We loaded the children, the luggage, the snacks and the entertainment for a week-long trip to my mother and step-father's house in Northwest Indiana. I don't think the early pioneers packed as much as we did, and they traveled three times as far.
The car was clean, so we skipped our usual pre-travel tirade and substituted it for an impromptu at-the-hotel tirade when we discovered all the items the children had left behind. Ian-the-boy got into the car without a shoe to his name, despite his assurances to the contrary as we were pulling out of the driveway. Tara left behind all of her Sunday clothes, save her blouse and all of the casual clothes we'd just purchased for her earlier that day. We raided a Walmart and Grammy's closet for suitable substitutes for both children. Thank goodness Grammy is petite.
We split our outbound journey and spent the first night on the outskirts of the Wisconsin Dells. I was keen to show the children the Circus World Museum in Baraboo and John was keen to let me. We learned several important things at Circus World.
The best way to ride a unicycle is to have it bolted to the ground. Similarly, for tight-rope walking it helps if the rope is a pipe. Padded mats are always useful (but we knew that already).
The animal trainer NEVER turns his back on the tiger. Tigers get really interested in visiting toddlers when the crowd begins to disperse. Young tigers have a shorter attention span than my children (didn't think that was possible), but consequently, tiger trainers have more patience than mothers (they're better paid, too).
Circus parade carts are even more beautiful than I remember.
Watching my children ride a carousel is yet another addition to the long list of things that make me cry happy tears.
And, finally, it's the little things like fun-house mirrors... (John was just as silly as the children.)
...and merry-go-rounds that make a vacation really fun.
(They'd never seen one of these before. Who'd have thought I'd have to teach my children all the tricks to riding a merry-go-round. John sat sneaking pictures. Every time I looked up, he was just lolling about.)
to be continued...
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