Just gettin' along

Grandma said someone told her that traveling with kids is like living in the bathroom day after day. Let's just say I've learned a lot on this trip.

For one thing, it's all about Doodle, and Grandma is her personal pet/best friend. Just ask her. For another thing, it's all about Peanut and since her needs cannot be fully met -- namely, her necessary alone time -- she can get a bit pissy. She's also reading The Hobbit and has gotten into the habit of calling everyone "my precious" which is making us nuts. And finally, it's all about Little Man. He needs a job to do constantly or he is climbing the walls. He's fantastic when we're out and about, but oh, how I miss his buds from home during Doodle's nap time. He wakes every morning full throttle ahead, never needs a break and becomes Doodle's main source of entertainment at bedtime, which I might add is the wrong time.

Also, any version of privacy is a thing of the past. And they need food constantly. I was already aware of this, but it's far more noticeable when you don't have your refrigerator or pantry in the next room. We're going through apples, bananas, jicama sticks, carrots and water like nobody's business. I also have a lollipop stash for those long stretches of road.

Even with these annoyances, we are having a great time. I never expected the kids to be so proud of this undertaking and to personally own it. They feel very much like this is their trip to enjoy. And it's been such a wonderful conversation starter for them. No matter where someone is from, they'll say, "We're going there this year!" and the next thing you know, the stranger turned friend has our blog address!

The number one question people ask is if I'm Homeschooling them. I find this so strange because I think they're learning so much more on this trip than they could ever learn from a book. It's not like they're taking Advanced Physics! We're certainly not practicing letters on this trip although Doodle did announce today that she wants to learn to write her own name. Instead, Peanut is keeping a journal and Little Man is collecting things. We've spent a lot of time talking about all kinds of things, but mostly the characteristics of the desert and the Native American experience in this country. And how to cope with stickers and fire ant bites.