Back East — Part 2

I'm sorry, was I just complaining about traveling alone with children? Because, if I was ... I take it all back. Several days into the trip my dear brother arrived in Wash. DC, put his wife on a train to New York and drove two hours south to the Northern Neck with his 2-year-old son and 3-month-old (unweaned) baby for three relaxing — HA! — days by the Rivah with me. Was it fun? ... I can't remember.

We provided backup for each other. We both had our melt downs. And if you think swimming in a freezing cold pool with two young non-swimmers is challenging, try swimming in a freezing cold pool with one non-swimmer in the water and a fussy baby on shore.

By the way, my brother out-parents me on many levels, but he takes the gold star in playground participation.