I have known for sometime that this trip was coming. I have my list of things that need to be packed, (your own pillow is a must) snacks to take and things to entertain the kids. This will be an interesting trip on the way up. There will be me, Noelle, Michael, my mom, (Gee) my sister, (Aunt Amy) and my 7 month old twin nephews Jack & Riley. Yes, that's seven people including two infant car seats and a booster seat. The van holds seven people. In addition to the seven people, there will be two pack and plays, three small suitcases, at least two small bags for snacks, books and magazines, more than likely a diaper bag, a 25" TV and a window air conditioner. How long will this traveling circus be on the road you may ask? A little more than eight hours! On the way back, there will be no TV or window unit. We may be a kid or two short, who knows.
Now, my kids are part of the "we must be entertained in the car" generation. They have all kinds of electronic crap to keep them busy. The DVD player that the kids use is not working, so this should be an interesting ride up and back. I won't notice much since I will be getting off work at 7:30 Friday morning before we leave. This will be good practice for Amy. Besides, I'm sure that Jack & Riley will keep them occupied.
When my family would make these long trips up North, (our dad's family is in Minnesota) my sister and I would play different "car ride" games. We would play the "guess the next mile marker" game, (the state has now changed that with having a sign every 1/4 mile or so), the alphabet game, find strange license plates and always wanted to eat "at the sign with the Happy Chef". We also never road in a car seat. We always took turns sleeping "over the hump" on the floor board in the back. A hot and loud ride, but you got to stretch out.
An added bonus would be if the dog went with us. The dog, which was my mom's, didn't sleep up front at her feet. Nope Butterscotch rode in the back with her bad breath often trying to pace back and forth. I can remember one time when we headed, I think, to Lake Norden. "Butts" as we called her, was with us. I don't remember if she was on some kind of medicine or what. All I remember is we had a four door Olds and her tummy was bothering her and she was a little gassy. Well, her tummy rumbled, dad found the nearest exit and we pulled off. All at once, all four of the doors opened and mom, dad, Amy and I jumped out of the car followed by Butts walking around wagging her tail happily. A guy came out of the gas station, (how ironic) and said "what a cute dog". We all thought "you can have her".
Aahh, memories.
Butterscotch in her later years.
