Trees for the Forest
We spent a good part of day four driving to our new destination. It was exciting coming "home" to Hampton Roads for the first time in four years. Everything was familiar, yet different. We have spent a good hour total having the following discussion: one of us..."Oh look! That's new." The other..."No it's not, we went there twice before we moved." Suffice it to say, it's pretty amazing how places change over time.
One thing we can both agree on, is that we do NOT miss the traffic. Yeesh.
We came here to visit the old house, see the neighbors we miss, go to tour battlefields, forts and possibly Colonial Williamsburg. We have been here almost two days now, and here is what we have done....
Nothing.
What it is about a forest? Oh wait, let me digress. See, we are staying in Newport News Park. One of our favorite old camping haunts. It is about 10,000 acres of forest, lakes, trails and just generally beautiful. Right in the middle of things, but away from everything.
We have spent the last two days marveling at the beauty. Catching fireflies and naps, fishing, biking for miles and checking for ticks. We haven't been to battlefields, but we did ride our bikes to what was George Washington's headquarters during the civil war. We saw several deer early in the ride and Nathan was calling to Bambi for much of the rest.
It rained yesterday for hours off and on, but that just gave us some needed down time. We played games with the kids, Noah started a trip journal (which is apparently going to consist of a single incomplete sentence per day- sigh), and we made some berry cobbler. Laundry got done too. What's a vacation without a little laundry?
Last night before bed we discussed all the things we haven't done. How we're completely and irreparably off schedule. But none of this is a bad thing. We're finally starting to relax. No one is bored. We're excited to see family, see DC, see...whatever we end up seeing.
Right now though, I'm going back out to see the trees. Taking my coffee for a walk in the woods.
Trees
Friday, July 8, 2011
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Friends
Days two and three behind us and we're becoming seasoned road trippers and campers now. The kids were delighted to find out that we actually WERE going somewhere and that there would be friends and fun. The whole first day of driving, and stopping, and shopping, Nate expressed his chagrin repeatedly saying, "THIS is not camping Mommy." And indeed it was not. However, when we lumbered into Camp Lejuene late on the second day, the newest camping scene unfolded.
My dear friend allowed us to change the landscape of her front yard for our visit. We started out in the more than adequate length driveway, only to realize we couldn't hook up our electricity unless we were closer to her house, much closer. We then proceeded to back on an angle, into the grass, and r-i-g-h-t up to her front step. "Hi! Haven't seen you in years, mind if I park in your foyer?"
But as it turns out, good friends don't care where you park your camper when you come to visit. Whew.
The kids. Oh my goodness the kids. Did you know, that children start out small and grow to gargantuan proportions at a high rate of speed?? Apparently I did not know this, because the sight of my best friends children after four yours was shocking. It literally brought me to tears. They are so grown and beautiful, and we're so...old. (Not that you look old Paige, you look like a spring chicken my dear.)
Age and grown children notwithstanding, we had a blast. We talked, we laughed, we ate yummy food. We rode horses at midnight with the kids and stayed up to the wee hours. During which wee hours we talked and laughed some more. And there might have been more eating. Berry cobbler I believe it was.
It was tough to say goodbye. We promised each other we wouldn't wait so long to see each other again, like we always do. The kids didn't want to say goodbye either, but it was off to new adventures. I am buoyed entirely in the knowledge that good friends will always be there, will always be the same person you loved then and are truly one of the greatest gifts in life. Even the ones who park in your foyer.
My dear friend allowed us to change the landscape of her front yard for our visit. We started out in the more than adequate length driveway, only to realize we couldn't hook up our electricity unless we were closer to her house, much closer. We then proceeded to back on an angle, into the grass, and r-i-g-h-t up to her front step. "Hi! Haven't seen you in years, mind if I park in your foyer?"
But as it turns out, good friends don't care where you park your camper when you come to visit. Whew.
