Traveling with kids

So, I spent the weekend in Maryland for my granddaugther's third birthday party.  I traveled alone with a five year old ( a friend's little boy) and my other granddaughter (also three).  I used to travel alone with my own children all of the time.  This weekend reminded me that it was a lot tougher than I remember!  The trip became longer than when I travel alone.  Stops at rest areas are automatically doubled with respect to time when you have children with you.  But then again, I didn't have the special bathrooms that are in rest areas now for families.  I carted a "potty chair" in my vehicle so I didn't have to stop at every rest area.  Somehow I was never able to coordinate their bladders.  How in God's name did I do it?! 

I was always so busy as the general of my little army that I wasn't always able to cut loose and get silly with them.  We went to one of those places with inflatable slides and jumping areas.  Yes, I did and there is photographic proof!  It was so much fun to play!  The lesson in this for all of us - don't wait to be a grandmother to play!  Do it with your own children and do it now!  I wish I had done more playing as a parent.  Remember - you cannot go back in time.  There must be some balance that you can find between having fun and being the lady in charge.  Maybe I did alright and just don't remember. 

I did find that I can still handle it all, which makes me feel pretty good.  This old bird still has some life left!  It was fun watching my daughter handle all of the party arrangements.  She is a natural!  So, please forgive me, while I will still tell the story of "Sake" , I really think I need to change her moniker to "Mommy".  I love spending time with her mother to mother and I really miss having her closer.  Love you "Mommy"