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Saturday, June 30, 2012

Almost There

Less than an hour to go!   Get me out of this minivan!

The Olympics?! Really?!

Mark got the idea to leave on Friday evening after work rather than Saturday morning, a couple days ago.  I didn't know what I thought of the idea.  I didn't look forward to unloading luggage for just one night, getting the kids to sleep in a strange place or paying for a hotel stay for six hours.

However,  I did like the idea of breaking up the ungodly 16 hour car ride though.

We went ahead and left on Friday night at 6:15pm.  We drove until 8:30 and had dinner at Arby's in Clear Lake.  The kids were excited to watch a movie in the car.  That's something special we only do on the way to or from Colorado.  We got Scooby Doo rockin' and the whole family was happy.  It ended just before 10pm, we said prayers and told them it was time to sleep. They were both sleeping in a few minutes.  We drove and drove and drove.  We talked and talked and watched for deer.  At 12:00 I said we should start looking for a place to stay since the kids will be up at 6am anyway.  At 12:20 we pulled into a little hotel.  I waited in the running car with the kids while Mark went in to get a room.  I did think the parking lot was awfully full.

"The god damn Olympics are in town.  Everything's full."
"WHAT?!  The Olympics aren't even in this country?"
"The swimming tryouts are in Nebraska, apparently."

On the Road Again, began playing in my head.

I was laughing and not that tired.  Driving straight through and showing up at Aunt Joan's at 7:08am (as  the GPS indicated) actually crossed my mind.  But Mark was tired (and cranky) and wanted off the road.  We drove and drove and drove....long story short.... we finally found one.  Victoria happened to wake up and started rambling facts about the moon as we pulled in just before 2am.  Mark woke Christian up who walked into the hotel.  The only things we brought into the hotel were the phone and computer chargers, two laptops, four toothbrushes and toothpaste.

Unbelievably, we all snuggled up in one comfortable king bed and dozed off.  Until Mark yelped in pain from Christian kicking him you know where in his sleep.  We all slept until 7:40.  Put clothes back on, brushed teeth and we were off.

We found a wonderful little breakfast place (ok, it was really a truck stop) called the Iron Skillet.  They had a very inexpensive breakfast buffet we all enjoyed.

4.5 hours left.  We ended up going more than half way last night.

Whether we liked it or not.

Friday, June 29, 2012

If Only We Could Carry a Bathroom with Us

The other day I needed a sympathy card from Hallmark.  (Unfortunately, I've needed two since then)
Hallmark is quieter than a library.  I always whisper in there and my kids are allowed to look but not touch.  I was looking at the cards and Christian politely whispered, "I need to go potty."  "Ok, Buddy I'll make it quick," I assured him.  One minute later, "I really really have to potty mommy," he whispered again.  I ignored him and continued looking.  Suddenly he shouted, while holding himself,
"OH NO!  NOW I HAVE TO POOP TOO!!"

"Let's pay, now," I said.

The very nice older lady who has checked us out many many times stared at him and said very slowly, "Well hello there.  What's wrong with you today, sir?"

"I need to go potty really bad."

"Oh my, I should get moving then."

"Yeah, you should!"

Finally we were in the minivan headed home.  He continued to complain and I started to get a little nervous that we might have an accident.  I said, "I'll get you home in under two minutes and I'll run to the door and you can run to the toilet, ok Buddy?"

"Well I have to stop to take my shoes off first."

"Oh, Honey, you can keep your shoes on."

"I just mopped the floor yesterday!!  EVERYBODY is going to take their shoes off!"

Well, then, that settles it!

Time for Memories

Every summer I think about making memories with my kids.  I'm with them, basically, nonstop for ten solid weeks.  We are on the move.  Will they remember days at the beach?  Will they remember picking strawberries?  Going to the movies?  Having picnics?

One thing I do know, they WILL remember our trips to Colorado.  We talk about it all year long.  Walker and Nash.  Casa Bonita.  Tiny Town. Aunt Joan's house.  Bear hunting.  Breckenridge.  All year we wait for this day.  After many lists, suitcases and coolers, we're on our way.

I know, in the next nine days we will be making solid childhood memories in their childhoods.

I love that.

The excitement.  The car activities.  The family time.  This is it.  We're on our way.

With our newly found Hot Spot I will be able to blog throughout the trip.  I love that too!