June 3rd - Back to the HC!

June 3rd
We left Raleigh at 6:45a.m. It was easier to pack up and load than I’d anticipated. I did most of it before the kids woke up! They were very slow to rise this morning (as opposed to when I want to sleep in). We hit the road without breakfast because I really wanted to beat the morning traffic. It was an easy drive up to Richmond – with the exception of an unnecessary shriek from Audrey just south of Richmond that so startled me…I swerved. That bought her a one-way ticket to the back seat. And then the bickering continued over what they were going to watch…so I declared no DVDs for the remainder of the day. That wasn’t smart because then they loudly entertained themselves for the remaining 2 ½ hours….droning out Mrs. Bush’s monotone voice (listening to her autobiography). That was kind of okay as she was droning on about Katrina (although her 9/11 chapters were pretty powerful…made me cry and momentarily rethink my DC destination).
Anyway…we got to Howard County Maryland in just over 5 hours. It is as pretty as ever. It’s hard to believe that 5 short/long years ago this was our home. At the hotel, the Front Desk Supervisor took pity on me (after seeing the kids and our mountain of luggage) and upgraded us to a bigger room…he also helped with the luggage, how sweet was that? Shout out to Big A for hooking us up. The Columbia Sheraton is beautiful and has had a face lift since we last saw it. Also…the kids discovered the wonders of room service. They were too cute, “pretending” that our room was a restaurant. After which, they were FINALLY rewarded with a trip to the hotel pool!
We got to see lots of people from our Maryland lives who were key to getting the boys on their respective paths. Mary, Sean, Linda, Debbie, & Beth…we will always be grateful. Maxine & Frank David, thank you for all the respite.
The kids had a rough day. Audrey was out of control…truly a pain-in-the-you-know what. She was a smart-mouthed and a show off, she also didn’t listen and was mean to all three boys. I fell like sending her back with Rich (but of course, won't). Hunter decided to leave the pool area and go to the restroom…fine, but he didn’t tell me. Barrett got over-whelmed at Clyde’s (a restaurant that was over-crowded and loud) and dropped to the ground. Finally, Camden pitched a 5-alarm fit when I didn’t get him ice cream. Currently, no one’s really talking to anyone! (This is fine with me.)
Silly Band Award…no one!
Raleigh to Howard County’ 308 miles/5 ½ hours
Quotes of the day:
Cammy - “No more car!”, Screamed when he awoke from his nap and we were stuck on the Washington Beltway.
Audrey - “I wish we still lived here, I really like that boy at the play gym, he was cute." Mommy replied, “Audrey, there are cute boys everywhere.” Audrey, “You’re right, because I kind of think ALL boys are cute!”