Have Minivan, Will Travel

Given my thrift shop habit and affinity for the clearance rack, it should probably come as no surprise that we opted to drive to Florida for our vacation.  My frequent flyer miles expired years ago, and I have always believed that a nice long road trip is good for children. It teaches kids an important lesson in patience.  And bladder control.

I happily packed a host of items to occupy the boys during the long drive. My stash included:

• Jack's violin
• Dan's multiplication cards
• Joey's Dick & Jane books
• Educational reading material on U.S. geography and presidential history

Unfortunately, my husband took one look at my box of travel diversions and lumped everything. He reminded me that Jack was not that good at the violin yet, and I if I expected him to drive then I would have to leave the violin behind. He also charged the kids' Nintendo DS games (bought on sale at Target for $99 over Christmas only because they came with a $10 Target gift card). My plans for a cerebral vacation went down the drain along with the gallon of milk we dumped before departing.

I still feel the violin would have been nice.

Once we were on the road, my husband began talking excitedly about the route he had planned that would take us through Tucker, Georgia for a restaurant he had seen on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Matthew's Cafeteria was on Joe's brain and the thought of a southern breakfast the next morning kept him in grand spirits with only limited episodes of road rage. Everything was going along swimmingly.

We pulled up to the Holiday Inn in Tucker, Georgia where Joe and I tag-teamed the night manager to get our room rate reduced by 40% before we even checked in. As I tucked in all my boys with visions of biscuits and gravy dancing in their heads, I couldn't help but think life was great.

Perhaps I should have packed pajamas?

And that's when I knew disaster was right around the corner.  Because nothing ever goes smoothly when yours truly is involved.  I am Bobby Brady's Hawaiian tiki and King Tut's curse wrapped up in one.  Where I go, affliction and blight follow. 

I warned no one.  One last good night's sleep was the least I could do.

They would all need their rest for the great storm ahead.

....to be continued.......