent on winning their games. Each had 2 BINGO cards, and were looking for slides to flip over that just may make them a winner. The caller was just finishing calling out, "N-39" when Mere realized the game they were playing. She called out "bingo!" as she ran through the doorway towards her sisters, and I realized the whole room stopped and stared in our direction!!

I covered Mere's mouth, said, "Oops!! No one really got a BINGO! She was just excited to see what you were all playing!!" Everyone relaxed, went back to their games, and within moments, Tara was able to yell out, "BINGO!!" and claim her prize.

Nelly, of course, stayed until the end of the game night, but Tara returned to the camper after collecting her prize. That's typical of them both!!

We are pulling out of the campground now, excited that the next trip is just not that far away! Nelly, I am sure, is already dreaming of the possibilities just ahead!! That's my camping girl!!

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