The kids. Oh my goodness the kids. Did you know, that children start out small and grow to gargantuan proportions at a high rate of speed?? Apparently I did not know this, because the sight of my best friends children after four yours was shocking. It literally brought me to tears. They are so grown and beautiful, and we're so...old. (Not that you look old Paige, you look like a spring chicken my dear.)
Age and grown children notwithstanding, we had a blast. We talked, we laughed, we ate yummy food. We rode horses at midnight with the kids and stayed up to the wee hours. During which wee hours we talked and laughed some more. And there might have been more eating. Berry cobbler I believe it was.
It was tough to say goodbye. We promised each other we wouldn't wait so long to see each other again, like we always do. The kids didn't want to say goodbye either, but it was off to new adventures. I am buoyed entirely in the knowledge that good friends will always be there, will always be the same person you loved then and are truly one of the greatest gifts in life. Even the ones who park in your foyer.
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Day of Discovery
We left almost 24 hours ago now, on a road trip adventure only the Allgood's could have conceived of. Sixteen days, 3900 miles, camper, kids, bikes...margaritas.
The plan was fluid, flexible and fun. The reality has been, well, so far it has been one discovery after another.
They say you learn something new every day. Some days, you might learn more than others. Here are some things I've learned in the last 24:
If you don't finish packing the night before you leave? You might not get on the road until 2pm your first day out.
Starbucks has an app which will locate any Starbucks in a 50 square mile area based on your current location. It can also tell you that you have $0.00 on your Starbucks gold card.
Port Orange has a lovely Super Target with a marginal Starbucks.
The only campground you are staying in with a pool, will have the pool closed during office hours, which don't occur until three hours after checkout. Your children may be disappointed.
There is a 6 foot tall chicken at the campground in Walterboro, SC. But their pool is not open much on July 4th weekend.
A 386 mile, 5.5 hour drive will take 10 hours.
There will be more potty stops than you expect.
The cap will jiggle loose from your bumper and your sewer hose will fall out somewhere on the highway. Duct tape will remedy that and look very fashionable.
The front axle weighs 3080 lbs, the rear axle weighs 4080. For a gross vehicle weight (GVW) of 7160. The truck maximum GVW is 7350. Good thing I lost 60 lbs...
Four bikes on a bike rack hanging from your trailer bumper will break the welds and begin to tear your bumper right off. Fortunately, you will discover this at the first nights stop before losing bumper, bikes, spare tire and killing anyone who might've run into it.
In car video screens and DVD players are a good, good thing.
If your toddler tells you he's not done going to the bathroom, and you wipe him anyway, you'll have to do it again.
There's a town named Coosawhatchie. I extend my sincere condolences to all individuals who must list that on their resumes, marriage certificates, and Facebook pages.
The camper weighs 8360 fully loaded. The truck is rated to pull up to 13,500. Well, at least we did THAT right.
This Pro Pride 3P hitch was worth every single penny. Thank you Sean.
Just because there is a Krispy Kreme sign on the gas station doesn't mean they have Krispy Kreme doughnuts. Go figure.
Loves travel center has an app which tells you where every Loves in America is, as well as indicating the current gas price. They sell aspirin for the headache that gives you too.
A Ford F150 Eco-boost with heavy duty tow package towing an 8300lb travel trailer gets about 13mpg.
No matter what snacks you pack, the ones behind the glass of the vending machine will always be more appealing to your children.
Fireworks viewed from the side lot at a Hardees in SC, doesn't have the ambience of Disney, but they are still beautiful, and the kids love it.
Sleeping in our own bed after a day on the road is awesome.
The plan was fluid, flexible and fun. The reality has been, well, so far it has been one discovery after another.
They say you learn something new every day. Some days, you might learn more than others. Here are some things I've learned in the last 24:
If you don't finish packing the night before you leave? You might not get on the road until 2pm your first day out.
