HOW TO: Road Tripping with your Kids

First and foremost, having a background in tourism (okay, okay, so really I took a class or two during my graduate program, but still…) your memory and vacation experience starts being determined the minute you start planning it.  Getting into the car is part of the vacation, and needs to be treated as part of the journey and experience, not just the way to get somewhere. 

As a family of six, we have road-tripped for our vacations for over 15 years.  We have, on occasion, been able to fly to our vacation destinations, but usually due to the generosity of our family (aka, parents….).  Flying our family is an expense we cannot afford.  That does not, however, prevent us from taking at least one major family vacation each year.  We have driven from our home in Michigan on trips to Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Indianapolis, St. Louis, MO, Washington DC, Virginia Beach, the Outer Banks in North Carolina, Hilton Head Island in South Carolina and countless trips to Florida.  So with that, I share my tips on how to road trip with your family!

A traditional photo op at the Florida Welcome Center...a fun way to see the growth of the kids...here's just a sampling!

Plan Your Route

• It seems so simple, and yet, at this day in age, how many people rely on Mapquest, Siri or a GPS to get them where they need to go?  It is important that you read a map and plan the route that makes sense for you.  In the case of our family, it can be as simple as which bypasses to take around major cities, or if there is a special landmark or family member slightly off the route, that is worth the extra travel time to work into the trip.   For example, we like to drive through downtown Atlanta, you can see the skyscrapers (which is quite a novelty for kids from a relatively small town!),  but you can also see the torch in Centennial Olympic Park (really cool in the dark!). Take a side trip and get off the expressway to explore the park for 20-30 minutes and let the kids run around, or just drive by and point it out. You’ll also see the famous Varsity drive-in, featured on several Food Network specials.  Both the bypass and the downtown routes can be horrendous during rush hour, so that’s where the planning comes in – one well timed meal can mean the difference between cruising right along, or being ready to eat your young in stop-and-go traffic.

• Make/have a plan for emergency services, road assistance, and traffic.  Smartphones are helpful if you find yourself stuck in traffic.  You can find out if it's due to construction or an accident, and ask Siri for an alternate route (this is where that actual map can come in handy, too!).  In addition, if you plan on making road tripping a regular part of vacation, I recommend you invest in some type of roadside assistance program, whether it be OnStar or AAA, or something else.  During our road trips we have had flat tires, dead batteries and needed towing.  You can easily call AAA for immediate assistance, or even send a request through a app on your phone.  Issues will arise.  Plan ahead for how you will deal with them.

Thank goodness for activity bags and plenty of chairs in the auto shop waiting room!

• Once the route is mapped out, it is important to determine drive times, your timeline for arriving at your destination, and where, and roughly when, you plan to make stops.  Will you be leaving when you are well rested, and therefore can safely drive for 14 – 15 hours until you need to stop to sleep?  Or will you leave after work, and only be able to drive 5 – 6 hours for a first leg of the journey?  Once you know where you may like to stop, plan for where you can get a restful night’s sleep.  THIS MEANS MAKE HOTEL RESERVATIONS, or arrangements with a family member to stay at their house.  Speaking from experience (and yes, it took us more than one trip to learn this lesson) do NOT plan to get just exit the highway and find a hotel room.  We once ended up in a room with a king-size canopy waterbed, with the canopy being held up through the use of a dismantled wire hanger. And who even knew waterbeds existed in hotels any more.  Or that they even should have. Ever.

• Kind of a given, we always book hotels that offer a free breakfast (and really, who doesn’t these days?!)   Now, we tend to lean towards those that offer free HOT breakfast.  Being able to have a protein option available buys a bit more drive time in the car before having to stop for another meal, and cuts down on the snacking in the car, too.

• Book a hotel with a pool, especially if your children are younger.  Again, the road trip is part of the TRIP. Trip = vacation.  Take the time to enjoy the hotel and amenities.  In our case, it usually meant that we allowed the children to swim in the morning, which makes them much more tolerable in the car, more likely to nap, and burns off some energy early in the day.  

