Ben loves to be embedded in everything we do as a family. This even includes coming along on our anniversary dinner every year. This blog is no exception. The best way we thought to present his thoughts about our upcoming trip was through a Q&A session. The transcript below is completely unfiltered. To be fair you must keep in mind he is six and I am not the best interviewer.

Question: What are you looking forward to most?

Answer: I don’t know. Everything?

Question: What’s everything?

Answer: Everything on the trip.

Question: Even all the driving?

Answer: Yes. The drive because I can see some cool things.

Question: If you could do anything on the trip what would you do?

Answer: I don’t know. Watch TV in the car.

Question: What kind of artifacts (his word whenever we talk about souvenir shopping) are you hoping to find?

Answer: A gem or shark tooth or …pause…followed by a big intake of air…a mammal tooth!

Question: What makes you happy about the trip?

Answer: That I’m going to dress up like a cowboy.

Question: What are three things you want to do on the trip?

Answer: hike the Grand Canyon, maybe buy new cowboy boots, and go through Albuquerque.

Question: Why do you want to go through Albuquerque?

Answer: Because we’ll see somebody.

Question: Who?

Answer: Aunt Meg and Stephanie.

Question: What friends are you bringing along?

Answer: Mickey (famous mouse) and Carlo (stuffed dog)

Question: What do they want to see?

Answer: Carlo wants to see me and Mickey wants to see my new cowboy boots.

Question: Is there any food you’re looking forward to eating?

Answer: Some food? I don’t know.

Question: Do you want to try the onion burger?

Answer: NO!!! Maybe I’ll have fries.

Question: What’s the first snack you’re going to eat in the car?

Answer: Cookies

Question: Are you willing to try new foods?

Answer: No.

Question: Is there anything else you want people to know about your upcoming adventure?

Answer: No.

Well, there you have it. Ben’s perspective on the upcoming trip. I will note that mom and dad have kept certain points of interest on this trip to themselves. Some elements of surprise are a good thing. I mean if he knew he was going to hike in an ice cave or lava tube he most certainly wouldn’t stop asking “are we there yet?”. I do think his feelings about what he’ll see on the trip are best expressed through his artwork.

traveling with kids