Bound for Michigan!

T minus 2 days and counting until we leave for the train bound for Michigan.

That's all Eden & Lars have talked about today. The snacks they're going to eat on the train (goldfish, mostly), the movie they're going to watch on the ride to the station at Ft. Morgan (Cars), the blankets and pillows they're going to use to sleep on the train floor, the fact that Daddy is coming this time and, since neither of them remember ever traveling with him by train, all the things he's going to see out the window for the first time. They are excited to show him the lobby car, where you "can bring crayons and coloring books and use the tables to color on and look out the big windows!" Both are concerned with the loud whistle while we wait for the train on the platform and have asked for their race track ear muffs again. Eden will not forgive me for forgetting hers on the last trip.

Thanks to loveable Kalli, they have a new used CD player and case to hold CDs. I picked up two pair of headphones at Wal-mart Thursday and they've been lying on Eden's bed, listening to music for 2 days. Which I'd have discovered something like that at the beginning of the summer! But this is perfect timing, and it's already packed in the kids backpack.

I pulled out the suitcase yesterday and opened it up on the guest bed. Within an hour, Lars packed all his John Deere tractors, John Deere books, Cars stuff, Little Tigger and a large rock in it. Eden, feeling left out, came in with her array of items to go to Grandma's house, along with a few toys & diapers for Elia.

Though I'm not fluent in Yiddish, I can say "Oy vey"!

After UNPACKING the suitcase and kicking the kids out of the room, I managed to fit all three kids clothes in it, with room to spare. The Girl Scout in me said, "Bring an empty suitcase, always be prepared". So, I'm bringing along another suitcase so I can go cloths shopping with my sisters while I'm there.

Though it's going to be a short trip home, it'll be packed with fun times and filled with memories. We've got a couple family parties planned, and two nights at a B&B. I've got a few restaurants on the radar that I like to hit every time I'm home. I'm anxious to see 50 of my high school classmates, most of whom I've not seen in 15 years. I'm excited to have my kids home with their cousins, romping around and getting to know each other. Elia will be walking all over the place by the time we get there. I'm looking forward to spending time sitting on the couch, talking to Mom about nothing important, or being outside in the garden with Dad. It's going to be a good time and a perfect way to end our summer.

T minus 2 days and counting....