Before the trip I was telling friends, co-workers and Dad of my plan and they all just thought I was crazy. To be honest, their doubt in my abilities was a little irritating. But then I started packing and finishing up laundry on Friday afternoon and the flashes of what could happen started to panic me a bit.
My thoughts:
> Lauren could throw one of her massive temper tantrums in the middle of no where and you wouldn't have anyone there to talk you out of leaving her by the road!
> How exactly do you plan on keeping your children germ free in a truck stop bathroom with Ella on the hip?
> What if you blow a tire and are stuck somewhere?
> Who's going to load up the van for me?
> The drive home on Sunday always sucks and you can't take a nap if you are supposed to be driving!
Yet none of those thoughts deterred me, in the end. So I left work at noon, headed home to finish up some laundry, packed our bags, loaded up the car and picked up the kids from school/daycare and we were on the road by 3:30.
The kids were angels! We stopped in Charles City for supper and had a drive thru dinner thanks to McDonald's. I got the kids all set up with their happy meals and we were off again! The next time we stopped wasn't until Albert Lea.
This was the ONE time I had a minor panic attack. Three kids, one HUGE truck stop, dozens of semis, hundreds of cars, people everywhere and just me there to make sure no one was lost, hit or taken. Bathroom breaks with three kids can be pretty funny. I know I got a "look" or two but I'm pretty sure they were all from women who didn't have children so I take that with a grain of salt. I was just proud of myself that I didn't look back and say, "Ya know what? Call me in five years when you have small kids and all mine are potty trained! Then I can look at YOU and just laugh."
We all piled into the handicap stall and took our turn. I held Ella, then Josh held Ella, then I held Lauren...and so on and so on, until we had all done our business. Then it was time to change Ella.
I had packed my travel backpack to a "T". That thing is pretty much my lifeline when I travel. There is a front pocket with toy dinosaurs and trees for easy entertainment in any environment. The top front pocket is packed with spoons and baby food. The side pockets each hold a six ounce bottle. And the inside has coloring books, crayons, snacks, a sippy cup, pull-ups, diapers, two four ounce bottles and my wallet. See anything missing?
The wipes!
Yeah, this being my third child I no longer waste money on the small travel size wipes. As stated in a prior blog, I usually travel with the convenient 300 count bag and that doesn't really fit in my backpack. So there I was, changing Ella at the changing station (which is right by the sinks) and wetting down paper towels to wipe her. Meanwhile, the kids were playing with the industrial hand dryer and running around touching every disgusting surface they could find. Yeah...that's when I got most of "the looks".
After we all washed our hands again, we headed to the snack area as the Bricker Train (us holding hands). A box of $10 Cheez-its later and we were off again!
We actually made pretty good time on Friday (considering the two stops). And since we all made it there safely I wasn't going to complain!
We stayed up and visited for awhile and all hit the hay. And then about 5:00 am, Josh woke up and said his tummy was angry. That's never good.
So, him and I went down in the living room (bucket in hand) and tried to get him comfortable. Poor kid. He finally fell back asleep around 6:30 but by then the girls were up so no rest for the weary.
After everyone got up we went and grabbed breakfast and headed to Costco.
Oh, Costco. Be still my little coupon clipping, heart. It's like a Sam's, but better. There's just something about buying OxyClean in a 15 pound tub to make a mother smile. Well, either that or the nine pound bag of chocolate chips.
After Costco we headed home and put Ella down for a nap. It gave me a chance to get some shut-eye and Josh a chance to play the Wii with Thomas.
Dad and Lauren worked on lunch and I sat and watched.
Dad and Thomas' kitchen is so pretty. It was just remodeled and I ooo'ed and aww'ed and even drooled a little. Their floor is so pretty that I honestly wanted to lay down on it and make make-believe snow angels!
But I would kill for his pantry. Literally. Having a pantry that clean and organized would be worth doing ten to twenty in a state prison.
Right down to the spice rack in alphabetical order.
Nap time was over to soon and Ella joined the party!
Saturday night Katie came over for dessert. She is a dear friend of Thomas' and I adore her! She is so fun to hang out with! Of course she couldn't wait to meet Ella and see what my little Lauren was up to. So we all ate ice cream and Josh used that opportunity to squeeze in some extra Wii time while mom wasn't watching.
And after a late night of gab we had to hit the hay so we could make it to church in the morning.
Dad wants to know how I can make it to church on time with three kids when normally they are just pulling into the parking lot during the last verse of the first hymn. I told him it's part of my "have to be ten minutes early for everything" disorder.
After church we went over to our favorite breakfast place: Bryant Lake Bowl!
After I loaded the car it was already time to turn around and go home!
The kids did even BETTER on the way home! They all slept for the first two and a half hours and woke up right outside of Nashua. We stopped and did our bathroom breaks (which was much less eventful than Friday's), picked up some new snacks and were back on the road in twenty minutes. Before we knew it, we were home!
It was a great trip!! And each child got a big hug and kiss from me for being such a great traveler! I certainly would not hesitate doing it again but, that being said, I do have a list of tips for people who travel alone with more than one child:
1) Stop at small town gas stations as opposed to the biggest truck stop on I-35.
2) Timing is everything. Traveling during naptime is a necessity.
3) Two words: DVD player.
4) Set up the passenger seat like an emergency supply kit to avoid several stops.
- Snacks
- DVDs
- Pre-filled powder formula bottles
- Bottled water (for bottles)
- Camera
- Phone
- Wipes
- Gum
- Flask - just kidding ;-)
5) Forget the diaper bag, pack a backpack!!
6) Always have your GPS set and ready to find the closest McDonald's.
7) Don't psych yourself out!
Happy, safe travels!