• Arrive at the hotel close to your adult bedtime, but keep the schedule of your kid bedtime while still driving.  We found our kids were more likely to fall asleep closer to their bedtime while driving if we treated it like bedtime.  We ate dinner and drove for awhile.  Then we stop at a rest area for some bedtime routines.  They clean up their space in the car, go to the bathroom, brush their teeth, and even change into pajamas, and it becomes quiet time in the car once we’re driving again.  This did most often mean movie time…a quieter, calm one (my personal favorite was WALL-E…).  Drive until it’s your bedtime, then check into the hotel and kids transfer from the car to the hotel room.  If this is the expectation, and they’re already in pajamas and ready for sleep, it will work.  Maybe not the first night, but, again, we’ve done this for years…the kids know this is the routine, and it works!

• Pack ONE overnight bag/container for while you are driving.  This bag has toiletries, a fresh set of clothes (also previously held the kids’ pajamas) and just what you need for the night.  Because we frequently vacation in warm destinations, we also have a swim bag that can be toted in for the use of the hotel pool.  While everyone has a suitcase for the duration of the vacation, while we are road tripping, ONE bag is all you want to have to unload and tote into the hotel overnight.

• As our kids have aged, we have opted for the “drive straight thru” plan.  When kids are younger, they need you during their waking hours.  They can self-entertain, but not for hours at a time.  They need referees and assistance.  That’s where stopping at hotels and keeping to your usual bedtime routine, as well as theirs, is a necessity.  However, now that the kids are older, we have managed to make trips to Florida in 22-24 hour drives, with no stops for sleeping.  When we arrive at our destination, kids can settle in, self entertain, unpack, relax, even hit a resort food area unassisted, while we sleep for a few hours (not too long, or you’ll throw off your whole sleep schedule).  We’ll typically leave home at 4 – 5pm, getting us to our destination in the late afternoon the next day.  We can check in, unpack and sleep for 3 hours, be ready for a family dinner, and still go to bed at the same time (if not a little earlier!) and be ready for the rest of the vacation.  When kids were little, we’d often spend two nights at hotels while on this same route.  Now, we do it all at once!

Packing what you need, and what they want…

• See above – pack that ‘overnight’ bag, and put it somewhere easily accessible in the vehicle.

• When we started road tripping ,we had one small infant and borrowed my mom’s Pontiac Bonneville to drive to Florida (cause Lord knows, we didn’t have a vehicle reliable enough to make it that far). Since that time, we’ve used trucks, minivans and suburbans to get us where we want to go, and we’re up to four large kids.  Each offers different amounts and configurations of seating and packing space.  Plan accordingly for the vehicle you have.  We have used trunks and backseats, rooftop carriers (soft and hard side), and a tailgater with rubbermaid bins.  In the early years, we borrowed items, later we could afford the tailgater with bins and our minivan, and finally, now, we can fit everything inside the car with our Yukon XL (and still see completely out the back window!). You can always rent a vehicle, as well.  Most contracts come with unlimited mileage allowances, you’ll be driving a new or nearly new vehicle, and not putting those miles on your own car (especially important for those that may lease).

• When traveling with a rooftop carrier, pack it with the items you won’t need until you reach your destination.  Ain't nobody gots time to climb on top of the car at bedtime to get anything.  When we used the tailgater, one Rubbermaid bin contained the overnight bag, so that when we arrived at the hotel, the item(s) we needed were able to be accessed without opening the back hatch of the van.  We bought a bin that had wheels, so that we could take the entire thing into the hotel, and, we didn’t have to worry about any kind of theft.  

• Research what you’ll need not only while traveling, but at your destination.  Does the resort/hotel/condo/rental home offer a crib, if you need it?  If you have to stop, do your sleeping spots have that option.  If not, can you go without packing a pack-and-play, or are you going to want that anyway?  What about strollers (and what size?). We’ve had strollers that accommodate our car seat, a double stroller, and finally just a little umbrella stroller.  We've even been known to pack our high chair, but we always broke it down (because it was a no frills model that could do that!).  Some resort and beach locations have beach towels available, others do not…and since they’re bulky to pack, don’t bring ‘em if you don’t need ‘em!

I spy....a portable high chair, stroller, activity bags, cute kids...and yes, Krispy Kreme donuts.

• We typically use a ziploc bag method for packing our clothing.  When the kids were little, their underwear and socks were in one ziploc, and then outfits were folded and rolled together (military style) and tucked into bags.  A pair of sandals and maybe other slip on shoes, and one good pair of walking shoes and they're all set.  Use of the ziplocs, with all extra air squeezed out, allowed for kids to share suitcases.  As the kids have gotten older, they pack themselves, and we’ve graduated to the larger 2-gallon bags, but we still use them.  Space is at a premium when you’re traveling in one vehicle together.

