Jun 25 – Jul 1: Off to Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming (Part3)
June 27th
Another day in Lava Hot Springs KOA. I spent much of it going over the van from top to bottom and fore to aft. I mean I pulled everything out; including beds, linen, and completely emptying the “garage.” Benny got a chance to ride his bike in front of our campsite with an older boy who was watching his little sister at the same time. The kid was twelve but was decent. He seemed relieved that all he had to do was watch because Benny and Abby entertained each other. Abby has Downs Syndrome, very high functioning, but her fine motor skills weren’t great so even though she was eight she and Benny were about the same speed on the bikes.
I noticed the Dad – Mr. Danner – was keeping an eye out as well.
“Thank you,” I told him coming out from under the van.
“Sure. Though I should be thanking you. Abby usually has to play odd man out. Benny is a good kid.”
“Abby is outgoing without being overpowering. The kind of person that Benny does well with.”
He came over and asked, “Mind if I look under the hood? If it wasn’t for the kids, the wife and I would love to downsize.” When he caught me looking, he said, “She’s laying down. She’s a traveling nurse and her case load got ahead of her, and she wore herself out. Again.”
“The entire family travels with her?”
He nodded an affirmative and said, “I’m a retired PA. We used to do it as a team but after Abby was born one of us needed to be with the kids full time.” A little defensively he added, “We homeschool, and the kids are doing fantastic. Our oldest is in college.”
“It’s cool. I was homeschooled as well. When my father died I went to go live with my brother for high school and was also dual enrolled, but I was still homeschooled. My brother essentially told the grief counselor that I was fine and it was none of their business. They basically said that if he wanted to screw me up then fine, there were other kids they could help.” The man chuckled in understanding then stopped smiling when I completed the story. “Then he passed away and now I raise his son and … to be honest I’m hoping I can home school him. I just don’t have a partner to share expenses with so …”
Interested and understanding at the same time he said, “That’s a problem for sure. But it is more doable now than it was when Diane, my wife, and I were in school. Lots of remote career opportunities these days, you just have to have a schedule and be self-motivated … and plenty of internet access.”
I didn’t tell him about the blog. I had kinda over shared as it is. But sometimes you just have to be out there to make any kind of connections. I showed him around the Ark and not long after that Abby needed to take a break as she’d gotten hot. Benny needed to eat so we went our separate ways. Benny admitted having fun but that he was all fun’d out and wanted to play with the Crew after lunch. He’s getting better, or maybe we’ve just gotten lucky the last few social interactions he’s had with kids. Either or, I made a point of saying thank you to DJ (the brother) and telling him I appreciated him spending some time with younger kids. That it set a good example.
I wasn’t blowing smoke at the kid. I had appreciated him doing it and Dad and my grandparents taught me that positive reinforcement is a good thing. They taught me work was a healthy activity as well so after lunch Benny helped me with the van, and I said after that we’d go back to the hot springs.
I disconnected the freshwater tank and got it cleaned out. While that was going on I changed the oil and all the filters. Topped off fluids if they needed it. Cleaned under the hood and around the engine where I’ve been driving and picking up a lot of dust. That was an area the no-water car wash hadn’t reached.
I told Benny, “You are a most excellent helper Little Bear. Gonna have to see about a special dessert or something as a reward.”
“Can we pop some popcorn and have butter and garlic? After we go swimming?”
“Whew, so long as you promise to brush your teeth before bed.”
“All right!”
He is so easy to please. I wonder when that changes?
Just too tired to write much more tonight except to say that was some fantastic pizza crust from the gluten free baker. They deserve the good reviews they have. Plus I’m trying to get to sleep a little earlier than normal, assuming everyone here in the campground cooperates. Lord some people need to put a leash on their kids, or at least duct tape their mouths if they can’t be at least a little considerate. I know Benny can get loud and I’m trying to remind him of that and help him learn better habits, but at least he doesn’t shriek. Gee whiz.
