Dadalogue on the Road: Day 1

So, I was just standing outside in Flagstaff, Arizona waiting for our dog to pee. There's snow on the ground here. About four inches. I didn't know it snowed in Arizona. That's why I was in flip flops.

Lesson one of traveling cross country in winter: check the weather before leaving. Or at least have a selection of footwear handy and not buried deep inside a fully packed minivan.

I also learned that in Arizona people will do the "Adopt a Highway" program, and instead of promoting their business, they'll put a personal message like "Suzie, I will love u 4ever. - Bill" Who thinks that's romantic?

"Happy anniversary baby! I got you a trash-ridden three-mile stretch of I-10. Now go clean it."

People are weird.

Anywho, we're 500 miles into our trek across America, and so far there's nothing too significant to report. Both kids did well for being cooped up in car seats for 8 hours. Grace was the hardest to handle once we got to the hotel, really. She was full of the energy she couldn't release all day. Everything, especially the phone, was a toy.  She's pulled just about every tissue out of the dispenser. She jumped on the bed. She drew on the takeout menu. Timothy just chilled, as usual.

Tomorrow we'll make it as far as New Mexico. The Wife told me the town, but I forget how she pronounced it.

One final thought: Does anyone else easily get irritated prior to traveling? I know it's something I've got to work on. It must be the stress of making sure the car is packed (it's like playing level 500 on Tetris), nothing is forgotten (something usually is), and the house is properly secured (did we close the garage?) that shortens my fuse. My wife is a patient person to put up with pre-trip Brian. If I had to deal with me, I'd be pretty ticked. Once we're on the road though, I usually calm down.

Well, I'm off to bed. We'll be barreling east down the road early in the morning.

Fueling the Disney obsession

We indulged our daughter's obsession yesterday.

First off, I didn't know people under two could even have obsessions. But, since before she could walk, Grace has been captivated by The Mickey Mouse Clubhouse on TV. I think it started as an innocent way for The Wife to get both hands free for two seconds to get dressed or to do some other necessary chore. That has turned to endless pleas for "Mickey, Mickey ... Miiiiccckkkeeey."

Like me with my morning coffee, my daughter has to watch Mickey Mouse. I'd love to tell you we were better parents and don't let our child watch TV so the coffee we do get to enjoy is hot. I'd love to tell you we are more creative than that. I'd love to tell you Grace's obsession hasn't gone too far.

But I don't like lying.

And yet, we went to Disneyland yesterday. The West Coast mecca of Mickey.

I love going to Disney parks. But this was my favorite trip, by far. To watch a child, even as young as Grace, wide-eyed, taking in the sites and sounds of the "happiest place on Earth" was special. I loved the fact we could let her run around Mickey's house and other areas and get into anything she wanted. I loved her interactions with the other toddlers. And I especially loved watching the moment she got to meet the animated character she's seen on TV for months.

Yes, we didn't do Grace any favors yesterday by taking her to Disneyland. I'm sure we've fueled her obsession until she's 90, but we sure had a lot of fun.

Editor's note: Yes, we do have a son too. Yes, he was there yesterday. He slept the whole time.