CLEAR SPRINGS CAMPING

Ever since I ran the Spring Equinox Trail Race down at Clear Springs, I've been itching to go back and take the family for an overnight adventure. Since spring weather in Mississippi is so short-lived (and we already have weekend plans for the rest of April), we decided to head down this weekend (after the soccer game) and camp with the Sanchez crew. Getting there so late halfway through the weekend, we were lucky to find a regular spot (and not end up in primitive camping). The little one we scored ended up being perfect though (small enough to keep kids contained, right next to the bathroom for preschooler potty sprints, and without any of the rails or drop-offs that many of the other sites have).

 Picking flowers and eating bunny crackers

Playing in the pup tent with Manu

Hiking over to the playground

Playing in the water off the low dock

More fishing lessons from daddy

Looking good little man!

Manu and James fishing off the pier with their matching Spiderman fishing poles

After some time at the lake, Sophie and I went for a 5-mile trail run while the daddies took the kiddos down to the stream for some splashing (sorry, no pictures because the daddies had their hands full with those four...)

Later that evening, hiking out into the woods to scrounge for firewood

Mama found a toad and the kids were pretty impressed

I really love how interested James is in animals of all shapes and sizes, and how gentle he is with them (and not at all scared - Cora refused to hold it)

Campfire time!

Playing with glow sticks and looking for stars

The kids slept great overnight, except for a potty incident for Cora. She stopped having daytime accidents a while ago (after two bouts of regression this year), but still wets the bed now and then. I had forgotten her BumUnders, so when she had an accident she woke up soaked and cold. Needless to say, I didn't get much sleep with her stuffed into my mummy bag with me (the soaker pad I had placed inside her sleeping bag didn't save it from getting wet), though the meds I'm taking for my congested head aren't helping any. And us adults had stayed up very late enjoying the campfire, smores, beers, and story telling...

After some bubble blowing and another campfire, we took the kids out for the 1-mile loop trail around the lake

They sent Jay ahead to "cut the webs" for them

All three kids did really well, going up and down the hills, over roots and stairs (carrying their own bikes even!), and staying close to us adults

Back at the playground

After some swinging, the kids got back on their bikes (even Leo got a chance to practice) and Alex and I entertained them while Sophie and Jay went out for a 5-mile run (Sophie is training for a trail half marathon next month)

Sliding down the culvert into piles of leaves with Alex.

And as always, the sign of a good trip is an exhausted set of kids in the back seat on the way home. They didn't even last until we got out onto the highway...