Foreign Countries

According to my daughter, we have travelled through several countries and only have two more to go until Florida.  The concept of states v.s. countries is not quite clicking yet.  So, tonight we are sleeping in the country of North Carolina in Roanoke Rapids.  En route, we even got to drive by Mexico (a town, not the country, but my daughter will argue otherwise).

We are all still in good spirits despite 11 hours on the road, an accidental trip through DOWNTOWN Baltimore (at least we got to see where the Orioles play), an unintentional stop in Triangle (Virginia), and a skinned knee.  Luckily, it was a beautiful day, so we were able to picnic at Rest Stops.  The Americans sure know how to do rest stops.  They definitely put Canadians to shame when it comes to tourism.

I had a good chuckle to myself as I loaded up our little Yaris this morning.  An elderly couple parked next to me carried out their two little suitcases and packed them carefully into their mini van.  No kids or other passengers.  Just them and two suitcases.  They then sat in their van and watched me tetris the Yaris full of three suitcases, a Bumbo, a playpen, three backpacks, a stroller, and assorted smaller paraphenalia in the passenger area.  I think they were just in awe of my compact car's super-powers!

I was planning to post some pics, but I haven't quite figured out how to without my usual programs on this netbook.  Stay tuned though....once I have more brainpower I will. For now, off to bed....after I settle my waaaaaaaay over-active 5 year old.  At least Leo is quietly occupying himself in his playpen, trying to roll over despite his arch nemesis, his left arm.

And as promised, some pictures from our trip!

Ocean Fun, The Classic Disney Shot, My Lil' Man, and Part of Our Drive Home (yes, that's the I-95!)

So Far, So Good

Well, I'm writing this post from Hazelton, Pennsylvania.  Where is that you say?  We're not entirely sure. We blindly followed our GPS from Ottawa (ignoring her to deek off the interstate for coffees) until we couldn't drive any further.

It's been a rainy day, which has made the drive not as fun as it could have been.  Sophia's 'magic bag' included some window gel clings, which made our Yaris a little more bright on a grey day.  Driving itself was interesting.  People don't seem to speed too much when driving, which surprised me.  We saw quite a few state troopers....maybe they really are as scary as people make you believe.

The highlight of our day?  Tricky's Diner -  a homey little diner on the American side near the 1000 Islands bridge.  It's a little run down (although the staff is super friendly, and breakfast for 3 at $10 can't be beat).  When we walked in, Sophia asked if this was our condo and if we were sleeping there!  The staff found it amusing, as did we, but then I realized Sophia really has NO concept of how long a trip this is going to be.

Well, it's 7pm.  The hotel's room darkening shades are drawn.  Sophia is watching a movie, complete with complimentary popcorn from the hotel lobby.  I am going to watch Mermaidia (which I've already listened to several times today)...and by watch, I mean sleep!

Had to pop back on to edit this post to add one more thing.  There is a phone in our bathroom!  Yes, an honest to goodness wall-mounted phone a foot from the toilet.  Hmmmm...

Holiday Ro-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-oad, Holiday Ro-o-o-o-o-o-oad!

I debated whether to use the classic National Lampoon's song for this title or what I think may become my theme song for this trip, 'I Wanna Be Sedated'.  However, seeing as it's about three hours earlier than I'm usually up, I don't think any sedation is in order.  Nature's got that one covered!

Okay, so we missed our planned start time, but not by much.  Getting everything done last night took a little longer than expected.  The kids are still sleeping right now, the car is packed, and I am just squeezing in a last minute pumping session for Leo.  (Did I mention I'd also be exclusively pumping during this adventure?  Have car adapter for breast pump, will travel!)

We should be on the road in about 20 minutes!  (Well on the road to the nearest Timmy's for an extra large anyways)

Catch you in the U.S. of A.!

aMOOsing Quote of the Day

From our five year old, Sophia (Moo)


"Susan (our GPS voice) doesn't care about red lights.  She keeps telling us to turn left, but the light is red!"

...and Here We Go!

Welcome to the Laughable Zoo.  I am quickly writing this first blog as I have a moment of quiet while my daughter, Sophia, watches tv and my son, Leo, takes a most likely short nap.  This weekend has been pretty busy as we are putting the final things together for our road trip to Florida, which is slated to start at 4am on Wednesday morning.

Of course, the first stop on said road trip will be at Timmy's for an extra large coffee!  We are hoping to get a few hours on the road in before the kiddos even really realize they are on the road.

We are making this first major family trip in our new to us 2008 Yaris sedan.  Yup...not a mini-van, not an SUV, a Toyota Yaris.  It will be great on gas, and I am determined to prove our sanity won't be lost in a compact car with an infant, a school-aged child, oh, and a husband and wife who are usually fairly polar opposite in our approaches to things!  What could possibly go wrong?

Until Wednesday, I'll keep writing my lists, adding surprises to my magic bag of tricks for my daughter, and praying that things are going to go smoother for us than they did for the Griswolds in National Lampoon's Vacation.