Lessons from the Road

For as much as I love being home, I am really beginning to embrace the excitement of traveling.  Last year we were able to check off 6 states in our 50 state quest.  This year we have had a great start with 2 states already checked off in January.  When we made the family goal of taking the kids to all 50 states I had idilic dreams of the various educational experiences we would bestow on them.  However, I keep being surprised by how often I am the one learning.  My travel education is not focused on learning facts, but on learning about life.  I am still a "young" parent and I suppose I have many lessons ahead of me.  Travel seems to be an apt curriculum.

The top three things I learned on the Utah trip:

I can indeed drive and not be a passenger all the time!  It was my first solo driving trip with the kids (Ray stayed home) and I think I can now embrace being a road warrior.  I even handled Max throwing up in the car, when it was -9 degrees and we were 20 minutes from nearest truck stop...at night.  I have been initiated!

Surprising a friend for her birthday is a sure way to beat the January blues!  The kids and I will never forget the look on Utah Caroline's face when we jumped up from behind Karen's kitchen island yelling "surprise".  BEST TIME EVER!

When you have a best friend, get to know her best friends.   Chances are you will find another kindred spirit to add to your list!  This is not something I would have naturally thought to do.  I usually find a way for my close friends to get to know my family, but that is about as far as I have ever gone.  Getting to know Utah Caroline's friends has been amazing and a true gift.

At Karen's house right before we surprised Utah Caroline.
The kids set up their Fuzzies with a surprise sign and then we hid behind the island.

Playing at the Museum of Ancient Life in Utah.  The erosion table was their favorite.

The top three things I learned on the Minnesota trip (Mall of America):

Having another homeschooling family to bond with is important and taking a trip with them is an excellent way to test that bond.   When our friends, one of whom happens to be an airline pilot, suggested a trip using their buddy flight passes, we were excited and of course agreed.  It was a great trip and we know we hit on something special, since all eight of us had a throughly enjoyable time.

Flying with another young family is awesome, especially when you get the adult to child ratio down to a 1:1.  The kids were so excited to be with each other that they made the time in the airport and on the plane an event in itself.  On the plane the oldest two had me laughing as they sat reading the flight safety instructions like the true first borns that they are, while the younger two bounced around in their seats charming anyone within ear shot.

You can get Ketocal (Max's liquid medical food) through security.  This is a big lesson for us, it was the first time we tried to carry it in our carry on luggage!  Since it was a short trip and we were not checking bags, we decided to try it.  I carried a letter from neurology and a letter from our pediatrician.  We had no problems flying out with three boxes, but the Minnesota airport made us open the last box on our way home to test it.  Thankfully Max was ready to drink it, at $5 a box I was not anxious to throw it out.  They also told me that only one box needed to be tested if we had been traveling with more, which was good to know, even though it makes no sense security wise.

Minnesota in January = a weekend at the Mall of America

Sea Life Aquarium in the Mall of America - awesome!

There is an amusement park in the center of the mall!  We had a fun time on the log ride..
well 2 out of the 3 of us had fun.

 A combined lesson I learned from both trips is that I can take two trips within 5 days of each other and not lose my sanity.  This surprised me, I am not sure how I am becoming so laid back, but I like it.  I look forward to future lessons and future trips.  However it will be nice to stay home for a little while.