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I see your tent is a bit of a spaceship!

I suppose you don'tdohalves!

Someone earlier in the thread mentioned a rubber mallet for knocking in tent pegs......I strongly reccommend a solid lump hammer!!!!! we went last year to a site in the new forest and our rubber one was completely obliterated and we only managed to get three pegs in!!!! The couple who were camped behind us had been to the site before so luckily they had come prepared, but everyone who turned up at the site whilst we were there had the same problem and our neighbours lump hammer barely got a rest

All the best Mel

thanks Mel x A wooden one it is!

I'm begining to think camping in the back garden may be the first option!!

HI and welcome.
Definately get something for those night time loo needs.  I invested in a portapotti as I was always afraid of one of mine waking up if I'd gone to the loo either by myself or with one of my two, panicking and trying to find me.   Even when OH camps with us, herd of elephants can run through the tent, he grunts and goes back to sleep, so no chance of him hearing a child waking up.  
I find those fleecy car blankets great - I've shoved mine in my sleeping bag when its been extra chilly, and whipped it out when its warmed up.  Also great for wrapping around you "grandad style" when your sitting around and feel a bit chilly.
The coleman dual chamber airbed is great.   I've usually got my two horrors in bed with me - and with this bed stays level.   When I had an ordinary airbed, if I was in the middle, I sank into a dip, and if I was at one side, I found that mu end touched the floor with poor old mama falling off the bed.    Invested in a dual chamber bed, and this ceased to happen.

As for camping in the back garden kids love it.  I've have a small dome tent just for that purpose - saves moving swing, slide etc.  Its a real treat for the kids. 

Hi

If you struggle getting quilts in the car you can always lay them on the back seat and put stuff on top, also have a warm drink before bed, hot chocolate is good and if your chilly sat about at night I cuddle my hot water bottle wraped in a fleece blanket and re fill before bedtime.

Hope you have a really good first camp

thanks again to everyone for the great advice.

Another question what is the best type of stove/pans etc to take with us and does the gas last quite a while?

you're all fab thanks x

Most peeps start out with pans from home, or any old cheap ones will do.

The gas will last well past one weekend, and you can always carry a spare cannister.