The pets SO do not look thrilled to be sharing in the holiday joy!
Mom with Sofia at the Native American Museum
My favorite part of this photo is the fact that Sofia insisted on only wearing one glove.
My Mom and Dad cheesing it up.
Mom and me cheesin it up
Birthday Starlet!
Gabe with his best friend Ethan having a grand ol' time at Chuck E Cheese
Sofia giving Chuck E the low five!
I took two days off of work and I could really use another two weeks. Luckily, I have it, but I can't say I'm excited about the four days that will get eaten by the road trip with two young children and our dog in tow. At least the weather will be warmer in the South. I'm trying VERY HARD to think about the positives, particularly all the quality time with Tim and the kids in the car. :)
There are few things in life I'm adamant about teaching my kids, but clearly articulating what you need to be happy is definitely one of them. I'm sure some people would argue this makes me a royal witch. I (naturally) disagree. I need a vacation that is wholly un-planned and stress-free and inexpensive. I spend so much of my every-day life planning details and processes and rushing from one thing to the next that all I want in a vacation is unplanned nothingness -- sleeping in, reading books, enjoying the company of others and getting out to stretch my legs. And the last thing I want on vacation is to be stressed about money. I guess I'm really a homebody. I don't want to be going far away from home during the holidays, but I'm doing it for Tim so I hope he appreciates it. It's my gift to him.
Our kids are getting one gift from us. That's all I think they should get, and I don't ever want them to expect more. I want the kids to know the difference between "needs" and "wants," and I hope their "needs/wants" aren't materialistic in nature. Gabe and Sofia spend many a weekend going through old clothes and old toys and giving stuff they haven't worn or used in a few months to other less fortunate boys and girls. I asked the kids what they thought the holidays were all about, and Gabe said, "It's about sharing." And I thought, "YES!!!" And Sofia said, "And getting a present, Mom." And I thought, "Wellll, at least she used the singular noun." haha! She's still only 4. I have time to work on her.
More positives: we'll have several songbooks and great CDs with us to sing tunes together; the kids are getting really good at road trip games (I Spy, punch-buggy, and reading signs); and if all else fails, there's always the DVD player with headphones. Tim and I will get lots of catch-up conversation in on the way there and the way back.
Do any of you have any fabulous or funny or bizarre memories from long roadtrips with your parents? The only thing I remember clearly is one time Dad's car key actually broke off in the ignition and got stuck. I think we were somewhere in West Texas at the time. I do remember Mom singing lots of songs and I definitely remember playing games and telling stories. So I'm trying really hard to get excited about this trip and remember that at least we'll be sharing lots of time with each other. (And maybe if I take some pain meds with me, it won't be so awful on my neck or my sanity.) :)
2 comments:
I always loved the license plate game, and always won when I'd see one from way back East (in Colorado) or my absolutely fave - Alaska! I'd jump out of my skin for those! :)
And the holiday/alphabet game: I went on holiday and in my suitcase I packed a : (starting with letter A - the most ridiculous thing you can think of). Next person repeats the sentence, the A item, adds a B item and so on.... I've never been on a trip without an elephant, an eel or an electric lawnmower. :)
I think your Non-plan approach is fab! I'm sure you'll LOVE it.
I remember fighting in the back seat with my sister and brothers. Dad could whack us all while still driving- we never knew what hit us! I also remember some funny times- making up names for kittens that all rhymed, driving through Europe and having a suitcase slide off the top of the station wagon, Billy musing about how in the world birds can perch on wires- he decided they must have rubber feet...! And when you guys were little we played the "A my name is Addie (or whatever started with A), my husband's name is Al; we come from Alabama, and we sell alpacas..." also the alphabet game using signs on the road, the cemetery game, counting dead armadillos...
I'm so glad we got to be there for Fia's birthday- it was great to spend time, but it always goes by way too fast. I hope you have a wonderful time in Tampa. love you!
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