Day-in-the-Life: Travelling
Wow! It's been a looooooooong time since I've blogged. Between finishing up school, working, being a big sister, and a number of other things, I just haven't had the chance to sit down and write. I have a few pieces that I've begun (so you can look forward to those!) but I decided that since I'm sitting in a car, driving through New York (although I will be home when this is posted), it would be a great time for a day-in-the-life post. It might not be super interesting, so I apologize for that.
First, I must start with a little information about Curran Family travelling. Since we have such a large family, air travel is simply too expensive, so we avoid it as often as possible. Nowadays, our travels take us to places like Michigan, Indiana, or Florida, although we occasionally visit other areas. All those places take our family between 15 and 30 hours to drive to. Those things being said, let me take you on the journey of a usual travelling experience in my life.
The night before we leave, most bags are completely packed, and we try to pack the van up as much as possible. Plans are made to leave the house by 5:00 the next morning--- people who really know my family know that's a joke. We always leave later than hoped for.
When the day of travelling arrives, almost everyone in the house is awake and moving around by 5:30 in the morning. (See? Later than planned ;). Final packing is finished, the van loading is completed, showers and other appearance preparations are made, and then the three younger kids are awoken, dressed, and ordered to grab their pillows, blankets, and stuffed animals. After that, everyone waits while the parents finish every necessary thing up. Any time between 6 and 6:30, we leave the house.
Usually, a majority of the group falls asleep for the first two hours, which is fabulous. Afterwards, breakfast, consisting of either cereal, bagels, or donuts, is served. For the next few hours, music or audio books are played over the radio while everyone either listens, reads, writes, plays video games, or sleeps. And an occasional stop is made for gas and other necessities. Occasionally, everyone in the car will begin to "dance" and sing along to VeggieTales, Disney, Phineas and Ferb, or some other fun music. Not as exciting as some would imagine, but it works!
As 2:00 in the afternoon rolls around, we find a place to stop. After walking around for a while, lunch, consisting of cold-cut sandwiches, waters, some fruit, and occasionally vegetables, is served. It's a wonderful time of reprieve from the vehicle, but it seems too short, and soon the entire family returns back to the van. The next hour continues just like the previous ones.
3:00 brings the much appreciated quiet, or "nap", time, and at 4:00 snacks are served. It's perfect, right? Make them sleep then load them with sugar. I think we need to reconsider that system.
Anyway! The same system of entertainment from the morning continues until about 7:00. At that time, we play Mafia, charades or Head's Up on an iPod, or some other game. Those times keep the kids occupied, and the adults can actually listen to what they want or hold a conversation. The older kids generally "host" these game times, and it's super fun. That time can continue for up to 3 hours, which leaves only the final leg of that day's drive.
During the final leg, one or all of three things occurs. On a trip from home, people will either sleep or listen to an audio book or music. On a trip back home, sleeping and listening to radio also happens, but it is typical of the boys (Andrew especially) to break into a very interesting song once we enter Massachusetts. They make it up as they go, and it usually varies greatly, but it provides endless entertainment. Here are two lines that never change....
"You can't light a fire without matches.... without matches.... oh matches."
"You can't know the temperature without a thermometer..... without a thermometer.... oh a thermometer."
If you ever get the chance, ask him to sing a few lines for you. It's worth it, I promise!!
So after that entertainment, we are either at home, at a hotel (if we are going to FL), or only have a short distance left in the trip, in which we just chill.
There you go! A day of travelling in my family. It has its challenges--- we get on each other's nerves sometimes, and exhaustion sets in rapidly--- but also its joys in the laughs and special family time.
Currently, it is 9:05 at night. I have been writing off and on for two hours, and we are finally in MA. We are listening to Animal Farm on the radio, but I have a feeling Andrew will begin his singing soon. So now, I must sign off and fulfil my duties as the big sister/pillow/organizer. (Again, I apologize if this post seems boring... better ones are coming!!) Have a great night/day everyone!!!
First, I must start with a little information about Curran Family travelling. Since we have such a large family, air travel is simply too expensive, so we avoid it as often as possible. Nowadays, our travels take us to places like Michigan, Indiana, or Florida, although we occasionally visit other areas. All those places take our family between 15 and 30 hours to drive to. Those things being said, let me take you on the journey of a usual travelling experience in my life.
The night before we leave, most bags are completely packed, and we try to pack the van up as much as possible. Plans are made to leave the house by 5:00 the next morning--- people who really know my family know that's a joke. We always leave later than hoped for.
When the day of travelling arrives, almost everyone in the house is awake and moving around by 5:30 in the morning. (See? Later than planned ;). Final packing is finished, the van loading is completed, showers and other appearance preparations are made, and then the three younger kids are awoken, dressed, and ordered to grab their pillows, blankets, and stuffed animals. After that, everyone waits while the parents finish every necessary thing up. Any time between 6 and 6:30, we leave the house.
Usually, a majority of the group falls asleep for the first two hours, which is fabulous. Afterwards, breakfast, consisting of either cereal, bagels, or donuts, is served. For the next few hours, music or audio books are played over the radio while everyone either listens, reads, writes, plays video games, or sleeps. And an occasional stop is made for gas and other necessities. Occasionally, everyone in the car will begin to "dance" and sing along to VeggieTales, Disney, Phineas and Ferb, or some other fun music. Not as exciting as some would imagine, but it works!
As 2:00 in the afternoon rolls around, we find a place to stop. After walking around for a while, lunch, consisting of cold-cut sandwiches, waters, some fruit, and occasionally vegetables, is served. It's a wonderful time of reprieve from the vehicle, but it seems too short, and soon the entire family returns back to the van. The next hour continues just like the previous ones.
3:00 brings the much appreciated quiet, or "nap", time, and at 4:00 snacks are served. It's perfect, right? Make them sleep then load them with sugar. I think we need to reconsider that system.
Anyway! The same system of entertainment from the morning continues until about 7:00. At that time, we play Mafia, charades or Head's Up on an iPod, or some other game. Those times keep the kids occupied, and the adults can actually listen to what they want or hold a conversation. The older kids generally "host" these game times, and it's super fun. That time can continue for up to 3 hours, which leaves only the final leg of that day's drive.
During the final leg, one or all of three things occurs. On a trip from home, people will either sleep or listen to an audio book or music. On a trip back home, sleeping and listening to radio also happens, but it is typical of the boys (Andrew especially) to break into a very interesting song once we enter Massachusetts. They make it up as they go, and it usually varies greatly, but it provides endless entertainment. Here are two lines that never change....
"You can't light a fire without matches.... without matches.... oh matches."
"You can't know the temperature without a thermometer..... without a thermometer.... oh a thermometer."
If you ever get the chance, ask him to sing a few lines for you. It's worth it, I promise!!
So after that entertainment, we are either at home, at a hotel (if we are going to FL), or only have a short distance left in the trip, in which we just chill.
There you go! A day of travelling in my family. It has its challenges--- we get on each other's nerves sometimes, and exhaustion sets in rapidly--- but also its joys in the laughs and special family time.
Currently, it is 9:05 at night. I have been writing off and on for two hours, and we are finally in MA. We are listening to Animal Farm on the radio, but I have a feeling Andrew will begin his singing soon. So now, I must sign off and fulfil my duties as the big sister/pillow/organizer. (Again, I apologize if this post seems boring... better ones are coming!!) Have a great night/day everyone!!!
*If you have any topic you want to see me write about, feel free to leave it in the comments*
Comments
Post a Comment