Sometimes you've just gotta dive in. That's just what I'm doing next week, going on a fairly spur-of-the-moment road trip with my three boys to see Sanibel Island. Two things I have wanted to see longer than I can remember: Sanibel's seashell-strewn shores and manatees. If I'm very lucky, I might get to see both before the week is out.
A third thing I have wanted for a long time: to go on a major road trip adventure with my kids. I'm so, so scared of long trips with kids. I don't even like driving in the car for a long time, and add three children under the age of 8...oof. And to go it alone, without the second parent or some other trusted adult? Oh, so scary. But yet another thing I want is not to let fear make decisions for me. So there's no time like today. Well, ok, I'm waiting until Monday morning so that I can do things like, oh, stock up on diapers and wash a few loads of laundry. There's a little room for practicality in adventure, right?
I'm equipped with ideas for pit stops, a list of radio stations (gotta have NPR wherever you go), maps, and a treasure trove of fun new surprises for the kids. But most of all, I have my always-middle-of-the-road expectations. Never expect things to be 100% awesome or 100% crappy. Always assume it will be somewhere in between, be prepared to weather a little suckitude, and leave room for unexpected fabulosity. (And have a long list of things to do but be willing to abandon the whole list.)
I also love impracticality, though, and with that in mind, we painted up a bunch of wonderful river rocks and landscaping rocks to bring with us, leaving them in a trail as we go, like Hansel & Gretel's shining pebbles. Each has a different message on it, inspired by this and this. I have another idea for our trip back, can't wait to show you!
Griff is diving in to summer, too, with a huge spurt of Lego creativity. He spent the day building a variety of designs, letters, and figures that sprang out of his head and took form in little plastic brick shape.
What adventures are calling you? What's keeping you from diving in? Take the plunge!
(And how crazy that Patience is on the same wavelength this week, go check out her family dream...)