Starbucks has an app which will locate any Starbucks in a 50 square mile area based on your current location. It can also tell you that you have $0.00 on your Starbucks gold card.
Port Orange has a lovely Super Target with a marginal Starbucks.
The only campground you are staying in with a pool, will have the pool closed during office hours, which don't occur until three hours after checkout. Your children may be disappointed.
There is a 6 foot tall chicken at the campground in Walterboro, SC. But their pool is not open much on July 4th weekend.
A 386 mile, 5.5 hour drive will take 10 hours.
There will be more potty stops than you expect.
The cap will jiggle loose from your bumper and your sewer hose will fall out somewhere on the highway. Duct tape will remedy that and look very fashionable.
The front axle weighs 3080 lbs, the rear axle weighs 4080. For a gross vehicle weight (GVW) of 7160. The truck maximum GVW is 7350. Good thing I lost 60 lbs...
Four bikes on a bike rack hanging from your trailer bumper will break the welds and begin to tear your bumper right off. Fortunately, you will discover this at the first nights stop before losing bumper, bikes, spare tire and killing anyone who might've run into it.
In car video screens and DVD players are a good, good thing.
If your toddler tells you he's not done going to the bathroom, and you wipe him anyway, you'll have to do it again.
There's a town named Coosawhatchie. I extend my sincere condolences to all individuals who must list that on their resumes, marriage certificates, and Facebook pages.
The camper weighs 8360 fully loaded. The truck is rated to pull up to 13,500. Well, at least we did THAT right.
This Pro Pride 3P hitch was worth every single penny. Thank you Sean.
Just because there is a Krispy Kreme sign on the gas station doesn't mean they have Krispy Kreme doughnuts. Go figure.
Loves travel center has an app which tells you where every Loves in America is, as well as indicating the current gas price. They sell aspirin for the headache that gives you too.
A Ford F150 Eco-boost with heavy duty tow package towing an 8300lb travel trailer gets about 13mpg.
No matter what snacks you pack, the ones behind the glass of the vending machine will always be more appealing to your children.
Fireworks viewed from the side lot at a Hardees in SC, doesn't have the ambience of Disney, but they are still beautiful, and the kids love it.
Sleeping in our own bed after a day on the road is awesome.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
How to Leave a Message
Before placing your call, be sure that children are duly occupied and secure so as not to be a distraction. Check. Place call to Piano Tuner and listen carefully to 2 minute long prerecorded message featuring references to skills and extensive professional training. Followed quickly by a number where he can be reached and a beep. While writing number down, make sure 19 month old aspiring musician has access to small wooden recorder and is tooting joyfully at your feet. Miss hearing last two numbers. Sigh exasperatingly and hang up.
Place call again, listen with slightly less interest to prerecorded message and with much more intent to the phone number where he can be reached. While listening intently, have 19 month old tweeting and tooting with renewed gusto JUST as last number is spoken, and groan with even greater exasperation. Hang up and note that child has stopped tooting and is busily entertaining himself with a nice quiet book. Chuf at the irony.
Place call yet again. Listen, and recite in time, outgoing message. Squeeze head painfully between palm and phone as phone number is read for the third time. Write number triumphantly and with exclamatory "HA!", wait for beep to leave message.
BEEP! Begin leaving message of introduction as 19 month old rediscovers wooden instrument and happily toots ode to joy while running at your legs for a tackle. Twist free of tooting toddler while explaining where you heard of tuner's services and add resounding bark of basset who has also had her fill of kinder music for the day. To oddly melodic and well timed tooting and barking, add energetic grab of dishtowel from sink to toss in general direction of dog. Make sure dishtowel is unexpectedly soaking wet and fling water all over self and kitchen in the process.
Keep leaving message through gritted teeth and impending laughter at dog's startled silence and immediate commencement of barking. For grand finale, have wildly tooting toddler discover that he is sorely lacking in the percussion department and grab nearest kitchen cabinet door. Have toddler open and slam cabinet in surprisingly rapid succession, while maintaining perfect pitch and volume on wooden instrument. Dog must still be barking to create a cacophony unrivaled by a Metallica concert.