• Our most typical vacation accommodation is a timeshare condo.  While there are many, many strong arguments against purchasing a time share, our family is a prime example of how the system works (but that’s a whole ‘nother post…).  Staying in a condo or rental house has many advantages, a primary one being a full kitchen, and typically in-unit laundry.  That being said, most places do not provide some very basic items that you don’t want to have to buy in your top-price destination.  In the early years, we established what we call the “Condo Box”.  It has salt and pepper shakers (just cheap  disposable ones, but they last awhile!), sugar for coffee, Saran Wrap and a few glad ware containers, ziploc bags, a small dish soap and a few dishwasher pods, some laundry detergent. You get the idea.  When the kids were little, it had a cheap set of sippy cups and some cute disposable kid silverware and bibs.  This box is re-stocked before we go, and stored with holiday decorations in the basement,  just ready and waiting for our next vacation when we return home.

• Riding in the car can be extremely boring.  Hooray for the invention of in-car entertainment, and, now, ‘devices’, as we call them.  But you can’t just watch movies for 24 hours in the car.  Each child is responsible for packing their own “activity bag” that needs to be kept in their area in the car.  This activity bag is designed for self-entertainment both during the car time, but also early morning hours and other ‘downtimes’ during vacation.  Kids pack books, stuffed animals and action figures, coloring books and crayons, magnadoodles and etcha-sketches, sunglasses, devices and chargers...  It is what THEY want to bring and have.  And the novelty of this is was, for many years, that the kids received gift cards for Christmas that we designated for spring break shopping.  They got to go on a little ‘spree’ to buy some new clothes for the warmer weather, and a few small, new toys that could go in the activity bag.  Being able to explore and play with a new toys makes vacation special, and increases that self-entertainment time.

Shopping spree goodies and condo box items!

• If it’s one thing that can ruin a vacation, it's if anyone gets HANGRY.  Snacks are a must, but we keep the drinking to a minimum (cause drinking means stopping to pee…and with four kids, that means having to stop at every rest area, and then a 20 hour drive becomes a 30 hour drive….).  We typically make a trip to the grocery store shortly before departure to let the kids pick some snacks for the trip.  My two older girls are always in charge of the snack container, usually stored on the seat between them.  Snacks are portioned out in small ziplocs (can you sense a theme with our lives…totally ziploc dependent, apparently…) and can be easily handed out to the kids and parents.

Pretzels, nuts, goldfish, apples (cores get thrown away in previously used ziplocs until the next stop….) slim jims offer a nice, portable protein option.  Often, we have kids pack a water bottle as the beverage option.  When we stop for meals, they are able to order something different, otherwise, they get a bottle of water (reusable, that can also go with them to the pool/beach, etc).

• You want the kids to be comfortable in the car, so typically we have allowed small travel pillows and blankets, and small stuffed animals.  The invention of the “Pillow Pet” combined some of those items for us! Sleeping in the car can sometimes be difficult, particularly for kids who are no longer using car or booster seats that give them something to rest their head on.  This results in nearly trying to fold themselves in half to find a comfortable position, and/or extremely sore necks.  A year or two ago, I whipped up these travel pillows.  They Velcro around the seat belt and provide a body-pillow-type comfort, giving the kids something to lean against, and include pockets for small music players to be safely tucked in.  There are commercial products, and other travel pillows that might afford the same perks, if you're not handy with a sewing machine.

Make the necessary stops fun, not a rush to get back on the road…

• You’ll have to stop for gas, food and bathrooms.  Combine stops if you can.  Each stop costs time, BUT, don’t make that the predominant attitude while stopped.  Just do your best to limit stops.

• Stretching your legs at rest stops is a must for everyone.  When the kids were little, it meant running races, twirling or a quick game of tag.

• A great opportunity for the whole family while stopped is to geocache.  If you aren’t familiar with it, check it out, and read more about it here.  Geocaching is a ‘treasure-hunting’ activity that can be done with your car GPS, or through an app on your smartphone.  We have a family account and have geocached in many states, on many road trips.  Practice in your hometown before vacation, so everyone in the family learns what to look for.  Buy some small items from the dollar store to trade when you find larger caches.  Nearly every rest area or truck stop we have stopped at has had at least one geocache.  Really.  There are millions across the United States, so take advantage of this cool family activity.

