It's the journey, not the destination

Kids don't give a damn, let alone five damns, about where they are going. It's how freakin' loud and annoying you can be on the way that counts. This sofa of the next generation was the preferred method of trainsport to this morning's pajama party. No, transport was not misspelled; I put that in there just for Patrick. He's the cute little train freak wearing red pajamas with, holy surprise, TRAINS all over them. Imagine that.

To get everyone primed for today's BIG TRIP, I shovelled bowl after bowl of Cap'n Crunch's Crunch Berries down their greedy little mouths until a glossy eyed Patrick began shaking uncontrollably and David tried to eat the cat. Luckily, Gizma is a veteran pro and just hissed the silly little human away.

It took the Breakfast Club 25 minutes to put on shoes, snowpants, scarves, hats, earmuffs, coats, and chapstick to finally be ready to brave the cold. The moment we opened the front door was, of course, when Peter decided that he needed to pee. What??!! What the hell happened to 'I don't need to go' which was your answer BOTH times I asked you before we started wrapping you up like a mummy?

I thought about telling Peter to just go, but he has taken to ratting on David lately and the chances were high that he might run into the living room and ask Mama first. Yes, the living room. The nice, warm living room, with the fresh pot of hot coffee. Oh, did I forget to mention that Mama would not be joining us on our BIG TRIP?

We eventually made it outside and the kids were bubbling over with excitement. Even though they had no idea where we were going, nor had they asked, I could tell the suspense was killing them so I finally told them. We are going to the BANK, followed by a side trip to the POST OFFICE. Yeah! Doesn't that sound fun? Whoooooo! Who's your uncle?

The boys did not catch any of it, though. They were already halfway down the street playing tag and a game of 'I'm going to knock you down and laugh in your face' that David was trying to teach Patrick. Judging by the tears, Patrick did not quite understand the game yet.

To cheer Patrick up, I took everyone on a streetcar, only I called it a 'train'. That worked.


We only went one stop on the 'train', mainly because the other passengers looked ready to mob us if we did not get off immediately. We jumped rails and found a nice cafe that served screaming kids. We ordered a hot chocolate for the boys, prompting the waiter to give me the 'I think they've had enough' look. I told him it was ok, I was driving. Now shut up and line 'em up, barkeep. And give me a double.

After de-thawing long enough to feel my toes tingling again, we packed up and made our way back. Yes, we took the 'train' back home. Yes, David tried teaching Patrick another new game on the way home. Yes, Patrick had problems understanding David's strange rules. Yes, the boys enjoyed our BIG TRIP. And yes, it most certainly the journey and not the destination.
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Ladder Talk:
1) What was the best part of your day?
Peter: When I found a new sleeping hat and when we played green light, red light in the snow with Aunt Christine.
David: When we play with Patrick play-doh.

2) What was the worst part of your day?
Peter: When David was fighting with me over the chair.
David: When I cry 'cause I a baby.

3) What would you like to do tomorrow?
Peter: To play the wild game.
David: When Patrick come again.