I had a little debriefing session with the kids and Chris after we had been home for a couple days. We talked about what we liked best and what we didn't like at each of our travel destinations (South Dakota, Colorado Springs, and NW Arkansas). Their answers were so amusing that I decided to make notes so I could write this blog later. And now here I am -- writing this blog. Good for me!
So now, without further ado (except to say that I did NOT influence or prompt any of these answers), here's a quick "highs and lows" synopsis of our travels.
SOUTH DAKOTA
Chris' favorite part: the slower pace and being able to set a nice daily routine
Chris' least favorite part: some frustrations that I won't detail on here
Stefanie's favorite part: the big storms and the screened porch (with the lake view!)
Stefanie's least favorite part: living in someone else's house and trying to keep 3 little tornadoes from permanently destroying anything
Flora's favorite part: the three boat rides
Flora's least favorite part: getting her first bee sting
Scout's favorite part: the trains, the bunk beds, and the boat rides
Scout's least favorite part: the loud train whistle
Timber's favorite part: BA
Timber's least favorite part: DOH
COLORADO SPRINGS (with Granny, Grandpa, Uncle Nate, Aunt Mel, Uncle Shane, Aunt Joy, and cousins Callie, Elliott, Toby, and William)
Chris' favorite part: fishing with his dad
Chris' least favorite part: the busyness of trying to fit so much into one visit
Stefanie's favorite part: fun evenings with Nate and Mel after the kids went to bed
Steanie's least favorite part: trying to get the kids (mainly Timber) to eat dinner
Flora's favorite part: going to the ice cream shop, playing with Callie & Ellie, and feeding the fish
Flora's least favorite part: Timber splashing too much in the pond
Scout's favorite part: fish, Granny, Grandpa, William, and the cars
Scout's least favorite part: when Aunt Mel asked if he wanted braids in his hair too (HA!!)
Timber's favorite part: MA
Timber's least favorite part: OY
ARKANSAS (at a lake house with Poppy, Gigi, Uncle Bryan, Aunt Sara, and Uncle Shane)
Chris' favorite part: getting to spend time with Bryan and Shane while they fished
Chris' least favorite part: feeling ready to go home near the end of the week
Stefanie's favorite part: sitting by the lake (WITHOUT kids) and getting to meet cousin Waylon
Stefanie's least favorite part: Timber. Lunch. Dinner. GRRRRR!!!!
Flora's favorite part: swimming at the sand beach, waves, and puzzles
Flora's least favorite part: she did NOT like playing the matching game with Bryan and Amanda when she was on the red team -- only when she was on the blue team (???)
Scout's favorite part: the lake, playing with toys in the waves, and Poppy & Gigi
Scout's least favorite part: "I did NOT like the orange cucumbers!" (HAHAHA!!!!)
Timber's favorite part: UHN
Timber's least favorite part: NO-NO
HOME!!!
Chris' favorite part: I don't know bc I asked the kids this question after he had left.....I would guess that he really enjoys being able to cook his elaborate meals in his own large(ish) fully-stocked kitchen.
Stefanie's favorite part: Fenced yard, dishwasher, and garbage disposal!! (the garbage disposal quit working the first day we were back. Chris immediately went to Lowes for a new one)
Flora's favorite part: seeing her sleeping bag and sleeping in her own room
Flora's least favorite part: the long drive
Scout's favorite part: the toys in the backyard
Scout's least favorite part: the long drive
Timber's favorite part: DA
These kids are AWESOME. They were good travelers and adjusted quickly and easily to every place we went. All our traveling has left an impression on Scout though -- every time we get in the car to go somewhere he asks if it's far away (TOO much driving!!!) and when we get in the car to go back home he asks if we are going "to our own home or to Poppy and Gigi's house or to the lake cabin or to Granny and Grandpa's house or to our vacation home." Haha, poor kid. Hopefully he'll realize soon that we're home for good.
Don't be hurt if you weren't mentioned in the "favorite parts" section (or if you WERE mentioned in the "least favorite parts" section!!!). They had so many fun times and made tons of great memories -- I had to keep pressing to get ANY "least favorite part" answers from them (except for the orange cucumbers -- Scout was pretty adamant about disliking those!!). These were just the first to come to mind at the time. I'm sure I would get totally different answers if I asked again today.
Fun, fun times! But again, it's VERY nice to be HOME!!
