upon return

Greeted by an extreme heat wave, we have reluctantly returned to our Texas home from Summer Road Trip '09. A splendid trip which I hope to write about here very soon. As soon as I upload my pictures, which is as soon as I have space on my hard drive, which I hope is very, very soon.

But in the meantime, many friends have asked how we managed to cheerfully pass most of the many hours spent in the van driving through seven, yes seven, states with five young to young-ish passengers. I have promised to share some details with links for anyone looking for ideas. The thoughtful search for auto entertainments usually begins at least two months before departure, because there is just so very much to do in the last week that I can't possibly leave such an important task to the last.

The first key to success on long road trips is to plan to stop frequently and preferably not always at gas stations...parks, historical markers, scenic waysides and interesting local finds provide opportunities to really stretch legs and make noise. Another key: pack good snacks and plenty of water. But, if you've travelled much as family, that is all old news, so onto the "stuff".

No road trip is complete with out a stash of new books for each child. This time First born was treated to a copy of The Twenty-One Balloons and the enjoyable Fr. Finn Set II, companion to the first set of three books by the same author. Having already read and re-read numerous times the Eleanor Estes classic, Ginger Pye, Sunshine was excited on our return trip when I passed back to her a copy of Pinky Pye which I snagged a trip prep stop at our local Half Price Books. For Rosebud, there were some new volumes of her treasured Henry And Mudge stories. In addition, I brought along more read alouds than I could ever actually hope to accomplish on a trip, including a Vision book about the life of Saint Paul and a book about the life of Abraham Lincoln, both of which we enjoyed though neither of which we completed.

The Prof packed music and loaded both his IPods with a variety of classical, bluegrass and, well, miscellany. The children enjoyed the privilege of listening to the Ipod and playing games on them. Normally I also pack along the "trips only" electronic games, but somehow left them behind this time. Though a little handheld Connect Four did make it into the activity crate and was enjoyed by all, including Little O.

Then there was the singing. This was something brand new and unexpected. The Prof was skeptical and I was hopeful and, in the end, we were both surprised by how successful this activity became. Using CDs from the Lester Family, we learned Canons and Rounds and then moved on to more advanced songs sung in 2, 3, and 4 part harmony. (Well, we are working towards the three and four part harmony) The children are still singing and humming these melodies throughout the day and trying to plunk them out on the piano as well. It is a fun moment when a four voice round spontaneously rises out of the quiet humming of someone working in the kitchen or passing the time on the couch. These cds are highly recommended for the eager and reluctant singers in your life.



More music. I guess there was a bit of a theme to the trip. I brought along a recorder with introductory book. The Prof was a bit aghast when he saw this item stashed away in my activity crate. "Do you think it will be too loud for the van ride," I timidly queried. "Yes of course!" was the instant reply. I promised to save it for a desperate moment or withold it altogether.

It is always the return trip when THE moment arrives. Everyone is getting a big ragged, they've read all of their books, burned out on Mad Libs, colored all of their favored pictures in the Costumes of the Colonial Era coloring book and they want something new, something different. And that was the moment that I pulled out the recorder and without a word played through the entire beginner book. Whew! Another hit. Everyone, little by little, wanted a turn and wanted to learn songs. Much fun.

In addition, I did have a little stack of cards I picked up at the toy store with 52 Activities for the Car, but, honestly, we only did one or two of these so I'll have it for next time. There is always a next time...we are family with relatives and friends in far away places, friends and family whom we want to visit whenever we can sneak away. And, of course, there are always sites to see and old favorite haunts to revisit, but more on all of that later when I am able to provide some pictures.


It is nice to be back in this space and I feel a buzz of optimism about becoming a regular here again.