Should I stay or should I go? (& an update!)

We've been planning to take a road trip up to VA to see my family during Abby's spring break.

We were supposed to leave yesterday.

Some things came up at Pat's work and changed our plans a bit. He may still be able to go with us, but if not...

Is it crazy to attempt a 12 hour road trip by myself with a three and five year old?

It is, isn't it?

The only reason I'm even considering it, despite my better judgement, is because our back-up plan to go Memorial Day weekend (after Abby is out of school) did not go over well with the kids....especially Abby.

I told her that if we stayed here for spring break, we would do lots of fun things. There is a new treehouse exhibit at the botanical gardens...

"But Mom! Treehouses are not as SPECIAL as family!" she cried - big crocodile tears.

Can't argue with that - especially since it's been six months since we've seen everyone, including their two-year-old cousin, and I've still yet to snuggle my precious little five-month-old niece.

Pat is still thinking that it may work out to go. We should know more tomorrow, but in the meantime, I keep thinking maybe I could be brave and just drive the kids on up there.

Then again, taking both kids to the grocery store is sometimes a nearly impossible feat. Just imagine twelve hours worth of gas stations, dirty public restrooms, finding places to eat, having to pull over to switch movies on the portable DVD player, wishing I had go-go gadget arms when reaching back to handing them snacks....and did I mention that they don't nap or sleep well in the car? And on the off chance that Noah does fall asleep, when he wakes up in his carseat, he gets really upset.

Um, yeah.

I think I just answered my own question.

******************
Update (3/15): Pat got the go ahead! Phew! The mommy guilt has been lifted & my homesickness will subside at least for a few days. We'll be leaving late tomorrow afternoon, stay the night a few hours up the road, and then drive the rest of the way on Weds. morning. The kids are SO excited to go to "Papa's house" and to stay in a hotel on the way up there. It's the only time they are allowed to jump from bed to bed at 11 o'clock at night while we wait for Daddy to bring up the bags. They also get a kick out of picking a little box of cereal at the continental breakfast in the morning. Powdered donuts are always a big hit too.

Now to schedule some posts for later in the week. I've got a funny St. Patty's Day pic I've been waiting to put up...