The Grizwald's trip to the Zoo

We went on our first outing as a family of six. With no school today, beautiful sunny weather, and the Sailor leaving very soon, we decided to take the kids all the way to the Ft. Worth Zoo. That's two hours in the car, round trip. I could tell that the Sailor was hesitant while we discussed it this morning, but I explained that this is life now. We have four kids, two are at a high maintenance age, but we still need to enjoy things as a family. We still need to have adventures. I also know, from my experience being alone with three kids, that you get used to the hectic pace, and juggling, and thorough packing. It won't take long once we're all back under one roof full time for him to adjust, and going places with four kids will become second nature. He's a good Dad like that. So we packed everyone up with supplies and food and head out, optimistic and a little nervous. I wore Margo in the Moby Wrap, and pushed the stroller, while he walked with the twins, and Anna when she got antsy. Verdict: easy breezy! By the time we started walking back to the vehicle, an hour past Anna's nap time, she started to meltdown. After a successful two hours at the zoo, we just smiled at each other while taking turns carting our screaming toddler out of the gates. Once we got packed up again it was a peaceful ride home, so much so that the Sailor suggest we take both Margo and Anna on the long car ride north when we transfer, while the twins stay with my parents. One hour in the car, on either side of a Zoo trip, is one thing - nine hours in the car, three days in a row, is another story.

Days like this are sweet and hopeful, but it takes us both working hard to stay on top of it all. Margo is not the sleeper Anna was, and we haven't found a place she'll sleep at night besides in our arms. We literally just trade off being awake all night long. More on that later... Day trips will not be on the menu when the Sailor is gone in the future. My plan is to keep everyone alive and healthy, and find a way to sleep some how, even if it means getting a babysitter to come hold Margo and watch Anna while I nap.

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