Last Wish

Last Friday was Reuben's last free day before his weekdays were given over to school. Since I'm hoping he'll be enrolled in school for the next 25+ years of his life, I took pity on him and told him we would spend the day doing whatever he wanted to do. He thought for a minute and then said "Lets go to Gettysburg."

So Miriam, Reuben, and I loaded up the car and drove up to Gettysburg. I was feeling a dangerous mix of indulgent and sentimental, so our bank account and Miriam are lucky he didn't come out with Disneyworld or See Oma and Grandpa in SC or visit Edward in the Arctic, because I probably would have done it. (Edward is Reuben's imaginary friend cat who is all white and lives in the Arctic where he hunts wolves and fights polar bears)

I was also a lot more willing to drive a long distance because I was armed with the Whinnie the Pooh audiobook I mentioned last post AND an excellent audiobook of The Hobbit. 

Here are some of the highlights of the trip.

Reuben demonstrated the use of the baby seat in the family bathroom to Miriam. Then they both took turns trying it out for a good quarter hour. I had told myself that there would be no hurrying on this trip. We were going to enjoy the moment. My resolve was sorely tested. But I must say, the extra time gave me time to reflect and recognize that the government has done an awesome job putting in REAL family bathrooms in their new facilities. They even had a chair so you could sit and nurse somewhere besides the toilet seat. 

Reuben "I've got Abraham Lincoln's Hat. Ha ha!"

We ate lunch at the New York memorial because it was shaded and quiet and we could enjoy it all to ourselves.

It also had this incredible view. 

Reuben and Miriam had fun picking out letters and trying to read the names. We found a Robert but no Reuben. We also found an Adolph, which was the name of one of my ancestor who served in the conflict.

After lunch we wandered around several other markers. Miriam did her best to climb the outer wall and fall off the upper balcony of the Pennsylvania monument while Reuben kept his back to the wall because it was "Too High!" After that I vetoed everything that involved a second story. We stopped by and paid our respect to the South Carolina monument which thankfully is one level.

For the finale, we made Reuben's requisite visit to Devil's Den.