Allan and the kids and I arrived home late last night, after an all day trip from my folks’ house in California. When Allan drove it alone last week, he made it home in just over 9 hours. With the kids? It took almost 12 hours.
Yep, a 6 year old, a 3 year old, and a 15 month old… all sitting in the back seat of our Jetta. And we made them sit there for TWELVE hours.
No DVD players, no CD players, no movies. Just them, a few Happy Meal toys, their blankets, and one semi-video game for Samuel. (Oh, and one happy meal each from McDonalds for lunch, a kids meal each from burger king for dinner, and some snacks and drinks along the way).
And they did awesome. They totally ROCK as passengers on long car trips. I think Martha fussed a total of 20 minutes the entire day, and it was mostly because it took that long for me to figure out that she was HUNGRY and wanted a snack already.
We are so very blessed! I love turning around and and seeing their happy faces in the back seat of the car. I love how easy going and laid back they are, even 6 and 8 and 10 hours into a long trip. I love that they are able to self-entertain for hours on end, and that they enjoy each others company. I love how Martha, at only 15 months old, can sit in a car seat and cross her sweet little ankles, and do nothing but look pensive for over an hour, watching the road and the cars go by. I even love the non-stop questions from Samuel, and the silly “announcements” from lil Allan. (The boy likes to ANNOUNCE things repeatedly, to each and every person in the car - oh, and loudly!) MOM, WE ARE GOING TO LAS VEGAS! DAD, WE ARE GOING TO LAS VEGAS! MARTHA, WE ARE GOING TO LAS VEGAS! SAMUEL, WE ARE GOING TO LAS VEGAS….
Oh, and what do I love the most? My handsome, happy husband who does ALL the driving and never (ok, rarely) gets ruffled by the kids and their noise (ANNOUNCEMENTS and questions, oh my!).
So, today.. I’m thankful for long car trips with my family, and I am most thankful that yesterday’s trip is OVER and we arrived home safely!
What are YOU thankful for? Write a post and the post the link on Laura’s blog at Heavenly Homemakers.
Laura says:
I’m so glad your kids are good travelers. We are headed to OK in a couple of days and I’m not really looking forward to it. However, now that Malachi’s older, he does much better. It’ll be fine. (right?)
July 1st, 2008 at 4:18 pm
Marie says:
Glad that you’re home safe and sound! Lucky Duck! Three good travelers! Must be nice! We have yet to visit my in-laws because of the 12 hour trip!
July 1st, 2008 at 8:41 pm
Theresa says:
I was looking for Bella Joy Ribbon and ended up on your site. I have read blog after blog and can relate in so many ways when it comes to your family. I have been sitting here laughing and crying while reading your blog. I have and will continue to pray for your sister, your family and your friends. May God continue to bless your family.
July 2nd, 2008 at 6:04 am
Laura says:
So… Do you have an update on your sister?
July 29th, 2008 at 2:53 am