01 Dec 2006 08:09 PM

First Day Out

17 November 2006

Well, it is official: living in the motorhome is officially just like living at home. Okay, that's not a true statement, but I don't know why when I expected a change, I thought everything would be different. I sent my husband to the store today with a list, and he still picked up the wrong things. I tell you, it takes a lot of talent to be a man!

Seriously, our first day in the motorhome has been, well, psychoctic. Of course, that is probably because the last day of packing consisted of me literally throwing things into the new residence with plans to "clean up and sort out later". Later came this morning, when I got to pick through the kids clothes and put away several stacks of 'random' boxes - you know the tight. The ones where everything gets thrown together. The ones that are literally evil to unpack. The ones that I still haven't managed to unpack because they intimidate me. So, anyway, today was laundry day. Thankfully, we were placed at a site directly across the street from the laundry room - and there was a tot playground between the two. We went in and out, in and out, washing the laundry. We only had three loads, which worked out, since there were only three washing machines. The kids had fun on the little playground, and then again, when we moved to the bigger playground, they had even more fun.

We started off trying to get some routines organized. Little things, like making the bed (ugh, it's amazing how much fun that is. Since the kids are sleeping on the foldout couch bed, I have to 'hide' the pillows. Plus Jimmy is in the playpen, which folds down, so I have to hide his stuff, too. All of these pillows and blankets wind up on my bed) and figuring out how to cook dinner in a three inch space. Okay, the kitchen area is bigger than three inches - I think it is maybe five inches. It's tiny. It's insane. I have to make sure the kids stay out while I cook. I have to make sure I stay out while I cook. Little things. And I won't mention the fact that I forgot to make the vegetables - which worked out well, since I only had three burners and used them all. I'm going to have to start nuking a few things.

The other fun part about dinner is my lack of stores. I usually have a full pantry to work with; it's been a few years since I had to make a detailed meal plan and corresponding shopping list. In fact, while I thought about it a few weeks ago when we discussed living in the motorhome - back when I realized our food budget would have to be sizeably increased - I completely forgot about it in terms of recent dining plans. So I guess tomorrow's goal includes making next week's food budget. Hey, that means I get the chance to go to the grocery store by myself, sans kids. Wow, that would almost be like peace and quiet...I can only imagine.

In the meantime, folks, I actually put my book down at the playground and played tag with my kids. First I was it and got to chase them; obviously I was running in slow-mo. Then they wanted to chase me. I picked up a little speed at that point and did some fancy tricks, including climbing one of the ladders on the 'lookout tower' and sliding down the fireman's pole. Would you believe my kids actually split up on me? I thought they would both follow me up the ladder, but no such luck; Mookie climbed the ladder to get me while Dawn waited below at the pole. I guess they've learned strategy at some point. I'm not ready for them to be quite that big. Anyway, I actually managed to jump off the pole without getting tagged and ran away some more before finally collapsing in (real) exhaustion. And my five year old daughter grins and says something to the effect of, "I want to wear you out so that you sleep really well tonight." Hey, that's my line! I guess they really do listen.

Tomorrow is Saturday, and Michael has to work for a few hours. Then he says we will find something to do. There are a lot of neat things around here, but we are on a budget, so we're going to see what we can find that is inexpensive or <cough> free. My kids have already several brochures they picked up in the laundry room. Places on their list of 'things to see' include: a ghost tour, whitewater rafting, and some kind of obscure haunted house. Dawn said she didn't mind if Jimmy fell out of the boat and drowned during the whitewater rafting; then I explained what drowning meant, and she agreed that it was a bad idea.

Things to make sure you do when you are moving into an RV: make sure that you and your husband are on the same page, and if you aren't, make sure you know how to fake it. We are having lots of fun adapting to small spaces, and it is amazing how close living can emphasize your differences. Not that they are major, mind you. Little things like, if I tell the kids not to do something, and they do it, back me up. If I hint - and then state - that I need help with dinner, um, a little help would help. <insert gripe here> I am sure I am similarly rubbing him the wrong way. But we are working on that, and I'm sure that after Monday's family home evening, we'll be in the same book, at least, if not exactly on the same page. We plan to talk about motorhome rules and routines (by then, we should have a good idea about what works and what doesn't). I am hoping that things will run a little smoother after that.

In the meantime, we are having a pretty good time. Other than laundry and cleaning, and general playing, we also managed to have a naptime - Jimmy in the baby bed up front, alone, with the other two in the back with me - and drawing time. The kids played with some toys and did a great job of cleaning up after themselves. We also are working on establishing a good bedtime routine - no bath yet, we still have some stuff in the tub (Michael put it there, not me!) that needs to be cleaned up but can't be until the bedroom is clean - that includes prayers and scripture study. And though things have been close, and a little tense - I'm still worn out from yesterday's trip and lack of sleep - we're having fun, I think. We didn't even turn on the tv until Michael came home worn out and dinner was finished, and TV is usually my 'okay, mommy is stressed and needs to relax' helper. I try to stay away, but have been known to utilize it, especially while making dinner. So a pretty good first day in the motorhome.

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