Home Again, Home Again

Whew!  We made it back home.  If anyone wonders how in the world you travel with 4 kids cross country here are 3 quick tips:
Night driving has less stops.  Depending on the ages of our kids this has worked really well for us.  The driver listens to books on tape, rotating drivers every 3 hours or so.

DVD players.  Sure, we didn’t have them as kids, but we didn’t have carseats either.  However, we’ve learned that movies have to be limited to 1 DVD to every 3 hours of awake time (aka 1 movie between stops) otherwise the DVD somehow loses its power to silence the van.

Glow sticks.  Seriously, I don’t know why I never thought of it before, but glow sticks from the dollar store saved our sanity on multiple occasions. 

I’m so glad that we actually got the house clean before we left.  I’m so very tired as Knut is still sleeping and the kids are now awake.  I have so much to do, blogging shouldn’t be at the top of my list.  However, when one is sleepy and tired and sore, blogging while sipping coffee seems to fit the bill.

I need to pick up Lena, drop off my cowl at the yarn shop for display for their upcoming class on it.  I need to get some groceries as our fridge is empty, and it would be good to start a batch of bread.  Knut’s sister delivered a sweet little boy while we were traveling, so it might be good to stop and see our new little nephew as well. 

Knut is sleeping now, but as soon as he wakes up I plan to replace him as the parent napping today.  A nap is on the top of my list.  We’ll empty the van today but I don’t intend to battle with the suitcases until tomorrow.  In fact, I was thinking about having Silje unpack the suitcases, as I bet she can do it.  Then I’ll deal with the dozens of other little bags and toys that seem to fall out of our van right now whenever any door is opened.

Solveig didn’t go down for nap this morning, little stinker.  At least she’s happy and playing nicely.

I’m waiting for a good wood fire to warm up this house as the traditional furnace isn’t cutting it for me.  I don’t intend to fill the wood box, and am patiently waiting for Knut to wake up and do it.  I should say hi to the chickens sometime this morning too.

I’ve been sitting here with the kids this morning, reading Christmas letters to them that have piled up here, and showing them pictures of people they know, and some they don’t know.  My Christmas letter will be late this year.  Obviously.

It was fun to go.  It’s so good to be home.