By the time we reach Rapid City, it is dumping rain. Scott runs the local Boys Club, so we are meeting up there. The girls realize we are going to a Boys Club and are thinking they aren’t even supposed to be there. We walk in and you can just smell the testosterone in the air. It’s raining so everyone is inside and there are about a million different things going on. Our children move in closer to us. Jack’s eyes light up. Boys, everywhere! What a cool place! We’re introduced to Tommy (14), Joseph (10) and Jonathan (8) and they show us around.
From there, we go to the Children’s Science Museum. We’re sort of breaking the ice, getting to know each other when Scott leans over and says, “I think Jack had an accident.” Typically, an accident is more of an “oops, I forgot” sort of thing. I’m asking Dave to take him to the potty, when I realize there is an entire lake below him. Nice. Nothing like bodily functions to break the ice. Meanwhile, Carter is in the toddler room tasting all of the toys. He is thrilled to have so much space to roam about in. In the motorhome, his primary amusement is to try to figure out how to get out the door. He’s on to how the locks work, if he could only lift that big heavy handle, he’d be home free.
The kids are still a bit apprehensive of each other, yet enjoy scoping out the rest of the museum together. We head out for pizza afterward, which is when the kids totally click. Isn’t it always food that brings people together? The mood changes from giddy to downright slaphappy. Meanwhile, at our end of the table, Jack is on meltdown. He falls asleep on Dave and pees all over Dave’s lap. I hadn’t planned on Dave having an accident too and I’m all out of clothing. After all, we’re used to traveling with a 40 foot diaper bag with us at all times.
We head to the Bader’s home for dessert, wet pants and all. I’ve known Margaret for a full 4 hours before she is doing my children’s laundry. The kids disappear downstairs and before long you hear nothing but giggles and karaoke. Tate provides another rendition of Juffalo the Buffalo as I think how glad I am that our grown up hosts can’t hear all the buffalo chip lyrics, as they are much for fitting for the 8 year old crowd. I hear Jon break out into “You lost that lovin’ feeeeeling”. I would say they have bonded. It’s so cool to connect with family!
Margaret brings out this insanely beautiful cake that looks like a gift and the crowd goes wild. We sip cups of delicious coffee while the kids play monopoly in the dining room. We’re remarking on how rich the cake is when Jack, who has just been an overtired grump the whole evening strolls in with a clean plate and announces to Margaret that he will, indeed, have more. At first I think, there is no way, but when Jon offers up the rest of his, I say sure. This is the nicest he has been all night. Let him eat cake! He follows that with about 10 fresh strawberries, so we figure he’s had his fruit serving as well.
The sugar rush kicks in and before we know it, Jack has a light saber and is swinging it wildly in the living room. It is time to go. We say our goodbyes, though I think the kids could have partied for another hour or so. Scott and Margaret have been wonderful hosts and we’re sad to say goodbye. They send the kids off with a bag full of toys and games they’ve bought for them, which is about the most thoughtful thing ever. On the drive home, I think…yikes…I hope the kids didn’t trash the downstairs! It’s still dumping rain as Dave squints to see the road. I look back in the minivan and see 4 crashed out kids. It has been a very good day.
From there, we go to the Children’s Science Museum. We’re sort of breaking the ice, getting to know each other when Scott leans over and says, “I think Jack had an accident.” Typically, an accident is more of an “oops, I forgot” sort of thing. I’m asking Dave to take him to the potty, when I realize there is an entire lake below him. Nice. Nothing like bodily functions to break the ice. Meanwhile, Carter is in the toddler room tasting all of the toys. He is thrilled to have so much space to roam about in. In the motorhome, his primary amusement is to try to figure out how to get out the door. He’s on to how the locks work, if he could only lift that big heavy handle, he’d be home free.
The kids are still a bit apprehensive of each other, yet enjoy scoping out the rest of the museum together. We head out for pizza afterward, which is when the kids totally click. Isn’t it always food that brings people together? The mood changes from giddy to downright slaphappy. Meanwhile, at our end of the table, Jack is on meltdown. He falls asleep on Dave and pees all over Dave’s lap. I hadn’t planned on Dave having an accident too and I’m all out of clothing. After all, we’re used to traveling with a 40 foot diaper bag with us at all times.
We head to the Bader’s home for dessert, wet pants and all. I’ve known Margaret for a full 4 hours before she is doing my children’s laundry. The kids disappear downstairs and before long you hear nothing but giggles and karaoke. Tate provides another rendition of Juffalo the Buffalo as I think how glad I am that our grown up hosts can’t hear all the buffalo chip lyrics, as they are much for fitting for the 8 year old crowd. I hear Jon break out into “You lost that lovin’ feeeeeling”. I would say they have bonded. It’s so cool to connect with family!
Margaret brings out this insanely beautiful cake that looks like a gift and the crowd goes wild. We sip cups of delicious coffee while the kids play monopoly in the dining room. We’re remarking on how rich the cake is when Jack, who has just been an overtired grump the whole evening strolls in with a clean plate and announces to Margaret that he will, indeed, have more. At first I think, there is no way, but when Jon offers up the rest of his, I say sure. This is the nicest he has been all night. Let him eat cake! He follows that with about 10 fresh strawberries, so we figure he’s had his fruit serving as well.
The sugar rush kicks in and before we know it, Jack has a light saber and is swinging it wildly in the living room. It is time to go. We say our goodbyes, though I think the kids could have partied for another hour or so. Scott and Margaret have been wonderful hosts and we’re sad to say goodbye. They send the kids off with a bag full of toys and games they’ve bought for them, which is about the most thoughtful thing ever. On the drive home, I think…yikes…I hope the kids didn’t trash the downstairs! It’s still dumping rain as Dave squints to see the road. I look back in the minivan and see 4 crashed out kids. It has been a very good day.
1 comment:
Skogebos:
WOW!!! What a trip you are having....it will one of those lifetime memories that you are etching into your kids little brains. Can't wait to you get to Yellowstone - never have been there but I hear it is beautiful. It is still pretty pleasant here - I've opened the windows the last two nights and shut off the air. It was only 98 yesterday and expected to be 101 today. Still not bad for June - I'm sure when you get home it will be hotter just for you. Tell Hannah that Michael didn't go to Tatum Foster's party even though Tyler Hilton went. However, he did say that he would have gone if Hannah would have gone. Love that loyalty of friends :)
XO,
Cindy & the Thurber boys and 3 dogs (yes, we now have Kim & Annie's dog here for the next 5 days)
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