You want to know what's a great idea? Start blogging again after a break and then, a few days later, leave town for two weeks.
Several days ago, the chicks and I returned from our yearly Michigan trip (2010, 2011). We go to visit family and friends, given that it's my homeland and all, but it's also our "vacation," as it were. This year we packed in more excursions than ever before. It was extremely fun and, of course, a bit tiring.
After some deliberation, I decided that we'd take the train to Windsor, Ontario and have my dad pick us up and take us across the river to the far-reaching suburbs of Detroit, where I grew up. We've been car-free for a year and a half, but we've rented cars for most of our recent excursions. I had taken the train with the girls once before, three summers ago. At the time, Ninna was three and Bojey was one. That, my friends, was utter insanity. It's a twelve hour train ride from Montreal to Windsor; I think that detail will suffice.
So this year, after we got ourselves settled on the train, I congratulated myself with a few mental rounds of "WOW, MY LIFE IS SO EASY NOW!! SIX AND FOUR!! SO EASY!!"
And it was, sort of. Things went relatively smoothly, but most any human will start to get agitated by nine or ten hours in a train. The girls had a bit of a rough period around our normal dinner time, and then things settled down again.
The other passengers were patient and tolerant, and all co-passenger relations went quite smoothly until the little...snag. Bojey, upon hearing an older woman next to us laugh, shouted at full volume, "HUH? I just heard a witch laughing!!"
To which Ninna replied "Oh, was it that 'haaahahaha' that just happened? I heard it too!!"
Followed by silence.
Pure silence.
I could tell from the expression on her face, which I caught from the most minute tiny corner of my eye, that the woman was wholly displeased. But what could I do? Bojey was right--she did sound a lot like a witch. I couldn't scold the kids for being honest, so I changed the subject and made sure not to turn my head the slightest bit in her direction for the rest of the trip.
And then we arrived in Windsor, parted ways with the witch, and started our long and adventurous trip.
6 comments:
Sounds like that was an adventure in itself! Can't wait to read more and sorry we missed you this time! At least I can keep up through your blog! <3
Twelve hours on the train! you have done the entire Montreal to Windsor Corridor! Looking forward to hearing more about your holiday!
I love that you are brave enough to take your girls on trips like this! I need some of your courage...
Your girls are looking so grown-up!
That's awesome that you took the train, actually anything you do as a single mom seems pretty awesome and impressive. Glad to see the blog back in effect!
Hilarious! We took the kids to Colorado (from Maine) on the train when they were six and two (and two). Somewhere around 48 hours on the train. The person who had the hardest time with it was my husband. I thought it was a fun adventure!
Laura--I know--it was so hard to see everyone!
KJ--yep. I realized about 1/4 of the way there that most people get off and on at some point along the corridor--we were some of the few people going the whole way :).
Maryanne--I know, they are looking so grown up! I can't believe it.
Rachel--Thanks!
Andrea--OK, you are far braver than I. The added adult can't possibly make up for A. two 2 year olds, and B. 48 hours. Wow. The next time I'm waffling on something like this, I'm going to remind myself of your bravery.
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