Stop and restart message repeatedly, stifling laughter and ending in rapid recitation of own phone number. All of this while grabbing for wooden instrument and door handle as toddler screams and runs away wailing in protest.
Hang up phone. Stand with mouth agape and wonder if piano really needs to be tuned... because he probably won't be calling back.
Place call again, listen with slightly less interest to prerecorded message and with much more intent to the phone number where he can be reached. While listening intently, have 19 month old tweeting and tooting with renewed gusto JUST as last number is spoken, and groan with even greater exasperation. Hang up and note that child has stopped tooting and is busily entertaining himself with a nice quiet book. Chuf at the irony.
Place call yet again. Listen, and recite in time, outgoing message. Squeeze head painfully between palm and phone as phone number is read for the third time. Write number triumphantly and with exclamatory "HA!", wait for beep to leave message.
BEEP! Begin leaving message of introduction as 19 month old rediscovers wooden instrument and happily toots ode to joy while running at your legs for a tackle. Twist free of tooting toddler while explaining where you heard of tuner's services and add resounding bark of basset who has also had her fill of kinder music for the day. To oddly melodic and well timed tooting and barking, add energetic grab of dishtowel from sink to toss in general direction of dog. Make sure dishtowel is unexpectedly soaking wet and fling water all over self and kitchen in the process.
Keep leaving message through gritted teeth and impending laughter at dog's startled silence and immediate commencement of barking. For grand finale, have wildly tooting toddler discover that he is sorely lacking in the percussion department and grab nearest kitchen cabinet door. Have toddler open and slam cabinet in surprisingly rapid succession, while maintaining perfect pitch and volume on wooden instrument. Dog must still be barking to create a cacophony unrivaled by a Metallica concert.
Stop and restart message repeatedly, stifling laughter and ending in rapid recitation of own phone number. All of this while grabbing for wooden instrument and door handle as toddler screams and runs away wailing in protest.
Hang up phone. Stand with mouth agape and wonder if piano really needs to be tuned... because he probably won't be calling back.
Friday, September 11, 2009
AM Dialogue With a 7 Year Old Who Knows Everything
Mommy: (Stumbling bleary-eyed towards the coffee machine) Good morning Pooky bear, Mommy overslept. Can you go get dressed while I make you breakfast?
Noah: (Twirling clumsily falls into kitchen bar stool) Ouch! Mom can I play Wii?
Mommy: (Fumbling uselessly with the coffee maker) Noah, please go get dressed honey, I don't want you to be late for school.
Noah: Mumbles something as he skips and careens through the hallway to his room.
5 Minutes later...
Mommy: (Willing coffee to brew faster, slapping sandwich together. Feeling like a scene in some movie I can't remember where Mom makes sandwiches badly, shoves in brown paper bag, sprinkles in skittles, balls up bag and hands to startled child.) Noah! Are you dressed?
Noah: Silence...
Mommy: (Sliding cheese toast across the counter) Noah?!
Noah: (Hops down hallway putting on first sock) Still no words.
Mommy: (Rooting through refrigerator for suitable lunch fruit) Noah. Do you have your homework from last night? We need to put it in your folder.
Noah: Silence...
Mommy: Noah, where is your spelling word list?
Noah: I don't know.
Mommy: You worked on it at that table over there, please go look for it.
Noah: (Feigning a search, tilts head left and right) I don't know where it is mom.
Mommy: Well keep looking, I need you to put it in your folder.
This pattern repeats for 5 more minutes until...
Noah: (Throwing up his hands in frustration while chewing cheese toast and peering into the trash can for his homework) I can't find it, I think the baby was trying to get it. Maybe he crumpled it up and threw it away. I didn't finish it anyway. Does it matter?
