I kicked off camping season a whole ten feet out the back door, because nothing says “wilderness adventure” like being within sprinting distance of indoor plumbing. But let’s be real—this toddler lives in the country, and there are trees nearby just waiting to be watered!

Rost packed all the essentials: a glowstick he held an inch from my face all night, a stuffed cow and a plastic bee from a Happy Meal—neither with any survival training—and one tractor pillow we were apparently meant to share.

We pitched the tent like seasoned pros and roasted marshmallows in the oven, since the firewood cover ripped over the winter and everything outside is still soggy.

Rost finally passed out once the sun went down, blissfully unaware of the coyotes yipping and howling for hours. I stayed up watching the stars crawl across the sky, catching the occasional shooting star. Honestly? 10/10. Can’t wait for more camping adventures with my little buddy.