• Do not eat every meal in the car.  That gets old…fast.  If you are staying at a hotel during your trip, breakfast in the hotel helps for one sit-down meal.  If you are driving straight thru, try to do one meal as a sit-down.  Timing plays a role in this.  We’ve had sit down breakfast, or sit-down dinners, but typically do drive-thru for lunch.

• Eat your meals at restaurants that you don’t have at home.  Vacation means new experiences, and that includes food.  Because we live in a northern state, some of our vacation favorites include Steak & Shake, Sonic, Chik fil A, and Waffle House (yeah, yeah, but those hash browns!) There’s some great apps that tell you what restaurants are coming up at the next exit, we love using those.

• If you’re really a foodie, there’s an app that tells you what restaurants on your route have been featured on the Food Network or Travel Channel, etc.   Our family watches a lot of these shows, and have even focused some of our road trips on trying to eat at least one meal a day in one of those restaurants (this is particularly handy when we aren’t on an action-packed Orlando vacation).   It’s fun to check out places we’ve seen on tv, and we have never been disappointed in our meals!

That pretty much sums up my thoughts on what's necessary for road tripping as a family, but I would be remiss if I didn't ask for some input from the 2/3 of my family that join us on these trips….the kids! 

So, here you have it!

From the Kids…

I asked the kids, currently ranging in ages from 16 to 9, what they thought needed to be packed and included as tips and advice for road trips…these are their thoughts:

Things to Pack

• Snacks

• Pillows and blankets

• Backpack

• Map and GPS

• Money

• Headphones

• Movies

• Other activities

• Comfortable clothes

• Slip off shoes

• Water

• Barf bags

And their tips and advice – 

• If you stop at a rest area,  go even if you don’t have to because you may not get another opportunity for a long time

• Be careful about eating gas station food

• Try to sleep in the car (child #1) Sleep as much as possible (child #2)

• Run around at rest areas

• If you feel like you’re going to throw up, tell someone “stop”, because if you do it in the car, it will stink for weeks.

• Don’t just eat McDonalds 

• Find ways to enjoy the ride, not just the destination

• Know where rest places are

And last but not least, 

• But most importantly, HAVE FUN!

Much of this is golden….far too many based on actual experience *cough, cough* barf bags *cough, cough*…. But hey, vacations are about making memories…all types of memories!

Don't be afraid of the car – travel near and far – but, most importantly, HAVE FUN!

KQOTD - Christmas vacation

there's nothing quite like a week or two home with the kidlets.   and Christmas time always brings out the best of our family.

they are giving.

they embrace the spirit of Christmas wholeheartedly.

and they get punchy.  

so, some KQOTD from our Christmas vacation ....

#1 - while opening gifts.  maya gets up to distribute a gift...

maya - "lilly gave me her gift from her, so I'll give her the gift from me...but it's going to be really anti-climactic."

lilly - "wait...does that mean that mine *was* climactic?" 

maya - "yes"

lilly - "sweet...."

#2 - we opened gifts on New Year's Eve....so it was a long day.

molly - "what time is it?"

me - "9:57pm"

molly - "so, 10 then?"

lilly - "No, Molly, you can't round up on New Year's Eve."

#3 - the kids were gifted an XBox from grandpa.  after getting it set up in the basement, molly and porter were enjoying many hours of rousing games/playing of minecraft.  during one particular episode, while bundled in pajamas and a blanket on the couch, in true big sister style - 

lilly - "their enjoyment is annoying me."

#4 - and finally, though i'm not quite remembering the circumstances, i think it revolved around cooking or cleaning or having to do something...and perhaps, me being a bit whiny about it....

lilly - "mom, we can't have six kids I this house.  you have to be the adult."

the coach

it's the job of a parent, i think, to expose your children to new things...encourage new experiences...and support them in finding what they like to do in life...

we have struggled a bit with getting lilly to try things that are out of her comfort zone.  she gets very comfortable, and change stresses her out sometimes (so evidenced by tears the last two times we've changed dance studios). 

for the most part, she has a great social life, and devotes time to dance and theatre, but not much else.  the other kids have some athletic endeavors, and they haven't appealed to lilly much.

