Have you ever tried to teach a 6 year-old to budget? To save yourself a lot of headache, I’d wait until they are a tad older but I know this will pay off one day (and I love my husband enough to do this b/c I would NOT be doing this if it were only up to me)! The only thing that has saved us from spending her money too fast is her amazement with this machine (51 cents, YES PLEASE!): https://youtu.be/UevQGNS9F4w
I must admit, Ella is an amazing road dog. She is SO happy to get as much screen time on the tablet as possible and she rarely needs to use the bathroom (even with the amount of water she is drinking...how does she do it?) I'm probably the more difficult one on the trip and that makes me giggle. I will not apologize for mom bladder folks, you moms know what I'm talking about! The only real time I almost lost my ever-loving mind today was after the human bear bought a bell as a souvenir and kept forgetting and ringing it while she couldn't hear b/c the tablet was on. Let me know how many times you could have taken this before ripping the bell out of her tiny little hand and throwing it out of the window? Just saying: https://youtu.be/4YN5x8Z3aOQ. I just showed that to her and asked if she saw how irritating that is to which she responded, "No, I like it!"
Adventure Stop #6: Welcome Center: Glenrio, New Mexico
The first time for both of us to be in New Mexico…this may be my favorite place so far to drive through. The landscapes are beautiful and I also remembered about Jason’s car having Sirius radio. I got enough T-Pain, Ashanti, Ja Rule, Tupac and Ludakris to drive another 1000 miles (what more could a girl want in life?) When we came out of the welcome center, I may have slipped my key accidentally into a pocket I didn't even know my purse had which created a 15 minute frantic adventure game of "find the lost keys" thank goodness it was all a silly mistake (that Ella will be very excited to tell you all about the next time she sees you!)
Adventure Stop #7: Route 66 Café: Santa Rosa, New Mexico
I loved this spot. The people that came in all knew each other. I thought it may be a little chain and cheesy spot because of it’s location but we were the only people that seemed to be from out of town! Of course the human bear made friends at the bar before she and the stuffed bear danced along to the jukebox. N’SYNC and Barack have chosen to stay in the car at most stops, probably to avoid the scene caused by their celebrity (much appreciated fellas).
Dancing and singing at the jukebox with Beast Mode and making sure she's taken care of even though she's not so talkative:)
Adventure Stop #8: Sandia Peak Tramway: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Every time I think it’s going to be a more low-key driving day I then realize there are just too many good things to see! We cut out a morning hike b/c we were so tired from yesterday and this stop I wasn’t certain we would do. Thanks to our friend Susannah for encouraging us to check it out b/c we did make time for it and it was worth it! The pictures do NOT do this one justice...we road up over 10,000 feet in the tram and saw some amazing views. The workers actually change shifts by riding ON TOP of the tram. There were 26 mph winds at the top and the temp dropped over 20 degrees up there.
The scared face in the bottom corner is legit. I was a little nervous myself but we both got it together quickly:)
She doesn't quite have my jumping pic technique down yet but she will keep trying until she gets it!
People don't look at me nearly as crazy with Beast Mode now that we have Ella Bear with us! Funny how that works.
On the way back down to safety.
Ella: What I loved today was the tram and having the same hotel and having fun and having fun with my mom. She said I could have a muffin AND some cereal. I had to let my Aunt Kimmer know how to pronounce a French word today, shout out to Mlle. Marie! (after seeing one of my texts, Ella said we weren't saying this word correctly (pirogue: she's never heard it before so I'm unsure how she's so certain of the pronunciation but it sounds like she knows what she's doing) and had to video and send it to my mom and sister so they know...https://youtu.be/3b1kbDDm-Z8
Lindsey: I love that on this trip the things she enjoys the most have been pools, the LaQuinta, (be sure to pronounce correctly: Mlle. Marie, you have created a monster!) and when I let her eat sugary junk...next time we can just do all that at in BR!)
Beast Mode: So many pools, so little time…I'm starting to see how human bears live! I don’t want any part in that foolishness. That human bear talks to EVERYONE! I like my quiet little life and I'm just along for the ride.
I forgot about the tram, as if this stuff isn't terrifying enough for a stuffed bear, the human bear taunted me on the descent! Peace out, I'm going to bed and I'm done with this day. I'm scared to death of what tomorrow may bring. Goodnight.
