It's All Good

Tomorrow, March 31, 2010- Breaking more new ground as a family.

Sweet Jane flies away to Munich, Germany!

And her mama hasn't a care in the world.

Her first flight will be the experience I would have wished for her older sister. Safe in the company of people who have flown a bajillion times before. They'll be so busy snacking and cavorting that they won't have any time for worries and what-ifs.

Jane, her cousin, and her aunties are spending a few days in Munich before they meet Arianna and take a train together to Rome, Italy. (Here's where I get jealous). My brother, his wife, and three girls live in Rome. He is employed by the World Food Programme (United Nations) and after spending most of his career in Africa; has now moved to "headquarters"_ Rome.

Two generations are spending a few days exploring the history and wonders of Rome. All the while, deepening family bonds. (don't fight- Okay?)

Jane will be hanging out with only her favourite cousins in the entire world. In the entire history of the world. I can hear them giggling in my mind's eye. (ear?)

Now, before you all go speculating that I've actually been selling knock-off Gucci bags online in some seedy black market... Well, it's time to give credit where it is due.

My girls have been working very hard this year. Wiping bums and soothing tantrums. (the acorn don't fall far from the tree?) They've been saving and planning. And doing it very well.

At this time- allow me to thank all the families of our community for putting my daughters on airplanes... Thank you for going out of Friday nights, Sunday nights, and we'll take any nights in between....

And... then there are my sisters. Generous, sentimental lot that they are. Sweet Kathy and Mel did some mysterious world traveller- type air traffic magic for us. And Carol? Sheesh. Aside from giving a full tutorial on how to survive airports, (which paid off, thank you Jesus), I just know she'll be spoiling the criminies out of those kids. (Here. Let ME get that baguette for you. Need some chocolate? Ah, forget it. Jane. You really MUST hang glide over the Colosseum and I'm paying for it- It's your birthday presents from now until you are thirty-four.)

And I really should mention that Brian tried to convince me to empty the meager coffers, let the deck rot for another four years, and spontaneously buy myself a ticket to Rome.

But then I thought of the paperwork.

Daycare waivers that would have to be signed...

In the event that you or your beloved

should fall to your death or

dismemberment through the widening

decay of an aging home in the slums of Hoo-Ville,
Ye must agree to never prosecute or even make to
feel guilty the daycare provider

or her man partner

or her offspring
Nor her oxen or her ass.
If indeed the deck doth kill thee, thou

must remain motionless and silent,

below

forevermore.

Meh.

I don't love paperwork.

I'm staying home.
With this lot.

Doing Exciting Local Stuff.

On the deck.