We haven’t been in the car with Connor for more than 30 minutes at a stretch for two years. He gets very bored in the car and, as a consequence, usually begins a systematic assault of our mental faculties.
If you’re thinking we just need to bring activities to occupy him in the car, then you can just shut your crusty pie hole right now. We pack the car like we’re taking a cross-country jaunt with the Griswolds, minus the dead grandma.
We decided it was time to try again. Mostly we decided this because they opened an In-N-Out Burger in the Dallas area a few weeks ago, and In-N-Out is the Holy Grail of burgers to someone from California.
Worth every mile driven.
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Don’t get all judge-y on me until you’ve lived in Texas.
Anyway, we couldn’t make this trip all about a hamburger, so we also planned to visit the children’s aquarium and (sound of trumpets blaring here) Medieval Times.
If you’re not familiar with Medieval Times, it’s got several locations throughout the country. A huge building, made to slightly resemble a castle, houses a large arena where you have dinner while watching a medieval play where knights joust on horseback to try and save the prince from some evil guys in black. I knew the kid would love it.
Since I’m far too lazy to write a synopsis of the trip, following are the five highlights I jotted down on a scrap of paper.
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5. Five minutes away from home, and Connor began the “are we there yet” cycle of repetition…despite the fact that we discussed, in great detail, the length of the car ride and the things we would be doing once we arrived at our destination.
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4. Strategically, I asked my good friend and her family if they would like to accompany us on this adventure. My friend’s daughter, Mady the fair maiden, is Connor’s “old lady.” That is to say that she’s almost 3 years older, and he says he loves her. The best part was halfway through the drive, when we stopped to use the bathroom, and the kids begged to have Connor ride in their car. “Oh no, we couldn’t impose.” Oh, please, we want to ride together. “Oh, you’re sure it would be okay? Well, if you insist.” Apparently he stopped asking the “are we there yet” question in their car. Hmph!
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3. After the first 30 minutes in the car, and having passed at least 5 highway patrolmen in that time, I promptly decided I am a city girl. Also, a billboard on the way back solidified my disdain for the boondocks.
What rednecks with money do with their time.
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2. I had forgotten about the stimulating conversations that take place on these road trips.
Husband: “Oh, an Owens Corning Factory, wonder what they make there.”
Me: “Pollution.”
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1. And the number one highlight of the day, besides the burgers and Connor’s immense enjoyment of the show, was husband’s quote immediately after the show, as we drove away.
“I love pageantry and epic-type stuff.”
That right there is why I married him. He’s got some deep thoughts, and he’s not afraid to express them.
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Living on the Spectrum: The Connor Chronicles 