All in a Day's Drive...

Last Thursday, we packed up the family car and headed off to Chattanooga, TN. Spring break was upon us and we were all looking forward to spending a full week with my dad and Wendy down South. While we were very excited about our vacation, Steve and I were not exactly looking forward to the car trip to get there. It went a little something like this...

4:00 - Car packed.  Kids buckled.  We're off!

4:11 - Still in driveway.  DVD players making video but no sound.  Sigh.

4:16 - And we're off (for real this time).  Kids whining in back about broken DVD players.  Parents smiling through frustration and attempting to tune kids out. 

5:09 - Kids have gone through everything in "kids' fun bag" (coloring books, magna doodles, snacks, books, etc.).  Complaints still being made about non-working DVD players.  Parents not as smiley and seriously considering stopping to buy new players so that children make it through trip alive.

6:30 - Potty break and drive thru for dinner.  Little people think we are in Chattanooga.  Adults explain to disappointed children that we are still in Ohio.

6:40 - Restaurant has huge, empty parking lot out in back.  Mom makes kids run to get energy out.  Strange man with two scary looking dogs walks over from sketchy motel next door.  Car is quickly packed up and we're off.  Again.

7:25 - Madison begs parental figures to try DVD player one more time to make sure it hasn't miraculousy been fixed.  Parents sarcastically humor her and are elated when crappy DVD player suddenly works again...with sound and all.

7:26 - Mom is declared "bestest mommy in the whole white world" by three year olds in the backseat.  Mom pulls out Kleenex to dry tears of happiness off Olivia's face.

9:30 - Arrive at hotel and get checked in for a night of rest before trip must continue again next day.

10:45 - Tired parents yell at Olivia for 15th time, asking her kindly to please stop talking about Chattanooga and just go to sleep.

Friday -

6:50 - Up and moving.  Day two of road trip.

7:40 - Arrive at hotel's continental breakfast.  Children have choice of anything in the world they'd like to eat.  Madison picks raisin bran and Olivia picks a banana.  Mom questions whether these healthy eathing children actually belong to her.

8:25 - Back in car.  Kids complain and protest over spending more time in car.  Parents breathe huge sighs of relief when DVD player turns on and is still working.

10:30 - Highway traffic slows to 5 mph.

10:45 - Highway traffic slows to complete stop.

11:07 - Parents notice people in cars up ahead getting out and walking around.  Not good.

11:15 - Highway is still complete parking lot.  Livie spots a blue ball in sky up ahead.  It's being tossed by kids playing catch ten cars in front of us.  Olivia is mad when told that she can't go play too.

11:37 - Haven't moved.  Everyone in car really needs to pee.  Mom pulls out portable potty seat (that dad complained about packing) and people in car use portable potty.  No need to mention who all actually used it...

11:50 - Still stopped.  People in white car in front of us now sunbathing on roof of car.  Game of volleyball taking place in median up ahead.  Football being played in median behind us.  People in other cars offering to pay money to use our portable potty if traffic doesn't start moving soon.

11:59 - Traffic starts moving again with no signs of accident or construction.  State of Kentucky just wanted to have fun with us all.

12:15 - Hungry family stops at nearest exit and gets yummy sandwiches from a Subway that's connected to a fireworks store.  Interesting concept.

1:11 - Parents pop in Dave Ramsey CD which lulls backseat passengers into deep sleep. 

1:40 - Chattanooga...finally!!!

Pictures from our week of vacation to follow...