Oh, the places we will go (Part 2)

In Part 1, Jen and I considered our trip to SC a win. The ride back to BR was not quite as successful.

We started out from SC around 6:30pm, stopping first for Starbucks (if you haven't tried a Caramel Brulee Latte, you need to) so we could get all hopped up on caffeine for the ride to Montgomery where we would stop for the night. We started out ok, and the boys eventually fell asleep nicely and we were on a roll. Unfortunately, they woke up really fussy about an hour outside of Atlanta (3 hours in) and we were forced to stop, change diapers, feed the little guys, pee, get more coffee and FINALLY get back on the road.

During the mass commotion that was our car during this 30 minute pit stop, a young, fairly normal looking woman approached us (as I was just finishing changing a crying, tired baby). The conversation went something like this:

Girl: Are you headed toward Atlanta?
Me: Yeah, it's south, the exit is right there (pointing to the interstate sign, I assumed she was lost)
Girl: Cool, so you can give me a ride?
Me: (obviously shocked) HAHA. Have you lost your mind? I have 3 kids in there!!
Girl: But your going to Atlanta.
Me: (Trying to be nice) I have my car packed up and we don't have room.
Girl: Aww, come on, you are already going that way.
Me: Yeah, with my 3 young children.
Girl, I have a 2 year old too...
Me: So you should probably go see her.
Girl: But...
Me: You need to back up away from my car, now. BACK UP, NOW.

At that point, she knew I was serious and I was a bit on edge. I thought she looked normal, but I'm wasn't sure what the crackhead in her was about to do so I made sure she knew I wasn't afraid to go nuts on a crackhead. She finally left and went inside. It was quite the interesting experience with a crazy homeless person. Seriously, you have to be pretty crazy to WANT to get into a car with us...

It took some tears to get everyone back to sleep and another couple hours passed until we made it to Montgomery. We (ok, I) then took a wrong turn off the exit and took an extra 10 minutes to find our hotel. Grrrr. When you just want to get in and get settled, getting lost sucks...at 1am, with 3 kids, in 35 degree weather.

The hotel was pretty good, we had a bit of a time again checking in, getting everyone inside and settled, but we finally got everyone to sleep. The cribs were set up this time (thanks to Jen for calling ahead and making sure they were). Unfortunately, someone (Owen decided that the late 4's was a good time to start making some noise. Had we been at home, no big deal, but in a hotel room, you don't have many options. We managed to keep him quiet for a while but I think everyone was up by 5:45am. I later found out that Jen didn't even sleep for two hours. I was out like a light though, thankfully, since I knew it would be another interesting ride home.

We packed it up again and hit the road. The boys slept a little during the morning time, but not the 2 hours they normally get. After some more stops, etc. everyone slept about 45 minutes for the afternoon nap - not awesome considering when we got home to BR, we needed to get ready for a going away party later in the evening. Jen's cousin John has joined the Marines and it was the last big shindig for him before he shipped out so we had to see him off.

With the help of GaGa and Pops, who came to our house when we got home, we were able to get everyone ready and out the door for an appearance at the party. Jen and I were not expecting much considering the lack of naps that everyone had, but we were hoping to make it long enough to say our goodbyes. Luckily, Parker and Jack snoozed on the way over there so when we got there, I stayed in the car with them for their catnap.

The party was good, I think we lasted almost an hour and a half. By the time we left and got home, we were definitely exhausted. LSU was playing Arkansas at 7pm so I had to stay up for that nailbiter...Once LSU clinched it in OT, the TV went off and I was done. Jen barely made it to the second half.

Soooooo. Here is the thing for next time...I think we need to start a bit later so they don't stay awake very long at the beginning of the trip and go for as long as we possibly can drive while still being safe. The next time we do make a long trip like that, Park and Jack will be a little bit older and in forward facing seats. I'm not expecting these trips to be easy for some time, but at least they are manageable and the time with MawMaw and PawPaw make it totally worth the trip.

Anybody else have travel tips for youngsters? We are taking suggestions!!!