08/11/2007

At not-quite-two, Nathan is a pretty young traveler, but he is in high demand around the globe (on behalf of his white-blond hair, big blue eyes, and charming disposition). When you are as popular as he is, it is hard to stay in just one place...the phone rings off the hook with folks requesting the honor of his presence...and thus it is that Nathan has planned a trip out of town. He slyly found a plan that involved a lot of his favorite things:

1. Daddy. He insisted that a child traveling hundreds of miles in an airplane should not be unaccompanied. Mom can't come because she is quite pregnant and, frankly, he sees a lot more of her anyway. But Dad can come! Nathan is thrilled! Sure, Daddy doesn't get much of a vacation...he is just the chauffer flying up to Chicago one day and back to Houston the next, but Nathan is pleased.

2. Airplane. Although the structure of an airplane and the fact that it can FLY are incredible, they leave no impression on Nathan. He does not wonder to himself that such a large machine can lift off the ground and travel at speeds much faster than a car. He doesn't pause to reflect on whomever decided to make the airplane seats flotation devices, and he's not thankful for the run down of emergency procedures, either. (He actually rolls his eyes when the flight attendant takes out a model to show an airplane full of primarily adults how to buckle their seat belts! Even Nathan knows how to operate the seat belt.) But, Nathan is 100% in love with the on board snack and beverage service. Every variety of soda known to mankind is at his fingertips! Also, a bag of stale snack mix or flavorless peanuts awaits. For some reason, this thrills him.

3. Grandpa. Grandpa drives a riding lawnmower. Nathan thinks that is pretty cool. He thinks it even better that occasionally Grandpa lets Nathan drive the lawnmower. Grandpa also plays ball--he even conforms to Nathan's nontraditional games--games that involve throwing golf balls, kicking basketballs, and tossing soccer balls. Grandpa is also good for carrying Nathan when he is tired of his stroller or when his little legs have grown weary (warning to Grandpa and Grandma: Nathan is too rarely tired!)

4. Grandma. Grandma takes Nathan to all her favorite places: the cookie store, the candy store, the ice cream shop, etc. When Nathan is with Grandma he puts on twenty pounds and wears a 4T. Grandma doesn't play the 'usual' games with Nathan. Rather, she makes up games or goes along with whatever activity Nathan has invented. It would be impossible to predict what the two of them might come up with, but they WILL have a good time.

To spend three weeks with Grandpa and Grandma means spending three weeks TOTALLY spoiled. This sounds good to Nathan who believes he lives a rather difficult life here in Houston. But, the secret is this: Nathan's Mommy thinks that spending three weeks here in Houston without Nathan might leave her feeling totally spoiled! Sure, she will miss him and the quirky way he does things. She will miss his eyes when they are sleepy and his silly voice as it chatters on and on about nothing in particular. She will miss the way he races around the house chasing after the cat. She will miss his kisses. But, she will not clean up crayons four times a day. She will not read 'Arthur Sets Sail' enough times that the neighbors below can be heard chanting along. She will not change diapers. She will not heft Nathan up and down the stairs. She will not play Ring-Around-the-Rosies or be the 'horsey' (which is difficult at 8-months pregnant!). She might take some really good naps, read some books, and have some date nights with Daddy. If Nia comes early, she might shower her little girl with attention that, just for a brief time, does not have to be shared. She might only need to vacuum the floor once a week. She might open a can of Coke and drink it all by herself. Who is looking forward to the trip more?

I'm just not sure...