Mileophile: July 2019, Missouri, Day 1

Mile 1: The smoke from the fireworks has hardly cleared and we are hitting the road for our 7^th year of “See the Nation by Graduation”. Typically, we would let the dust settle a bit after the 4^th of July to begin our travels. But alas, middle child must be back a week before school starts for a school theater intensive… so, onward and upward.

Side note: Can we stop this cray? School starts on August 1^st. How can you make something mandatory before school starts? (You’re welcome, Mae. Now, thanks to mommy’s big mouth, you get to be a tree and/or understudy to the tree.)

I have the feeling you are leaving me. I'll just stay right here forever.

The minutes leading up to this trip have involved me painstakingly trying to pack, unpack, and repack. Because although we are taking our own wheels and not a plane, Mr. Bullington coerced me into camping again (just for one night), so I must remember all the normal things for 14 days on the open road, but also all the camping things for a night on the cold. hard. unforgiving. ground. I was also sure not to forget my SHWEET new travel accessory that serves not only as a functional hands-free carry all, but also a means to humiliate my teens and almost-teens publically, my new fannie pack!! I think I’ll call her Frannie pack and wear her everywhere with every outfit. I chose a nice neutral grey tone so she’ll go with everything whilst stowing my phone, credit cards, admission tickets, and lip gloss. There’s even a tiny little pocket for my self-respect and another little zippy pouch where I think I’ll be able to stuff any possibility of being a cool mom. Stay tuned, this won’t be the last time you hear about Frannie Pack.

How does this phone work? And, how amazing is this Frannie pack?

This year, the family Bullington will be working our way north through this great nation’s inner-parts. The destinations have been heavily researched and reservations have been secured. The car has been partially packed since Monday and in true Bullington fashion, we are .5 miles away from the house and middle child realizes she’s left Blankie. Yes, she’s almost 12, but we are 10 minutes in and I just want to start off on a peaceful foot. So a quick U-turn and an eye-twitch, and we are on our way!

We traveled in absolute peace through Nashville as the kids slept off the 4^th of July.

The children began to stir, and Mr. Bullington and I discovered another fun way to evoke eye-rolls from the back seat. I think it was just about a mile out from the Clarksville, TN Chick-fil-a, we began to over-use the term “hashtag” accompanied with a hand gesture…It’s such a versatile way to connect with your kids.

Kid: “Moooooom, Thomas accidently on purpose played the sounds of a rushing waterfall on his phone really loud right after I complained about how bad I had to go to the bathroom” (Paraphrased, obviously. And kudos to Thomas for masterful comedic timing used to torment the sisters)

Parent: “Hashtagsoblessed”

Kid: “Mooooooom, I have to pee so bad because it’s been like 10 minutes since we last stopped”

Parent: “Hashtagwaterbottlewithyournameonit”

Hilarity ensued for Mr. Bullington and I, #makingmemories.

Mile 541- St. Louis was our very first stop on our very first road trip with the kids, so their memories are hazy at best. Charlotte wanted to go back up in the Gateway Arch. After checking into our hotel, we rushed to the Arch for our scheduled ride in the Pod O’ Death up to heights that nature never intended. Up the North side, down the South side and done.

Photo Cred: Charlotte Bullington

She's a beauty!

Louis and Clark's lesser known side-kick

We rushed back to the hotel to change into our “City Museum Attire” of leggings/pants and close-toed shoes. I'd done the research...you are doomed if you don't wear leggings/pants and close-toed shoes. And while I am sure that y’all are all judging me for being a skosh too much of a micro-manager, after hearing thigh meat slapping and squeaking its way down a ten-story metal slide in the July heat, I am fine with your labels. #owningit #nobodylostatoenail

If you are in St. Louis and you are moderately fit, the city museum is the place for you and your imps. Words just can’t. I’ve never seen anything like it. And, if you are #lessthanfit, there is a bar and a drag show. So, settle in. #soblessed