Lessons Learned

Macy is actually squeezed in there with Luke. This actually goes against all of the rules I set just 24 hours ago. Oh well, at least they are all buckled. And asleep!

Wow. I don't even know where to start today. We are 24 hours into the trip and we have learned a TON already! There is no better way to learn than by doing I suppose. We left later that planned (mistake #1) from Richmond and then realized once we got on the road that the place we had reserved to go to was really far off of the interestate (mistake #2), so we quickly made some calls and found a new spot that was even further but closer to the interstate. So the kids were in the RV for about 6 straight hours (mistake #3) and we didn't arrive until 7pm and everyone was hungry and tired! (mistake #4) Other than getting to Charlottesville only to be flagged down by a car beside us to let us know our Tahoe we are pulling was about to burst into flames, the ride went well. (A police car and fire truck came and all - thanfully we didn't need them and all appears to be ok. The amount of smoke was crazy - we are hoping it will still drive!)

We got all set up last night, ate dinner and finally got the kids to bed after they thoroughly enjoyed wathcing Wipe Out on the one channel we were able to get at the campground. (The boys ended up having to share an ice pack for matching bumps after trying to recreate the moves off of the loveseat.) Jude has never slept outside of a crib before so we were curious as to how he would do in the bottom bunk, but we only had to tell him once to stay in bed! We tried to recreate his crib at home so we packed everything, including the aquarium that plays soothing music. There was no place to hang it so we just set it in bed next to him (mistake #5). It fell out and smacked onto the floor around 3am, which made Luke wake up and start crying (in the top bunk with his sister), to which Shawn and I lept from our bed because we were convinced he had just fallen out of the top bunk. Whew.

The kids had fun playing at the campground this morning, followed by cold showers for all because we realized we didn't turn on the hot water heater (mistake #6). We are on our way to a place called Lake Rudolph, in Santa Claus, Indiana. It looks like an awesome spot for the kids with special Santa appearances, a water park, putt putt, etc. And it looked like it was just a hop, skip and a jump off of 64. Nope, 2 hours out of the way. One way. (mistake #2 repeated) Sooooo, after some warm debate on the topic, we decided to stick to the plan and go anyway. Right now we are cruising along with 3 napping children. I have to say, it is worth it to have an RV just for the sheer fact that the kids can actually lay down and sleep...for a nice long time. :)

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