Travel Buddy

  

Dear Travel Buddy,

 

We squeezed hands on the airplane flying over the ocean toward China and promised each other we'd do this crazy trip together.   And what an adventure we've had.  7 Chinese cities, 5 hotels, planes, trains, boats, vans, taxis and buses.  What a gift it has been to have you with us. 

 

Not going to lie, we waffled big time about bringing you. You have a strong little will and we just weren't sure.  Something in my gut though told me that you would step up.  That you needed this. 

So glad we said yes. 

 

Most importantly, you have been a bridge with your little brother and sister at a time when they were so frightened and so unsure of what was happening.  You've made them laugh, held their hands, pushed a stroller, played with them, taught them to take baths, held them, carried things for them, shared with them and sacrificed for them.  There have been lots of waiting in meetings and airports and you've been so patient. You might have even been there to give a hug to your momma just when she needed one. 

You've seen art, learned history, soaked in culture and been a celebrity everywhere you've gone.  We have hardly done the schoolwork we brought, but we are quite certain the learning has been immense. 



You've really seen China.  We like to be travelers rather than tourists and you've done just that.  You've eaten noodles for breakfast and acquired an appreciation for dumplings. Squatty potties are just part of the fun, right?! (OK, that might be a stretch.) Walking the backstreets of China, seeing real life, has widened you.  Your heart has gone global. 



Your little 6 year old self has walked on the Great Wall and shopped in backstreet markets. 

 We just know that you are forever changed.  Walking the halls of an orphanage and holding fragile little ones at Heartbridge will do just that.  Our late night conversations about birth parents, abandonment and all things China have been evidence of your heart change. 

It seems as though you might have grown up a couple years during these four weeks.  We've had our tears and our grumpy and tired moments, but I think they are part of it, don't you?  We are so far from perfect, my girl.  Remember that our hearts fail, but God never ever does...no matter where He takes you.  This wild ride together falls among our favorite memories with you. 

 

So proud and love you more,

Mommy and Daddy

Doing DC

Dear DC,

     You are already missed.  Our one chilly day with you was memory packed. 

Two little girls saw history in a new way as they walked past the Washington Monument,

waved to the president outside his gate,

and looked up in awe at Abraham Lincoln. 

Thanks for the miles walked and the food truck hot chocolate. 

Your train system is all kinds of handy. 


And Famous Luigi's?  We are ranking it as some of the best Italian ever!

 

We drove away filled up with history, with a new spark of patriotism and tired from walking our coat clad booties off.  See you again soon.

 

Love,

4 Lovers of the Road

Vietnam War Memorial

We love this memorial.  So powerfully simple. 

Such a neat thing to see it lined with wreaths,


and decorated with a Christmas tree filled with ornaments honoring the fallen.

Loved showing the girls how you can see your reflection in it,

and how each panel is filled with names that are meant to be traced with fingers. 

 

Special thanks to the Vietnam vet volunteering that afternoon for his service and for his willingness to point out the name of a female soldier to our littles. 

 

"Are they dead that yet speak louder than we can speak, and a more universal language? Are they dead that yet act? Are they dead that yet move upon society and inspire the people with nobler motives and more heroic patriotism?" ~Henry Ward Beecher

World War II Memorial

The World War II memorial is a serene spot to remember. 

One extra calm little traveler saw it all from the comfort of a stroller as she munched on an apple.  She had fun, but could simply not be bothered by photography. 

(So Claire, when you read this someday, understand why your sister is in 75% more pics than you!)

Loved taking in the sights with these two sweeties. 

Subway Rats

One of the most fun parts of travel with littles is thrilling them with new experiences.  The Metro in DC was the big excitement of this trip.

They were in awe of the giant escalators,

the maps,

and the subway shooting through tunnels.

Choosing your own seat and sliding doors took it over the top!

.

Road Tripping Tips for the Littles

So how did we survive the 13+ hour road trip

with a two year old and a three year old? 
By thinking ahead and stealing ideas from blogs. 

Mark and I do a whole lot of travelling,
for work and family. 

Throw in two raging cases of wanderlust,

and that puts us on the road often.   
Planning ahead to keep the littles occupied is an
art that we are working on mastering. 

Because I love when people share ideas,
here is what we pack:

hard clipboards with coloring sheets and crayons in them
(Is it just me, or does she have crazy talent with those sweet toes?)

"I Spy" bottles. 
These are bottles filled with rice and
lots of fun animals and objects to find. 
I used buttons that were on clearance at the craft store. 
We just ask, "Can you find the turtle?" 
Some people take a picture of all the objects
before putting them in and then tie the pic on with a string. 

Magnet books.  Love 'em!  Sophia will spend hours pretending and creating stories with these. 
They are also perfecto for restaurants. 

Color Wonder books and markers. 
Fun characters & no stains on the carpet. 
Win, win.

Lacing cards. 
Even Claire spent time this past trip "sewing".

Ziploc with sheets of paper and stickers. 
We hand them each one of each and they stick away.

Small dollar store dry erase board,
piece of felt and dry erase crayons
(This was a new addition and the girls loved them.
 I will say that they don't erase easily for kids. 
We had to use wipes. )

books on CD
(favorite children's gift EVER...hint, hint)

For night driving,
we pack a dollar tube of glow sticks.
(Thanks for the idea, Jen!)

We also pack a giant stack of flip books for Claire and library books for Sophia.  Finally, we bring along a couple favorite DVDs, and we sometimes borrow something new.  (Thanks, Ashley, for the stash!)

Except the books and books on CDs,
most of these things stay packed away for travel only.

If you have other ideas, please share!
Can't wait to hit the road again!