So it's been a very long time since I last wrote, but that's because things have gotten incredibly busy. In the past few weeks, I started a new gig at a new university and am now living and experiencing the joys of the commuter lifestyle. The joy of suburban living, but that's a discussion for an upcoming post. A few weeks ago, we took James and Andrew on their first cross border adventure...that and their first major trip in the car and over night hotel stay. We had it all planned out, up at 6, out the door without waking them, breakfast on the road, get to the border early, take a few breaks be at our destination by a little after lunch. Great plans but they were quickly laid to rest.
First off, we slept in. Nothing Rip Van Winkle like but nonetheless, we were starting out our adventure a little later than to be expected. We cruised to the border while the boys dozed in their car seats and all was well as we answered the obligatory questions at customs and we were off. The plan was to stop for a break midway between Buffalo and Erie, NY. We were making pretty good time and so this didn't seem like an issue. We pulled off the highway entered the rest station and enjoyed a short stroll around the various food vendors and magazine shops. James and Andrew were doing remarkably well. Back in the car and a short drive to Erie where we stopped for lunch and explored the mall in an effort to stretch our legs. Stopping at a Mall with James and Andrew is an interesting proposition. First off, they command a great deal of attention, bringing smiles to the faces of total strangers and anxious glances from their parents as they totter over to the displays and attempt to pull things off the shelves and put other things in their mouths. Second, the time seemed to pass at an alarmingly pace. I think this is because there is little one can do to control the direction that they travel. Well, I guess that's not entirely true. Andrew, still needing someone's hand to support him is pretty easy to keep in a straight line. his brother, on the other hand, since discovering his ability to walk/run is obstinately opposed to holding hands and weaves back and forth across the hall until he finds something interesting (in this case every garbage can from the entrance to the food court and back again. Nevertheless, we ate lunch, changed some bottoms and were back in the car about an hour and a half after arrival. Off to Grove City, our final destination, for a little shopping and walking at the outlet mall.
Shopping was great, we picked up some things we needed and really just enjoyed the day as a family. It had it's hectic moments for sure, I think that's a given when you have two energetic little men strolling through the the stores and sidewalks. At our last stop for the day, things started to get a little bit out of hand. Adrienne and I took turns looking at things, while the other entertained James and Andrew in a rare open piece of floor, but we knew it was time to go. Off to the hotel, for dinner, a swim and a wonderful night of new drawers to open and new beds to bounce on. The next day we traveled home. We made sure we anticipated the road trip breaking points and stopped a few times along the way. At our stop for lunch, we were just finishing up when a lady approached us from another booth. She said hello and then explained that she wanted to come over and congratulate us on having such wonderfully behaved and beautiful sons. Her reason for doing so was that when she was a new mother, anytime a stranger had approached her and told her this, it made all of the hectic moments melt away. What a wonderful thing to pass on. Looking back at the trip, I really am thankful to the many people who took time out of their day to say hello, ask questions or simply smile.
So my little men are constantly coming up with new ways to make me laugh, I guess the lesson that I hope we can all learn from this adventure is that even in hectic times it is important to be open to the wondrous opportunities to be together as a family but also as people. While this trip was only short, it served as a gentle reminder of how much fun life is when you take the time to let the little moments truly tug at your heart. Often we look for the worst in those around us, maybe this is because as human beings we have been raised to admire perfection and to seek out competition. It is important to remember that the warm moments and good things can come from those around you. A simple smile or a quick word or question can ease the most tense of moments and we would all be a bit better off if instead of rolling our eyes or muttering under our breath we asked a question or let the corners of our mouth drift upward when we see someone who is in the midst of a challenging moment. The other lesson that I learned is that you can do all the planning you want, but when travelling with two little men the best plan is to plan to be late and be prepared to roll with the waves and challenges.
Love Dad
PS - while peas are nutritious, I am not sure that one lone pea in the bottom of my lunch bag will suffice.
