Day 4 and we are all still alive. I think we might all still like each other. Staying in the motor home is actually pretty fun. The kids enjoy it and it is a thousand times better than staying at the in-laws house. Maybe a million times better. We have 4 more days between here and our drive home.
We’ve been to a cave, had a crappy dinner and are on our way to go bowling. We assume the bowling alley will be closed because that is how the father-in-law rolls.
The good times continue.
I know there are lots and lots of people out there who drive with their kids to far away destinations. We have not been one of those families until now. The furthest we have driven with the kids is Beverly Shores, Indiana (5.5 hours). We have flown everywhere else we have ever gone further away than that. That is all about to change. Today we leave to embark on our first road trip to Texas. My father-in-law and step-mom-in-law live just north of Austin and we are doing our familial duty of visiting them. It has been over two years since they have seen the kids, aside from Skype. I’ll be honest, I am not looking forward to it. We aren’t driving straight through–partially because Bill and I hate being in the car for a long time and if you know Bill he’s a big guy and sitting for hours on end isn’t easy for him. So we are breaking the trip up and taking 3 days to drive to their house–where we will be sleeping/camping in their RV–and three days to drive home and then are there for 3 nights.
It will be an adventure to say the very least. I promise to post death toll/time-out updates. Driving for 13+ hours just doesn’t sound fun when one has two children who Never. Stop. Talking. Here’s to hoping we all survive.
No matter how much we want to erase the injustices and horrors of the past, we can’t. Changing something on the surface does not change what lies below. I am enraged by the audacity of Alan Gribben, a Twain scholar, to think that the book needs to be “cleansed” of it’s depiction of American racism. Gribben argues (as noted on many a news sites) that the N-word (sorry, I can’t write it–personal feelings, but not being able to personally say it or write it did not keep me from reading Huck Finn) keeps the book from being enjoyed more. So lets make it all nice and pretty. I’m not a Twain scholar, but I do have a BA and MA in English and have studies more than my fair share of American Literature. I’m pretty confident that if Twain had wanted to use the word “slave” instead of the “n-word” that he would have. I am appalled that someone has the hubris to think that they can determine what Twain (or any other author for that matter) intended. I also find it suspect that Gribben is white and that no one of prominence (academic or otherwise) who is African American has called for the removal of the word.
Erasing this word, forever changes the book and it’s powerful impact on Americans and our history. This decision/move can really be used to sum up the problems that exist in this country around issues of race, privilege and oppression. Until we are able to confront racism and privilege (Gribben is operating from a significantly privileged position), we cannot move forward and begin to break down the barriers and institution practices that exist to privilege on group over another. This white-washing of history is done out of a need to self-preserve the status quo and perpetuate the idea that if we don’t talk about race or racism–it doesn’t actually exist. The only (well, one of many) problems with this is that covering up or prettying up history only keeps racism alive and erases the experiences of groups that were once and still are marginalized and under-served.
Gribben misses the mark on this one. What should happen is that Huck Finn should be taught more as it and we should begin to try to have some serious conversations about race. I abhor the N-word. Because I understand the history of that word and what it once stood (can still stand) for. I have taught Huck Finn at most African American high schools and the conversations are always rich. I never make the students read the work–it’s not about saying it but about addressing the issues that the use itself raises both historically and currently. It offers an interesting juxtaposition of current use vs. historical use.
I will certainly not buy this edition and when my children are old enough they will read the original un-cleansed version. If history is ignored it is bound to be repeated.
Noah is in “love.” He has a sweetheart. They already talk about getting married as if it’s a forgone conclusion that when they are “old” (like fourteen) they are going to get married. It is ridiculously adorable. 
They met last year and they have been inseparable since. The above picture is of them holding hands at the halloween parade last year. She is his best friend and they are absolutely adorable together. They help each other with their coats and carry things for each other.
They were both pretty sure that their first playdate (pictured above) was going to be a sleep over. When they found out it wasn’t, they both demanded to know when they could have a sleepover. We just when you are older but not too old.
This school year, their classroom has had to institute new rules because of them–no hand holding, back rubbing, etc. They will sit next to each other and rub each others backs, hold hands and lay their heads on each other’s shoulders. There is already the brewings of a love-triangle. I can’t believe I just wrote that. My son is only 4 (almost 5). There is another little boy in class who likes S. I am sure it’s because she is not such the girly girl and likes to play with the boys–well with Noah really. S went to far as to be honest and tell A that “I don’t think you are handsome. I only think Noah is handsome.” A cried and Noah felt happy that S only thought he was handsome. I can only fear where this will lead in the future, since they will all be in school for many many years together.
Their relationship has blossomed. I love to watch Noah get all shy when S is around. It is so cute. We made picture frames at the holiday party for Noah’s class and Noah made a green one with a heart shape. Over break, he looked at the frame and asked “Mom, do you have any pictures of me and S?”
“yes.”
“Can you print one for me to put in the frame? I want to give it to S.”
He then took the frame down and proceeded to write her name. It was too cute. So I printed out the picture–after much deliberation of which photo to choose. I wanted to do the one from the play date (above) but Noah insisted that he no longer had short hair and so it wasn’t a good picture. He was so excited about giving her the present, but then he got to school. He was all shy and didn’t want anyone else to see it “because it was a private present for S.”
S also had a present for him that she bought for him over break–a key chain that has his name on it. These two are always giving each other presents. It’s adorable and cute and I really hope Noah cherishes…okay so I mean me…these moments as they are so sweet, innocent, and pure.
Oh did I forget to mention that at first he thought it would be funny to use the picture of him wearing only the iron man mask. And when I say only, I do me ONLY. So we had a talk about how it’s not only not appropriate to show any one your privates in person, it is also not appropriate to give anyone (especially a girl) a picture of your privates–just ask Brett Favre how that works out.
Except for at night time (even though I can’t remember the last time Noah peed in his pull-up and Zo’s been pretty good too). It has been about a week now of our little princess using the potty. We spent the last 4 days in underwear with one minor almost accident. She went to the sitters today in underwear. Here’s to hoping she is still wearing them when I pick her up. I hope…Please don’t let her pee all over the floor. That would totally suck. She is excited about being a big girl and must have told everyone she passed at drop-off at Noah’s school that she was wearing underwear. It is pretty cute and OMG–I’m getting a pedicure with January’s pull-up money.
I have been freaking out about her not being out of diapers and I have once again been reminded that the kids will develop at their own pace and when they are ready they are ready. No need to push. She has shown an interest in wearing underwear and going on the potty and she just decided it was time I guess.
Hoping I don’t have to come back and eat crow on this one. Please pull-up fairy!
Embracing Imperfection 