Doesn't it look like they are hatching a heck of a plan? I think I might hatch a plan for a quick weekend up north next week. We would swoop in Friday and return Sunday. This much driving is hell on my hands, shoulders, and neck. But the kids are only young once. I like the dynamic of going up there with them without my niece. There is a lot less stress and arguing.

Something about adding her to the mix makes things a little more difficult. I think this is because her parents rules can be more relaxed than mine. She is not the type of kid to jump off the roof -- my kids are! You have to be a ton more cautious when your kids are daredevils. My niece (and now it seems my nephew too) is a more cerebral type. She has caution built in. She never adventured out the furthest into the lake -- she lets others lead and if they survive she ventures out. My son and daughter lead the way and are more likely to be hospitalized as a result.

I'd take the adventure side over the caution side if I had to pick a way for my kids to be. I think they will enjoy life a lot more than I might have at their age. I've been both ways in my life -- I have a hell of a lot more fun when I seek adventure. So next weekend we will seek adventure and I will be achy after -- so be it. I'll take the memories and good times and worry about the aches and pain later.

Today is rough due to all the driving this past week (it was 4 hours each way driving up north and yesterday my work required 2 hours driving each way). My hands are bad, but I'm happy to type and get my thoughts out of my head. Somehow it brings me calm and peace. I've got the stereo blasting and I'm even considering cleaning up the house a bit. You know it is time when you can't find anything!

May we all have wonderful weekend adventures.

Additional thought -- do I really need to title my blog entries? I gave it up when my Mom was sick since every entry seemed to be an update on her condition and how it was impacting us all. Now my blog isn't so heavy... maybe I should be a normal blogger and title my entries. Hmmmm..... Any comments on this (or anything else) would be welcome :-)