Road Trip

We've had our summer vacation to Michigan planned for some time. After driving with the boys less than three hours in March, Christopher thought maybe we should do some sort of trial run before July as thought the boys could use some practice. Well, he got his wish. Although, I don't think driving the entire way to Michigan really qualifies as a test run, but it is what it is, right? So we loaded up the car and headed north. Our hope had been to set out as soon as Noah was out of camp at noon. That didn't happen. (Editor's note: no shocker. We are never on time anywhere. Ever. Any. Where.) After hitting a neighborhood garage sale and picking up a whole house full of furniture, we still had some packing to do. The boys were so excited to be headed to Michigan and to have their travel backpacks, they sat in the car for over an hour holding their packs just waiting for the go-head to tear them open while covered in their travel blankets with their pillows in place. We didn't end up leaving until almost 4PM and had a good 6.5 hour drive ahead of us. While there was no sleeping to be had, they rode like champs for two days. In all honesty, with spending four out of five days in a car, they were angels! We found a new highway (36) that allowed us to avoid I-70. Takes us all the way to Indianapolis if we would choose to go that far on it. We were the only car on the road and saw just some beautiful parts of the Midwest. We have decided not to be the family that just turns on a movie and tunes out the drive. Yes, we realize this will lead to some loud travel. Believe me, we know. But, we also had some pretty fun moments. The boys have mastered joke telling. We came up with a new "Guess Who I Am" game. And the boys had a LOT of practice on recognizing several different car models. My kids can spot a PT Cruiser from a mile away. And, really, if you are ever responsible for doing something to make my children the happiest kids on earth, take them to a hotel. Boy, is that fun. We did pull out an old portable CD player, though. We were hoping that if Noah was kept quiet, the other two would be able to nap. Nothing in that previous sentence worked out as we had hoped, but the headphones did give them something else to argue about. All kidding aside, I am very grateful for a lifestyle that allowed us to drop everything and head to Michigan. I am also grateful for a husband who knew I needed to be there and wanted to be there with me. My grandma's service was beautiful and I am so glad we were there. Now we unpack, wash clothes, and pack to do it all over. And, yes. We do color-coordinate our traveling clothes.