Have Toddler Will Travel? Step Three

Have you ever noticed that the way there always feels longer than the way home? This particular trip home, starting out earlier in the day and not squashing myself into the back seat added to that feeling. I can't be sure how Riley perceived the distance on the way home, but a freshly washed car seat and a nicely timed nap may have given her the same impression,



We stopped at a gas station where lumberjack Riley woke up hungry. With a full gas tank (thank you mom for doing all the driving!!) and empty bladders we perused the snacks. Armed with animal crackers and an apple juice with a Mickey Mouse head on it we hit the road again, It's interesting to note that Riley wasn't thrilled about the animal crackers until I explained holding up the little elastic strap "Look Riley, it's a purse." At that point she dropped the sippy she was holding, squealed with excitement, and put on the "cookie purse". Where does she get this super girlie side?



We sang songs and read books all the way home. Riley was so happy to see Daddy and brother she tried to bust through her car seat buckles.  You would have thought we were gone for months watching the joyous reunion.

Every time I think I'm better "enough" to travel back to my past life to see "my family" from before I had this one, I take a short trip like this and realize I'm not.  If a weekend away wrecks me there are no 2,000mile trips in  the near future. This is more crushing a blow because I'm so sick of being here. I'm tired of not going anywhere. Traveling was a big part of the before life and the world shrunk down to an occasional 20min drive from home. The universe is centered around my living room, for now...