One of the things I love about traveling is that you can learn so many things. I mean, sure I loved being in a warmer part of the country (have I mentioned that it actually got down to freezing while we were there? It did.) and having my parents to share so many child-rearing duties, but the best part was going somewhere new. Okay, all the alone time Hot Guy and I got was pretty cool too, but still, I loved exploring. Seeing new things and new for the kids things was fabulous too. But nothing beats the learning.
I learned things about my family:
Hot Guy has an odd affinity for Kool and the Gang.
Feeding Ironflower donut holes and lemonade is a very BAD idea, especially when she's going to be riding in a car that day.
Lovebug has traindar - he can find a train no matter where he is and no matter what he is doing.
ChunkyMonkey must go to sleep at 9pm if he is to sleep through the night - any other time and he wakes up.
My Dad has amazing putting baby to sleep powers.
My mom has mastered her iPhone but is freaked out by the ATM.
I learned things about life south of the Mason-Dixon line and east of Alabama:
Apparently no one there has ever seen a triple stroller. Seriously, people stared at us wherever we went - I now have so much sympathy for those families that are "different" for some reason.
Everyone seems to have missed the highway driving section on the driving test. Also lacking: the parking skills section.
Warm Saturdays are not the day to try to park anywhere near any Smithsonian museums.
All the straight men sound like Larry the Cable Guy.
No one in Florida got the memo about tanning being bad for you.
You can find good NPR and decent country music everywhere except the New York area.
ALL senior citizens want to know "What aisle did you find that baby in?" whenever and wherever you take your infant shopping.
I learned even more about traveling with small children:
Never try it without at least one electronic entertainment device.
Museums are fine, but beaches and playgrounds are better.
And nothing beats having a TV in your vacation bedroom.
Nothing can drown out the sound of a four year old girl's voice or a two year old boy's tantrum, no matter how big the minivan or how loud the radio.
Construction vehicles stop being exciting after ten minutes of construction zone traffic.
Parents should have access to alcohol and/or chocolate at all times.
2 comments:
those are some good lessons to learn! grandpas are awesome like that! hope you had a wonderful trip!
"Parents should have access to alcohol and/or chocolate at all times."
Shouldn't that be the very first commandment of traveling with kids?
Glad you had fun!
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