there's a 4th and 5th grade city-wide track meet...and in 4th grade, lilly dismissed participating immediately.  (she did the same for the 1 mile fun run for 4th and 5th graders, too...) but then 5th grade came...and the 1 mile fun run could meet part of her gym class requirements...so she did it.  and then came the city-wide track meet.  and we encouraged her to give it a go...and she did.  and with very little training or practice, she ran...but more importantly, she placed 7th in the city in the high jump!

spring forward to 7th grade when middle schoolers can now participate in school-sponsored sports (which is kind of ironic, in that the sports program is run by the local community center).  lilly has struggled with the 'big picture' of her middle school at times - she has a few close friends, but she dislikes the masses.  she doesn't like that they wear so much makeup and try so hard to be popular.  and she doesn't like that they swear.  and really, i'm glad she doesn't like those things!

and when the notes came home that track was starting, we encouraged her to give it a try.  perhaps expand her circle.  but she said some of 'those kids' run track.  with some encouraging words, she agreed to step out of that comfort zone and give it a try (and realized after talking to a few of her best friends, that they were actually doing track, too...)

i was nervous for her when it came time to address the practice and meet schedule with her coach.  lilly was already committed to dance one night a week, as well as nearly 2 weeks off from school for vacation and to work at 'my' convention.  when i made the coach aware, i was very delighted with her response that she would work with lilly on whatever she could do.

and so she started practice.  and she started running on the treadmill at home.  and it rained ALL THE TIME, so even when she was practicing, it wasn't necessary the kind of training she needed for the events she wanted to run.

and she's never really run before, and it was a challenge. and then we left for spring break.  and she missed several practices.  and then she missed the first meet.

when we returned, there was a meet that very day. and since lilly had been absent, she sat with her coach to discuss a game plan, and to learn to take stats at this meet, until they could determine what she could run at the meet 2 days later.

coach gigi. 

and finally, yesterday...her first meet.  i know she was nervous.  she had no idea what running those events would be like.

i sent her a good luck text while she was riding the bus to the meet (disadvantages of 4 kids...missed her first ever track meet....) 

and here's where the story gets good (thanks for reading this far...)

she ran her first event.  800 meters.  and then sent me this text:

I got about 3:21 in the 800....only 2 people finished after me

"Okay...it was your first time - I'm sure you did great!" I responded.

 and here's where it gets priceless:

In the second lap i was dead tired but kept me going was quarter of the way through coach gigi yelled out, come on lilly almost there you can do it don't give up...that really gave me much needed boost

i'm teary-eyed reading it again.

"Good! That's what coaches are for!" I type.

I know...I need to thank her 4 it later

she had one more event to run.  the 400  meters.

400...1.20... last place :(

"Last place doesn't matter - just try to be faster next time :)"

Only got last place by about an inch.

and that made me smile.

she got home and recanted some of the stories, and said that she did thank coach gigi after her last event.

today...at practice...coach gigi told lilly that when she thanked her, it was the nicest thing anyone has ever said to her as a coach.

i think coach gigi, much like many other coaches and  teachers, know they're making a difference in the lives of these kids, but almost never hear it.  i'm very glad that mine can see, appreciate, and share thanks with them, even if it's only a rare occasion.

i know coach gigi will keep cheering lilly on.  and maybe lilly's words will help coach gigi when she's dead tired, too.  i'm certain she deserves it.

just for fun

it all started with jason sending me this link in an email:


a peeps diorama....of course. right up my alley.

the whole premise was very intriguing...create a scene (pop culture or whatnot) where the characters all had to be depicted with Peeps. Peeps have a long history with our family - while I know some will marvel at my creative use of them, others will strongly object to their waste, and for that, I apologize. but what better way to glorify the marshmallow?

if you read the fine print, we aren't eligible to win, but that wasn't going to stop me. i'm way past the deadline anyway.

while i constructed my diorama in my sleep, i mentioned it to a few people and posted a few comments on facebook...and the thing gained some momentum. there was no stopping it.

enter two snow days this week.

and peeps dioramas were born...all over our house.

let's start with molly's

not so much a diorama...but she is only four. it's titled "Easter Family"

and next, maya's...

titled "Family in Bedroom"

here we see her scene...

and the 'mom' laying in bed viewing the big screen TV (cleverly made of cardboard)

a swirl rug, and two peeps enjoying some good books (one is Harry Potter, the other is Kingdom Keepers). you'll also see a baby peep in a crib, with a babysitter nearby. don't miss the chandelier, also.

and then there's lilly's...

titled "Easter Peep House Party"

she decorated the back of her diorama


and here is her scene


notice the confetti in 'mid-fall' from the ceiling. drinks and a full candy dish on the table are sure to please all the peep party guests. and what could be more festive than balloons.

stay tuned for my creation.

my christmas - by maya baker

she handed me this this morning...

i thought it was blog worthy.

