Camping Essentials for a First Timer

Having been camping this month for he first time as a family I now know what I would and wouldnt bring next time. That in mind I thought I would compile a list of camping essentials that I would 100% bring on our next camping trip.

• Torches or Lantern. It is dark at night time!
• Porta-Loo or a potty of sorts. Midnight runs to the communal loos, in the dark and cold are not fun!
• Lots of Layers. It is freezing at night time, even in the summer!
• Dry shampoo. Communal showers are not the nicest of places so a quick body wash and spritz of dry shampoo (or strip wash in the tent with a bowl and flannel) is a cleaner option i found.
• Kettle! Early mornings are cold and is nice to have a cup of tea in he comfort of your tent is well worth it. Hot chocolates with marshmallows of an evening is so cozy too!
• Picnic Blanket. I bought the type with plastic backing from primark. This doubled up as carpet for the front part of our tent which made it slightly cosier.
• Black bags! When rain was forecast I bagged any electrical stuff up just incase. You also dont realise how much rubbish you accumulate until you don't have a bin!
• Windbreaker or something to contain younger children and toddlers during times when you need them to be contained. 
• Lots of patience and positivity. Camping is not for the feint hearted. I found it quite tough a first but soon relaxed and got in to the spirit. There are wonderful family memories to be made!

20 Facts about me Tag

I was tagged by Beth from a blonde and a baby to do the 20 facts about me tag, so here goes!

1. I am 29 years old.
2. I am 5 ft 6 and a half!
3. I have size 7 feet. (i know!)
4. I am a mother of 3.
5. I support Chelsea.
6. I am secretly a good singer but I get very stage fright.
7. I am half Irish.
8. I have a ridiculously sweet tooth.
9. I went back to college last year to study teaching.
10. I'm petrified of clowns.
11. I sleep walk and talk.
12. I believe in guardian angels.
13. I used to be petrified of dogs until I got my own!
14. Its a dream of mine to be able to take my children to different countries as they grow up.
15. I am addicted to Tea and chocolate.
16. I am a disney fanatic.
17. I panic about every little thing. (i'm trying to stop this!)
18. I take photo's everyday!
19. I wear glasses to read and watch tv.
20. I love Eastenders.

I tag Rachel at www.coffeecakekids.com and Anna at squatssassandsaggyskin.co.uk 

Look forward to reading your 20 facts ladies.

Mrs Hx

Planning a camping holiday with young children.

I'm currently planning our first family camping trip. We're going in the summer for 4 nights. I will have my 3 children in tow who, at the time of travel, will be 9, 6 and 21 months old. I use to camp a lot when I was young with my family growing up and then with the scouts, but I haven't been since I was about 16. So about 13 years ago now, and it looks like camping has changed a bit since then. Not the non electric, camp fire set up I remember. Of course you can choose this style of camping if you wish but I for one need some home comforts!! Weve gone for a large, electric hook up pitch.
I'm listing all the things that I think we may need, to make it comfortable and enjoyable for both adults and children. This is the tent I'm thinking of getting from Argos. It is the Trespass 6 man Tunnel Tent.

What's drawing me to this model is the fact that there are 2 bedrooms, but once in and zipped up, you can unzip the divide so that you can see straight through to the next room. (brilliant when you have children I think!)
Other essentials I need to look into are:

• Warm sleeping bags - it will still get chilly of an evening, it is the UK afterall.
• High Quality air beds - ones that will stay inflated and not have us laying on hard ground in the morning!
• Pop up Table.
• Comfy camping chairs.
• A good torch.

Lastly, a bit of a treat for mummy, these Joules Wellibobs. I've wanted these for 3 years and now seems the perfect excuse!!

Mrs H x