Road Trippin'

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

The subtitle to this is: Not Another Groundhog Day.
You do remember the movie Groundhog Day, where the same day is repeated over and over...right?

So you know how you are so excited for summer and it's long, lazy days with absolutely nothing to do....the whole summer, weeks and weeks stretched out in front of you...a few plans here and there....but mostly wide open....it sounds so good.
And it is. Especially at first.
And even now, it still is (I sware).
And I'm not complaining either, really I'm not.

But when you stay home with the kids full time summer feels a little different.
 A little Groundhog Day-ish, ya know? The wide-openness of it can be a little overwhelming...finding something to do every single day. I do that all year.
And believe me, I am not one of those moms that thinks there needs to be something super fun and exciting going on every day, I'm not. But still, we all need a change of pace, different scenery...away from this house. And really, I think I might need it more than them but it does wonders for all of us. And by the way, Wyatt's preschool got out early May, so Summer Vacation has been in full-affect for over a month here now.

So a couple of weeks ago I decided we couldn't stay home another day so I announced to the kids that we were going on a Road Trip in the morning. This announcement was met with jumps and screams and the question; "Where to?!!?" over and over until they calmed down. The answer didn't really matter but we were going to my aunt's about an hour away to deliver something to her. It's a small town, not super exciting, but the kids could care less. We were going to make our own fun. And we did.

This Road Trip meant watching a movie in the car.
Snacks and water bottles packed.
Books, action figures and matchbox cars were gathered.
And if they were good, really good, it meant they each got two whole dollars to spend at the antique store or flea market...on anything they wanted.
Don't you love how I get them in on the antiquing with me? I'm sly like that. And they really do love it.



They also know that Aunt Barb's means the possibility of fishing in her pond, exploring around their land and playing with her legos and baby dolls. We did all of it.
We also checked out the State Park nearby, played on the playground, ate lunch and got ice cream at the dairy bar and found some treasures antiquing.





Ahhhh...Road Trips, I sware by them.
Just being away for the day, a new adventure, in a different place.
Take the kids, our just yourself. And stay gone all day.
You won't regret it. Not even if your destination is what you think is a not-very-exciting, small town.
I promise.
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Oh, and go read my interview on the Ten On Ten blog, it's up today. My very first interview!

10 comments:

  1. A change of scenery makes everything better :)
    (and man do I hear you... I keep hearing everyone say "summer, oh no! how do we fill our days???" and by this point... I'm out of ideas!)

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  2. Small town destination road trips are great. We head to my grandparents' place at least once every summer. I adore it. The Offspring enjoy it as well.

    We are still in the "nothing is fine with us" phase as far as summer break is concerned. I'm hoping it lasts a bit longer.

    Fab interview. Can I have your autograph?

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  3. Road Trips are so invigorating!
    Nothing but time to be together.
    No chores! just time
    I think it's why our girls always beg to stay at the little hotel right down the street!!:)
    Looks like a great day.
    Enjoy the night

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  4. Aw, look at that young man holding the fish up for the camera:) Cutie.

    And yeah...we'll be having a road trip, but not for sightseeing or anything, 2 1/2 hrs of driving then camping for one night, then another 2+ hrs of driving and then camping at the house of one of Grammy's nieces. If that makes any sense. ;)

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  5. loved this post, Amy. gorgeous photos... i especially love that one of your son with his fish!

    thanks again for sharing your thoughts and photos with us over at Ten on Ten!

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  6. Hi Amy! It was so much fun to read about your road trip. I read the whole thing....it kept me engrossed. You sound like a great Mom and I love your photographs, too. :)

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  7. Roadtrips -- just little day trips -- are a great way to break up the monotony. And I can be very sly too when I drag my kids places. Whatever works.

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  8. Looks like a great road trip! Gorgeous photos.

    Sometimes I have to bribe Levi to get him to leave the house because if we don't leave I'm pretty sure I'll go nuts. Luckily, the promise of seeing one of his favorite people or ice cream generally gets him going.

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  9. What a great idea for a day! I wish my 2 year old would be a little better about hanging in the car..she's getting there but it's still not easy. I love that picture of your son holding up the fish..adorable!

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  10. We're about to head out on a three week road trip with the kids and the dog. I hope it goes as well as yours did!

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