This story is about my Christmas. My Christmas is not real Christmas day.

The first thing I will tell you about is Christmas morning. We wake up mom & dad by running into their room screaming "Santa came! Santa came!" After we open presents we play with the toys. Usu
ally on Christmas we have breakfast at 11:00.

The second thing I will tell you about is opening presents. All the kids have certain wrapping paper. So we don't get mixed up with which present is for who. Whoever finds the pickle ornament first gets to pick the first present. Our family opens stockings at the same time.

The third thing I will tell you about is Christmas night. We make sleep potion. We throw out reindeer food and leave cookies for Santa. It is hard to sleep on Christmas. This is what I do on Christmas. I hope you love Christmas too!

first day of school

it started all over again today....

we're only 2 houses in from the elementary school...and the traffic on the first day...oy. everyone and their brother (and sister, and at least one parent) all come on the first day...we're fortunate to not have to park!

and this year is a bit different....when we moved here, there were 12 'neighborhood' elementary schools. and this year, there are only 7. a great decision as far as i'm concerned (at least for the moment!) our school is now up over 600 students in kindergarten thru 5th grade...225+ or so more than last year.

it's our third school year here...hard to believe!

and this morning, i reminded molly, that next year is her turn. NEXT year.

next year, you will find me in the fetal position in bed...rocking back and forth...unsure of what to do with my time...then i'll remember that molly is only gone for a few hours...and there's still cleaning and laundry and dishes and cooking and... and... and... stuff to do...

but enough about next year....THIS year...big things...

porter - all day, every day. 1st grade. learned to tie his shoes. after one quick mom lesson. and this morning, he had them packed in his backpack (as gym shoes have to be kept at school) and he decided that he wanted to wear them...because tying his shoes was his second most favorite thing to do in the WHOLE WORLD (right behind playing Wii). it SHOCKED the girls...and then someone mentioned 'what about eating mac and cheese' - and he still chose tying shoes as #2. he is so ready for first grade....on fire with reading and math. it's awesome. here's hoping he can keep his tackling and 'extra noise' to a minimum in the classroom. (and by extra noise, i'm mostly referring to the near constant light saber and shooting sounds....)

many people have mentioned to me about how tall porter is...how much he's grown. well, of course, i can always tell by the length of his pants...and how deep the flooding would have to be for him to safely come out dry....but as a point of reference...here is LAST year's FDOS picture:

now, because of the angles of the pictures, etc, it's hard to get a completely accurate measurement of growth...but roughly....last year...his chin was level with the bottom of our mantel...now scroll back up to see where it is one year later. sheesh. what do we feed this kid (other than mac and cheese?!?)

maya, maya, maya papaya. actually nervous for 3rd grade. not sure. perhaps it's missing her bff. perhaps it's the male teacher (though lilly had a male teacher last year and loved him. and grandmom pointed out last night that any man who teaches elementary school has to have a sense of humor and she'd be just fine...) but of all the kids...i think maya was the most nervous this morning. she even stopped walking outside her classroom door and said she wasn't going in.

and lillian. started safety patrol duty this morning. rules the roost. she left earlier than the other kids to be 'on her post'...and we met her at her classroom when she was done. can i just hear a 'holy crap' for having a kid in 5th grade? she's so ready, too. great friends. great learner. great kid. i'd like her to stay that way. and, ironically enough, she mentions frequently that she doesn't want to grow up. i think i ought to video tape that...(video TAPE...hmm...what's that?!)

and just look at that post-braces smile. again, a point of reference...last year's FDOS picture...


and here's the three who were headed out the door...

and then little ms. wannabe hopped in....she starts preschool again tomorrow (3 days a week this year) right after this picture snapped, lillian ran out the door - she loves to be early to her 'job' and i have to remind her that there actually are rules about HOW early she can be...and that leaving when i told her to was really enough time. honest.


i love their summer tans. summer was good to us (despite sanford lake being disgusting for most of august....)