Mommy: Yes it matters! You didn't finish it?? You need to turn it in today for a grade. I thought you finished it! (Mommy rifles through desk papers and produces lined paper and a pencil.) Sit here, finish your breakfast, and write these spelling words in alphabetical order.
Noah: Sigh... Do I have to?
Mommy: Yes!
5 Minutes later
Noah: I'm finished! Can I play Wii?
Mommy: (Changing baby) Put it in your folder Noah. We've got to go.
Noah: I don't know where my back pack is.
Mommy: On the counter, please find it we need to go.
Noah: The folder isn't in the back pack. I don't know where it is.
Mommy: (Finishes dressing baby and comes out to kitchen to find Noah driving matchbox cars along kitchen counter 2 feet from folder.)
Noah: (Matchbox car in one hand, homework in other makes Vrrrrmmmming noises.) I don't know where my folder is mom.
Mommy: (standing with baby on hip looks incredulously at folder and then at child and wonders whether we should see an eye doctor or a shrink.) Really? You can't find it? Noah...find your folder.
Noah: Mom?! I don't KNOW where it is!
Mom: (Gestures with her head towards the counter.)
Noah: Oh.
5 Minutes later in the car...
Noah: Mom? Can I play Wii when I get home today.
Mom: I don't know.
Noah: (Twirling clumsily falls into kitchen bar stool) Ouch! Mom can I play Wii?
Mommy: (Fumbling uselessly with the coffee maker) Noah, please go get dressed honey, I don't want you to be late for school.
Noah: Mumbles something as he skips and careens through the hallway to his room.
5 Minutes later...
Mommy: (Willing coffee to brew faster, slapping sandwich together. Feeling like a scene in some movie I can't remember where Mom makes sandwiches badly, shoves in brown paper bag, sprinkles in skittles, balls up bag and hands to startled child.) Noah! Are you dressed?
Noah: Silence...
Mommy: (Sliding cheese toast across the counter) Noah?!
Noah: (Hops down hallway putting on first sock) Still no words.
Mommy: (Rooting through refrigerator for suitable lunch fruit) Noah. Do you have your homework from last night? We need to put it in your folder.
Noah: Silence...
Mommy: Noah, where is your spelling word list?
Noah: I don't know.
Mommy: You worked on it at that table over there, please go look for it.
Noah: (Feigning a search, tilts head left and right) I don't know where it is mom.
Mommy: Well keep looking, I need you to put it in your folder.
This pattern repeats for 5 more minutes until...
Noah: (Throwing up his hands in frustration while chewing cheese toast and peering into the trash can for his homework) I can't find it, I think the baby was trying to get it. Maybe he crumpled it up and threw it away. I didn't finish it anyway. Does it matter?
Mommy: Yes it matters! You didn't finish it?? You need to turn it in today for a grade. I thought you finished it! (Mommy rifles through desk papers and produces lined paper and a pencil.) Sit here, finish your breakfast, and write these spelling words in alphabetical order.
Noah: Sigh... Do I have to?
Mommy: Yes!
5 Minutes later
Noah: I'm finished! Can I play Wii?
Mommy: (Changing baby) Put it in your folder Noah. We've got to go.
Noah: I don't know where my back pack is.
Mommy: On the counter, please find it we need to go.
Noah: The folder isn't in the back pack. I don't know where it is.
Mommy: (Finishes dressing baby and comes out to kitchen to find Noah driving matchbox cars along kitchen counter 2 feet from folder.)
Noah: (Matchbox car in one hand, homework in other makes Vrrrrmmmming noises.) I don't know where my folder is mom.
Mommy: (standing with baby on hip looks incredulously at folder and then at child and wonders whether we should see an eye doctor or a shrink.) Really? You can't find it? Noah...find your folder.
Noah: Mom?! I don't KNOW where it is!
Mom: (Gestures with her head towards the counter.)
Noah: Oh.
