Sowf Care-whine-a

Six states, 100 Bottles of Beer on the Wall, 5 stops at Burger King for treats (our solution to the toddler who won't sit still was to actually feed her sugar, makes sense right?)and 2 seasons later (yes, we watched the seasons change during the drive!), we made it!!! WHEW!!! In the first few minutes of driving, Braden and I looked at each other and wondered if we were out of our minds-- the cat was whining, Bela was bawlimg, and Emma was meowing back at the cat and laughing hysterically. This was pretty much how the trip went. By the time we made it to Mineral Wells, West Virginia (the halfway point), we were all too eager to get into our suite hotel room (we splurged to prevent the toddler from thinking it was playtime all night). Right, did they say suite? Try a 15" wall that "divides" the couch from the rest of the room. Ah well, consider us even- we snuck our cat in for the night (those "pet friendly" ones are always gross!). Day two went about as well as day one, but a much prettier drive through the mountains and foothills. Did I mention I was sicker than a DOG and had no voice? I'm still actually getting over that cold! Anyways, we stopped at a truck stop and, while I fed Bela, Emma came barrelling up to me with a collection of these giant jelly looking balls which her daddy had won in the claw game. She was so proud, throwing them all over the place! What a sight she was (along with her spaghetti-stained face). Seriously who actually orders the spaghetti on a children's menu?! I guess just us fools. But at least we did have a dvd player on day two (we blew a fuse on day one, so no moobies for emma- hence, 100 bottles of beer!). Too bad she couldn't listen though, and she quickly lost her movie privelages. So, back to singing songs and lots of whining :)
Somehow we made it. And Emma was thrilled to be in "Sowf Care-whine-a" since she had been begging to "play bikes" (we had our bikes on a rack on the back of the car) and we had told her we could not until we got to South Carolina. First thing she said was "play bikes" of course. Why does she have such a good memory? So I guess we'll have to start tricycle shopping for her birthday since she continues to ask to "play bikes".
Luckily the bunny found us as well. Emma and Bela got a princess shower curtain and sippees, some clothes, a few treats, and swim diapers! Woohoo!
We were a little spoiled (okay a lot) by grandma and grandpa for the three days we spent over there before the long drive. Emma is still asking for them and thinks every door opening is one of them. We miss them like crazy!
Funny story- we have a poor unfortunate couple living below us (thank God they are nice and patient!). Emma was scared of their noises- hammering and drilling one day- so I told her that Bob the Builder was down there fixing things. That bit me in the butt because she now wants to play with him every day.
More continued later (Emma just got home from the store!)