lillian at her post...the rest of us head out the door (maya's backpack so full of stuff for her classroom that her lunch box wouldnt' fit...sheesh.)

we capture lillian at her post....clearly looking busy. HA. (the next picture i took showed her fixing her hair and headband....lol.)

no picture with the principal this year...couldn't see/find her...but with so many extra kids around...hard to do!

i do enjoy the energy around the school on the first day. kids are nervous and excited. teachers...rejuvenated after a summer break. many changed classrooms and/or schools this year. lots of changes. they feel good.

if i'm still living in this house when my children are 'gone'...and it's the first day of school...i wonder how i'll feel. will i be grumpy about the traffic? and cars using my driveway as a turn around (even though we're on a CUL DE SAC?!) or will i have a vision...of my kids in motion...with all those feelings that only the first day of school can bring...

excitement (seeing friends, new clothes, new things)

and so much nervousness (what will my teacher be like, who is in my class, what if i don't know anyone)

and pride (in showing off new clothes and talking about summer vacation experiences)

and in the end...coming home to mom with a motor mouth.

no...i already know. i will see those kids years from now - climbing out of their cars with overstuffed backpacks and shiny new shoes - and wish that they could tell me all the answers to

"how'd it go?"
"did you make new friends?"
"how was lunch?"
"who's in your class?"
"do you have homework?"

and i will remember days like today. and i will miss them.

baseball buddy

so it was soccer night at the loons game the other night...and as we have four soccer players, we were afforded some great opportunities to participate in special events at the game...

first, molly's team played a little game on the front lawn of Dow Diamond...

does the girl know how to strike a pose, or what?!

while she was playing out front, i ventured inside with Porter, who was selected as a Baseball Buddy for the night....



we checked in at guest services and he got his special 'baseball buddy' tshirt...he had a little bit of time to relax (so we watched some of Molly's game out front) before he had to report back and get his 'instructions'...

he ventured down through the grounds crew entrance to the field, and i was directed to the best picture taking spot...and i didn't know how perfect it would be until later...

he had a bit of time to wait in the tunnel, but apparently there was plenty for him to watch...

and then they moved out in front of the dugout...where he had a much better view of...well...the dugout!

and the bullpen!

and at one point, the catcher missed one of the balls...and it rolled RIGHT TO PORTER. and he picked it up. and he threw it back to the catcher. and i swear i thought he was going to wet his pants. he threw a ball to a professional baseball player.
and then another pitcher from the bullpen made a little walk to the dugout...and he high-fived the baseball buddies on the way.

and then it was time....the starting line ups!!

i had no idea who Porter's buddy would be...but they had the kids all lined up in order...and then suddenly the announcer says
"PORTER BAKER AND FIRST BASEMAN, #36, JAMIE ORTIZ!"

first base! the closed position to picture-taking zone...the shortest run (that poor left-field baseball buddy....)

(and being soccer night, all the players were 'superimposed' in Manchester United uniforms, etc...which just so happens to be our fav professional soccer team)

porter chatted jamie up (though i'm not sure how much english he speaks...) porter was swinging his arms like he was up to bat and had lots to show his buddy...i asked him later what he talked about and he said "i told him how hard i could hit the ball"...

porter stood relatively patiently during the star spangled banner...but he is 6...and a boy...AND WAS STANDING NEXT TO A PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL PLAYER ON THE FIELD...so, there's that. the camera man did include him in a bit of the 'big screen montage'...however, one camera-happy mom can only focus her lens in one place at a time...

and the moment the national anthem was over, you could tell that he followed directions to immediately exit the field. unlike some of the other kids who shook hand, or high-fived their buddies before taking off, i think porter just wanted to show jamie his speed.

as luck would have it...jamie hit a home run at his first at bat...we later discovered that he was drafted by the dodgers in 2006 and played for the Loons in 2008. this was his return to this team and his first game with them this season.

porter's soccer team was next up for soccer night duties as they were 'assigned' to lead the singing of the famed 7th-inning stretch along the 3rd baseline...well, a small group of 6 year old boys is not necessarily fit for that, so Jason (and our head coach, Doug) recruited all of our kids (and a friend or two!) to join along...

and some new, strange twist this year is that the 7th inning stretch ends with a 7th inning dance party...which the girls thoroughly enjoyed...and the video of Jason and Doug dancing will provide me years of enjoyment.

another great night at the ball park!