bits n pieces.

some random thoughts/moments:

we lost one of selkie's flipflops. this is a tragedy that took half an hour to emotionally process.

alex is concerned with the lack of wildlife. "where are all the hawks? why are there no hawks around? i would not be surprised if we got back east and found out that the red-tailed hawk population has been decimated by some unknown disease."

selkie was interested for half a day about directions. she kept asking whether we were going north or east. she said, "if we go south, we'll see worms!"

i first yelled at my kids at 3:38 pm, day one.

my kids watched "the price is right" for the first time yesterday. milo says he's now hooked.

during a really great moment, milo said, "this is one of the awesomest experiences i've ever experienced."

he also explained to us what making out was, and as we groaned told us, "this drive just keeps getting better and better."

i told alex he was actually a good driver two days ago.

we keep thinking of really good apps for smart phones. for instance, what about one where it can tell you exactly what kind of landscape you are in at that very moment? as in, hey, here we are in a upper prairie/grasslands motif! isn't that interesting? you click on it and then my family is rich.

milo yesterday: "how did i manage to kick myself in the penis?"

selkie late last night, riffing on nothing with hysterical laughter: "because the pickles are here, and they are magic!"

we drove 28 miles out of the way today for a whole foods. let me just say, i LOVE. WHOLE. FOODS. i got a salad and said in a quiet, adoring voice, "hi kale. how are you? remember me?"

the smell of fast food restaurants' antibacterial bathroom soap is enough to make me gag at this point. i rubbed my hands in dirt the other day after i went pee, just so i wouldn't have to wash up with that stuff.

we have six license plates left to find. c'mon, hawai'i, c'mon.

now that my daughter has discovered the joy of pee-wee's playhouse episodes, i feel that my love for her is cemented, and i will no longer think about sending her away when she's a jerk.

the landscapes have changed so much. this is pretty country, y'all.

except for kansas.

this morning we got out of the hotel right across from the kansas city royals stadium and the humidity was so powerful i felt i had to push it apart with two hands, as if parting some heavy curtains. "see, selkie? this is humidity. get used to how this feels."

there is nothing more blessed right now than when the kids are either singing together at the top of their lungs or when the entire car is silent, each person thinking her or his own thoughts. quiet contemplation. beautiful.

already i'm a little bit sad to think its going to end this weekend. just a little bit. but then i can't wait to get off my ass and run around for a while.

current gas mileage: 44.6 MPG. pretty sucky for a prius, but we can't complain.

tonight we're staying in indianapolis, and tomorrow we're hitting the indianapolis children's museum, where i spent many a day as a kid milo's age. i haven't been to indy since alex and i first drove out to california, and i'm a little nervous about being there again. it is a veritable freak-out moment to bring my own children to the place where i played as a child.

we're driving through st. elmo, illinois right now. all i hear is the theme song.

rob lowe sax solo, anyone?