Original Blog Post: March 14, 2009- The Amazing Race, Parent Style

When travelling with children there are some important things to remember, you have no control over what will happen and choose laughter. 
We had a lot of fun trekking with our boys across the midwest.  It's a great way to spend time together, I'd forgotten how fun it can be getting stuck in a tiny space for several days. 
It was a lot like our own Amazing Race:
'In this Detour, teams will choose which member will take the three year old with diarrhea into the rest stop and which will stay in the car with the three month old wiping off poop up his onsie to his ears.  This will occur four times in a five hour drive so teams will have to be prompt, swift and not lose their humor.  The one to lose their temper may be eliminated.'
'In this Roadblock, one team member will have to explain to the three year old who's been talking about it all day why the hotel has indeed chosen to close the pool for maintenance even though the team called them a week ago to make sure the pool would be open.  It doesn't require much braun but a team that's exhausted may have trouble maneuvering around the land mines that are communication with a disappointed three year old.'
All in all, the boys were wonderful.  There were two instances of everyone crying at once and those only lasted a few minutes before we got to our destination.  We got to spend time with a new cousin and a few cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and great-grandparents we had seen but didn't really remember.  Damek was introduced to a trampoline, the Cave of the Winds and hotel continental breakfasts.  He was also very taken by the wedding and told me this morning that Jesus was going to marry us tomorrow and have a big shindig with a great dance afterward.  Caedmon was introduced to a dizzying array of people and dutifully smiled and laughed for all of them, even when he really just wanted to sleep.  Our first night on the road after leaving Colorado he slept straight through until 5:30 and then, after eating, fell asleep again until 9.  I think he was a little tired.
Yesterday, Caedmon received his last synagis shot.  The nurse weighed him before giving the shot and we learned he'd gained 2 1/2 pounds in one month!  He's now weighing in at 15 lbs 8 oz.  He also, in the midst of screaming after the shot was given, tried valiantly to smile at the nurse and tell her he still loved her.  What a warrior!