Urban camping

While many people venture out of town over the Fourth of July we stayed around to spend time with friends and to practice and prepare for camping. We inherited a tent from some friends and I have learned it is always s good idea to practice setting up any tent- as well as inspect it for all pieces and possibly re- waterproof.
Also, camping with kids for the first time requires some time for free exploration by the kids. Yesterday the boys spent quite a lot of time going in and out if the tent, zipping and unzipping the tent, playing "tunnel" in the sleeping bags and blankets.
Finally, by dark ( which is a bit late for two year olds) the boys were ready to sleep despite the loud city noises of firecrackers and were those gunshots? Sirens and neighbors voices.
The boys slept well even though I learned that the city doesn't get quiet by night but rather the everyday roar turns into a few distinct loud sounds: motorcycles revving, trains roaring, and airplanes ( huge and low) taking off.