As I mentioned a few posts back, a few years ago Andy and I decided to prioritize one-on-one, multi-day adventures with our kids and each other. It’s simple in concept but harder than I thought it’d be to execute. It takes planning and intention. It takes recognizing an open window and flying on out even when there’s a million reasons to stay put (psa: there’ll always be a million reasons.)

When I grow up I want to love animals like Jane Goodall, be an author and a part-time photographer.

Getting away (without cell service a major bonus) opens up time to just Be. Together. Talking on the drive, planning the day, problem-solving, sharing the chores. We’ve found taking a full few days with one daughter opens up listening and communicating in a heartlove, foundational way.

Mama, has Margot always been more independent than me? Was she ever nervous to do things without you? I just always want to be with you.

This weekend Andy and Margot adventured in Seattle for a jump rope comp / to see family. Ruby and I went camping. I am pretty good at walking out the door of a messy home in favor of adventuring but I still had to dig deep to make this one happen. A full load of clean dishes in the dishwasher with a full load of dirties on the counter, a garden that needs attention, chicken coop that needs mending, so many half-baked projects languishing and I always have work to do (one of the pitfalls of working from home…it’s always just right there.)

But I know this to be true: getting out into nature with my kids never, ever disappoints. Ever. Always a huge payoff. So when Ruby told me she really wanted to go camping with me (even though it was raining and a predicted low of 36ºF) I looked into those oceanic eyes and said yes before I could even think about why not.

Do you ever think about if you were a fish or a bird or a dog? I feel most like a llama. Or a penguin.

I love camping so much. Tomorrow can I have tea while you do two french braids in my hair?

We did her favorite things: dog cuddling, writing, reading, hammocking, biking, dreaming of what-ifs, popcorn eating, fire building and laying in our sleeping bags as long as we felt like it in the morning. It was tops.

Click to see a few favorite camp tools.