Being Away

We've just come off a roller coaster of end-of-school activities and a road trip to Southern California and back. After days of being off schedule and waking up in new places and seeing people not in his usual routine, James is settling into his last summer preschool session for this month.

I could tell that James both liked the change-up and missed his comfort zones. I think it's good to keep stretching him a bit so he doesn't get used to a set routine, group of people, and environment.

The long car trips were tough for him, but he hung in there, happy to travel (and fight) with his sister. He loved all four of us together in one hotel room, but missed sleeping in his own bed at night. Because James rolls off a regular bed (he's quite the physical sleeper) I've resorted to putting his old crib mattress on a picnic blanket on the floor of the hotel room and letting him sleep there with his beloved blankies. The good side of picky eaters is that there are few foods to pack and store, and they eat from our stash for almost the entire trip.

For an entire day he was on his own with his Dad. It was a Learning Experience (or 10) for them both. He got to reconnect with cousins, aunts, and his Grandpa. I could tell when he was getting tired, but he still faced every situation with a smile. Unless it was a trip to the bathroom that he did not instigate. Can't win them all, I guess. But hey! His potty training held firm. I was so proud of him (and relieved; last trip south we took was when he started holding everything in).

He got to walk, watch skateboarders, run & play at the beach, and explore new things. His face lit up with a wonderful expression when we got home late one night and he saw his own bed, waiting just for him.