Road Trip

360 miles, covering 3 states, in just over 6 hours, with two sweet kiddos in the backseat, and one brave Mommy in the front. The only reason we got away with just two pit stops and no gray hairs on this long road trip...our portable DVD player. (I am not a big fan of using movies to entertain kids, but when a 22 month old has to sit still, strapped in a car seat for 6+hours, I am okay with leaning on movies to help pass time...and trust me...this is the most t.v. that Riley has ever been allowed to watch at once.) Riley was great the entire trip, only fussing for a stretch break once in the middle of the trip and once when we were just a few miles from Grammy's house. Zach...he slept the entire way, except when I woke him up at a rest area for a diaper change and bottle. Amazing!

I am so glad that I decided to bring the kids to my Mom's place for the week, while JD has been out of town. We have had a great time together with family and friends. We arrived on Sunday afternoon, and spent the day hanging out with Grammy. Riley had fun helping water Gigi's beautiful flowers.

Monday, after a very successful nap time (successful, due to the coordination of both kids napping at the same time)...

We headed to Papa's and Essie's for a visit and an introduction to their new grandson.

Although Riley doesn't get to see her Papa too often, she warmed right up...especially after he made some super sweet, super yummy, homegrown corn on the cob to share.

Although Aunt Mary had to work the first few nights we were in town, she always spent a few minutes with us each morning when she got home.

Tuesday was rainy...so we just spent the day at home playing.


Wednesday was action packed. We first met for lunch at LaRosa's with a very good friend of mine that I met in college...Jenn Beard Mossberger and her two sweet kids Maggie and Max. Jen and I met our Freshman year at U of E, as we both lived on the same floor of our dorm...only to discover that we grew up just a few towns apart in Indiana.

Our reunion lunch was great, as we had not seen each other since my wedding 11 years ago. The kids gelled perfectly, since they are all so close in age. Maggie will be 3 the day after Riley turns 2, and Max is 18 months. Although our visit was short, we caught up on so much. We only wished our two roomies were with us...Miss you Rondi and Jen W.

After lunch, Riley and Zach napped in the car on the way to pick up Papa. Since the weather has been either rainy or way too hot to be outdoors, we headed to Run, Jump and Play...a fun indoor playground where Riley could expend some of her energy. She had a ball testing out the many different slides.

There was also a trampoline, which Riley tried out for the first time. She didn't care for it at first, but then there were two other kids who showed up about Riley's age, and shared time with her in the trampoline. They sold her on the fun of running and jumping on the trampoline. It was hard to get her to leave when it was time to go home.

Papa, Riley and Zachary...taking a break after a long afternoon of play.

After we dropped Papa off at home, we headed back to Grammy's house for some rest and relaxation. Riley shared her Clifford books with Grammy, while Zach...caught up on his zzzz's.

Part two to come soon!