Mel's Musings: Petit Jean 2008

For those that don't know what Petit Jean is, it is a mountain in Arkansas on which is a state park where Ben's grandparents host a family reunion every year in June. We try to make it every year, but last year we weren't able to go because Ben was graduating from seminary. That made it all the more important and exciting to go this year! However, with flight prices skyhigh and three tickets to buy, we decided that we would drive instead of fly. This would be our first roadtrip with two kiddos in the minivan. It would be four 7-hour days on the road round trip. I spent 3 months before the trip just mentally preparing for it! AND the kids did great! I had been told by numerous people to be prepared with a DVD player but had decided that we would only pull out the laptop and a DVD only in a dire emergency scenario, and we didn't need it! I was very impressed at how well they did. The first day, Ben and I were very strict about having a quiet time from after lunch until 3pm (that is their normal nap time). Madelyn didn't have a problem with that, but Greyson woke up early and we made sure that he knew that he was supposed to be quiet and then at 3 gave him a big snack and lots of attention. He caught right on and didn't have a problem the rest of the drive days! (That is MY smart boy!)

Another treat was being able to stop and spend time with the White Family on the way down and back. Thanks White Family for taking us in! We loved seeing you and the kids had so much fun with Charlie! And I LOVE the mohawk!

Every time we go to Petit Jean, there is a hike down to a waterfall the first morning we are there. It is a pretty hefty hike but a cool tradition. The last couple of times we've been to Petit Jean, the falls has been pretty puny. This year it was much better. (I'm sure that is much to the dismay of the Midwest, who were being flooded at the same time.) It is so fun to hang out around the falls and visit. We are thinking that Madelyn may be ready to hike it next year, or maybe the following year. We'll have to see.

Living in Minnesota, it is hard for me to remember how hot and muggy it can be in the south. It hit me like a brick on this trip. In the cabin we were in, the AC was running non-stop it seemed. the first dinner (which was a "birthday dinner" for everyone), Aunt Lou handed out these kiddie windmill toys. When Mike got back to the cabin, he set one up to spin in the AC breeze. If only we could have harnessed the power generated! Because it was so hot, we took the kids to the pool to go swimming - the first time this year due to the cooler weather in MN. Madelyn absolutely loved it. Greyson not so much. I'm not sure what he didn't like. He likes his baths. Maybe because the water was on the cooler side...

It was great seeing Stephanie prego too. She is having trouble with swelling in her legs and feet but otherwise seems to be holding up well. The rest of the family is great too. I love seeing them and I especially love seeing them interacting with my kids.... It is always such a blessing to experience family loving on them. This trip was the first one that I really felt able to just stand back and let Madelyn venture out and interact on her own and it was wonderful to watch! I especially loved meeting the new members of the family - babies Anna, David, and Logan and new cousin-in-law Josh. They all seem to fit into this eccentric family well!

On the second night, we have a family talent show. We had a great time this year cutting up and having a good time. Madelyn dressed up in her dancing outfit and danced to Ben's 5 aunts singing "I Love Being a Girl". She also insisted on getting up and singing songs to the crowd - of course, "Twinkle, Twinkle" and "A,B,C's". I think she could have sung to us all night. I told her that we will have to work up a special song for next year!