Golf cart king

While we were at dad and Lisa's house, patrick decided that he wanted to drive the golf cart. Maggie and Steven were playing golf so I took him out.

He was thrilled. Patrick begs to drive our car everyday. If I tell him to get in the car, he climbs in the front set and offers to drive for us. So, this was a huge thrill for him.

We drove down to re end of the street where there was a cul de sac. I took these pictures over his shoulder while he was driving. Surprisingly, we are still alive.

The things they see

Yesterday was a long day. We drove and Patrick was fussy and Maggie was feeling nauseous and I just wanted out of this stinking car.

We made a game plan before we arrived at the hotel. I would take the kids swimming and Steven would unload what we needed, get dinner and get gas in the car.

When we got our swimsuits out, I pulled out a new pair of swim goggles and handed them to Maggie. I bought them at the end of last summer but kept them somehow!

She was so thankful and said, "mama, you think of everything."

It was such a sweet thing for an eight year old to say.

We got to the pool and there was such joy. We are out of the car! Maggie swam like a fish and Patrick has no fear with his ca chow life jacket on his white skinny chest.

The water was warm but it was cold outside. By the time, Steven got back, our lips were blue and we were so cold. We wrapped up the kids in white hotel towels and ran back to the room.

Steven had laid out our pajamas and gotten pizza and bread sticks and coke zeros. He got all my stuff out of the car and started charging up all the dying Mac products.

It was all so thoughtful and Maggie said, "man, daddy thought of everything for us while we were swimming."

I want her to remember moments like this on this crazy road trip.

Day 5473.6

We are heading home now. I feel like I live in this car. And this car is disgusting. We left the Monroe family this morning :( and started driving to flagstaff.

I made the mistake of mentioning swimming. We have only heard about that for 8 hours.

But... We are in a good mood. I rented some movies on redbox and the kids are happy.

Patrick learned one of Maggie's road trip games. She took off the arm rest covers and put them on her feet. Her brother thought this was hilarious and put his on, too. His look like little slippers.

We are about three hours from swimming and watching veggie tales. Patrick said that bob looked like a squishy fruit snack.

Car sick

So far, we have done really well with carsickness. Maggie has her arsenal of stuff to keep her from getting sick and she has done so well.

On our first night of the trip, Patrick threw up. It was everywhere. It was awful.

But, other than that, we have done well.

Until....... Today.

Maggie was complaining about being sick after we got on the road. She was doing better but Patrick was complaining about his tummy hurting so we stopped at a McDonald's for him to go to the potty.

As we got out, she threw up on the side walk in front of the store. The cashier was so nice and handed Maggie a sprite.

We went to lunch and then Patrick was complaining about his tummy again. We stopped at a gas station and guess who threw up? Patrick.

As we are standing in front of the store, a man came out of the store and he said he was sorry that Patrick was sick and handed him a bag of candy corn.

I am not sure about the logic there. Why does a toddler who just threw up need candy corn? It was a nice gesture though.

Maggie said: man, people are nice to us when we throw up. Maybe we should throw up more often and we could get stuff.

Great idea.

Papa

Patrick has been talking about going to papa's house since we left California.

He was apprehensive about the "big trip" but got excited to see papa when he saw all the snacks that I was packing in the car.

Then, we were leaving town and tried to stop at McDonald's. Patrick got mad and just wanted to "go see papa".

But...we drove a week and 2000 miles and his first interactions with papa were rough. He just wanted me to hold him and grunted at anyone who looked at him.

We went to dad and Lisa's house and it was like he was a different kid. He was happy and talking and playing outside and so happy.

Dad hung out with us yesterday and we took out the golf cart and Patrick had a blast. He loved nana and papa's house and playing with "Elmo" aka Bruno (the cat).

Dad's neighborhood has a security guard at the front. Everytime we came in, they would ask us where were going. As Steven was giving the address, Patrick would yell from his car seat that we were going to "papa's house".

They had a good time together. I wish the visit would have been longer.

Day five and we're still alive

Quick recap of yesterday....we got to new Boston to see Carolyn around 4:30. Steven and his mom went to get some food and I took the kids to backyard to play.

Maggie: it is so hot
Me: hot? It is not that hot.
Maggie: yeah. And it feels like rain and water on my skin.
Me: that is called humidity. I kinda like it.

It started to rain on us so we came inside. The kids played and watched tv and we fell asleep super early.

We got up on Thursday morning and headed to new Orleans. We stopped at a truck stop and Steven debated on getting cracklings and boudain. But decided against it. I got fried Cajun seasoned peanuts. They are yummy. The kids found this cool car in the parking lot.

Patrick keeps saying, "where are you taking me? On the big trip?".

We should arrive at the hotel soon. Maggie has big plans for the pool.

(we might see someone special on Sunday.....)

Day three part two

We came home and Jessica made homemade tortillas and chicken an I think Steven and I ate about a dozen of them. Maggie and her cousin, Cassidy, crafted and played. Patrick played on the backyard and ate bananas.

The girls drew with side walk chalk and Cassidy made us a welcome sign on the front sidewalk.

Aunt Billie came for dinner. Jessica made taco for us and we need to leave this girl's house. Seriously, she is a great cook! It was so nice to see aunt Billie. I haven't seen her in eleven years.

After dinner, we walked out in the front yard. There was an ugly storm about to start, but it made the night cool and wage kids just played and we hung up. Les and steven made a late night run to sonic and we watched the muppet movie. It was such a nice, relaxing day. Jessica and les are great hosts. Patrick didn't want to leave their house!