5 Minutes later in the car...
Noah: Mom? Can I play Wii when I get home today.
Mom: I don't know.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Yellow
Yellow. It used to be one of my favorite colors. I think I still like purpley blue the best, but yellow was a close second. These days yellow has a new connotation.
See, when you're a good little boy in school, you're on "green". I guess green means go, go, go. And that's good because Noah does like to go. Then, if you're a little bit bad, say you accidentally stick your tongue out at someone, or perhaps you accidentally bark like a dog with a friend during class; then you "turn your card" to yellow. Caution, you're on yellow and headed for red.
There used to be an orange, before red, but that is SO first grade. Now we go right from yellow to red baby.
We were pretty familiar with yellow last year. It was a twice, thrice a week occurrence. We were regulars in yellow territory. A little bit bad on a regular basis. I tried bribery, remindery and angry, to no avail. If standardized tests are accurate, so too is the card turning system because Noah did not vary.
This year hopes were high. We have undoubtedly the best 2nd grade teacher in the school; she is WONDERFUL. Noah loves her, we love her, things have been going well.
Last week one yellow creeped in, this week, two days in a row. Today? I'm already feeling like it's a yellow day for some reason and I haven't even picked him up from school. I'm trying not to overreact. Maybe it just a fluke. Would it be better NOT to say anything about it? I mean who didn't stick their tongue out at a friend in 2nd grade every day? Or bark for that matter. I'm sure I barked during the occasional spelling test.
It's the teachers way of controlling behavior and reminding. Not mine. Maybe I should stay out of it unless it's red. I just don't know.
What I do know? I really don't like yellow anymore. I think I'll just stick to asking him how he did on his spelling test today. Ignorance is bliss.
See, when you're a good little boy in school, you're on "green". I guess green means go, go, go. And that's good because Noah does like to go. Then, if you're a little bit bad, say you accidentally stick your tongue out at someone, or perhaps you accidentally bark like a dog with a friend during class; then you "turn your card" to yellow. Caution, you're on yellow and headed for red.
There used to be an orange, before red, but that is SO first grade. Now we go right from yellow to red baby.
We were pretty familiar with yellow last year. It was a twice, thrice a week occurrence. We were regulars in yellow territory. A little bit bad on a regular basis. I tried bribery, remindery and angry, to no avail. If standardized tests are accurate, so too is the card turning system because Noah did not vary.
This year hopes were high. We have undoubtedly the best 2nd grade teacher in the school; she is WONDERFUL. Noah loves her, we love her, things have been going well.
Last week one yellow creeped in, this week, two days in a row. Today? I'm already feeling like it's a yellow day for some reason and I haven't even picked him up from school. I'm trying not to overreact. Maybe it just a fluke. Would it be better NOT to say anything about it? I mean who didn't stick their tongue out at a friend in 2nd grade every day? Or bark for that matter. I'm sure I barked during the occasional spelling test.
It's the teachers way of controlling behavior and reminding. Not mine. Maybe I should stay out of it unless it's red. I just don't know.
What I do know? I really don't like yellow anymore. I think I'll just stick to asking him how he did on his spelling test today. Ignorance is bliss.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Goldfish and Elmo
I was wondering this morning as I checked email, what would I do without Elmo? That precious 20 minutes that allows me to check news headlines, start laundry, sip instead of gulp my coffee and generally give me the only 20 minutes of peace and solitude outside of nap time in a day.
Then later, right now actually, I realized that there is another little gem in my arsenal...Goldfish crackers. A baked, cheesy, crunchy, semi-non guilt producing snack that can be toted anywhere. Ahh Goldfish crackers and Elmo, it's the little things in life.
Then later, right now actually, I realized that there is another little gem in my arsenal...Goldfish crackers. A baked, cheesy, crunchy, semi-non guilt producing snack that can be toted anywhere. Ahh Goldfish crackers and Elmo, it's the little things in life.
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