The Great American Eclipse
So I guess there's a name for us. We're eclipse chasers. We learned about the American eclipse five years ago when Lewis was buying National Park posters for our play room. And he put it on our calendar then.
And in January I made reservations. In March I made more reservations. And last week we went.
I would go through each picture but I know most of you just don't care that much.
It's a beautiful place. I'm so glad I got to see it and we will need to go back when my kids are a little older. Julia is on the outside edge of being a good camper. It was certainly possible at this age but it was hard for her. She transitioned hard between activities and there were some epic meltdowns that make me question myself and her and whether or not she needs a psyche eval.
The jury is still out.
But I do know she will never, ever, ever live down the stories of her tantrums in Boston Common and at Old Faithful.
But sweet girl - should you ever read this - please know that we never asked these things of your brothers. They never traveled anywhere except to visit family, where I could control the situation and they could nap and things stayed relatively easy. Sure they went on boats and they did things, and Grady went camping at 3 and 4. But David slept inside. In a crib. They had never been to a baseball game until this past year and you went to your first MLB game at 6wks old. Everything they have done, you have had to do that much sooner. And it is very, very hard. And I know that. And I understand your fits and I love you during them and after when you collapse into a hug and say "sorry, mama," as you've been taught. You and I will learn to navigate these things. And we will fight again, I know. You will scream and cry and I will get frustrated and say the wrong things and I won't always do right, either. But we'll both apologize and we'll both move forward because that's all we can do.
We had a great time but it was a hard trip. Not necessarily relaxing but very educational and the boys absolutely loved it. And the eclipse was amazing. The totality was breath taking. It was completely overwhelming and when it was over it was almost like ... wait, did that happen? We saw it very clearly, not a cloud in the sky but some haze. And when the sun disappeared into a bright white ring around the moon it was incredible. I can't explain it except to say that I can't wait for the next one.
And in January I made reservations. In March I made more reservations. And last week we went.
It's a beautiful place. I'm so glad I got to see it and we will need to go back when my kids are a little older. Julia is on the outside edge of being a good camper. It was certainly possible at this age but it was hard for her. She transitioned hard between activities and there were some epic meltdowns that make me question myself and her and whether or not she needs a psyche eval.
The jury is still out.
But I do know she will never, ever, ever live down the stories of her tantrums in Boston Common and at Old Faithful.
But sweet girl - should you ever read this - please know that we never asked these things of your brothers. They never traveled anywhere except to visit family, where I could control the situation and they could nap and things stayed relatively easy. Sure they went on boats and they did things, and Grady went camping at 3 and 4. But David slept inside. In a crib. They had never been to a baseball game until this past year and you went to your first MLB game at 6wks old. Everything they have done, you have had to do that much sooner. And it is very, very hard. And I know that. And I understand your fits and I love you during them and after when you collapse into a hug and say "sorry, mama," as you've been taught. You and I will learn to navigate these things. And we will fight again, I know. You will scream and cry and I will get frustrated and say the wrong things and I won't always do right, either. But we'll both apologize and we'll both move forward because that's all we can do.
We had a great time but it was a hard trip. Not necessarily relaxing but very educational and the boys absolutely loved it. And the eclipse was amazing. The totality was breath taking. It was completely overwhelming and when it was over it was almost like ... wait, did that happen? We saw it very clearly, not a cloud in the sky but some haze. And when the sun disappeared into a bright white ring around the moon it was incredible. I can't explain it except to say that I can't wait for the next one.
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