It isn’t Abby or the Danners. There are two families about three RVs down from us and their kids seem to be feeding off each other. I really don’t mean to be cranky, but that noise is getting on my nerves and I want to be in tip top condition for the drive into Grand Teton, not a crabby auntie. Geez and there they go again, and they bounced a ball off the van this time. Okay, my patience is at an end. Time to talk to the parental units.
June 27th
Another day in Lava Hot Springs KOA. I spent much of it going over the van from top to bottom and fore to aft. I mean I pulled everything out; including beds, linen, and completely emptying the “garage.” Benny got a chance to ride his bike in front of our campsite with an older boy who was watching his little sister at the same time. The kid was twelve but was decent. He seemed relieved that all he had to do was watch because Benny and Abby entertained each other. Abby has Downs Syndrome, very high functioning, but her fine motor skills weren’t great so even though she was eight she and Benny were about the same speed on the bikes.
I noticed the Dad – Mr. Danner – was keeping an eye out as well.
“Thank you,” I told him coming out from under the van.
“Sure. Though I should be thanking you. Abby usually has to play odd man out. Benny is a good kid.”
“Abby is outgoing without being overpowering. The kind of person that Benny does well with.”
He came over and asked, “Mind if I look under the hood? If it wasn’t for the kids, the wife and I would love to downsize.” When he caught me looking, he said, “She’s laying down. She’s a traveling nurse and her case load got ahead of her, and she wore herself out. Again.”
“The entire family travels with her?”
He nodded an affirmative and said, “I’m a retired PA. We used to do it as a team but after Abby was born one of us needed to be with the kids full time.” A little defensively he added, “We homeschool, and the kids are doing fantastic. Our oldest is in college.”
“It’s cool. I was homeschooled as well. When my father died I went to go live with my brother for high school and was also dual enrolled, but I was still homeschooled. My brother essentially told the grief counselor that I was fine and it was none of their business. They basically said that if he wanted to screw me up then fine, there were other kids they could help.” The man chuckled in understanding then stopped smiling when I completed the story. “Then he passed away and now I raise his son and … to be honest I’m hoping I can home school him. I just don’t have a partner to share expenses with so …”
Interested and understanding at the same time he said, “That’s a problem for sure. But it is more doable now than it was when Diane, my wife, and I were in school. Lots of remote career opportunities these days, you just have to have a schedule and be self-motivated … and plenty of internet access.”
I didn’t tell him about the blog. I had kinda over shared as it is. But sometimes you just have to be out there to make any kind of connections. I showed him around the Ark and not long after that Abby needed to take a break as she’d gotten hot. Benny needed to eat so we went our separate ways. Benny admitted having fun but that he was all fun’d out and wanted to play with the Crew after lunch. He’s getting better, or maybe we’ve just gotten lucky the last few social interactions he’s had with kids. Either or, I made a point of saying thank you to DJ (the brother) and telling him I appreciated him spending some time with younger kids. That it set a good example.
I wasn’t blowing smoke at the kid. I had appreciated him doing it and Dad and my grandparents taught me that positive reinforcement is a good thing. They taught me work was a healthy activity as well so after lunch Benny helped me with the van, and I said after that we’d go back to the hot springs.
I disconnected the freshwater tank and got it cleaned out. While that was going on I changed the oil and all the filters. Topped off fluids if they needed it. Cleaned under the hood and around the engine where I’ve been driving and picking up a lot of dust. That was an area the no-water car wash hadn’t reached.
I told Benny, “You are a most excellent helper Little Bear. Gonna have to see about a special dessert or something as a reward.”
“Can we pop some popcorn and have butter and garlic? After we go swimming?”
“Whew, so long as you promise to brush your teeth before bed.”
“All right!”
He is so easy to please. I wonder when that changes?
Just too tired to write much more tonight except to say that was some fantastic pizza crust from the gluten free baker. They deserve the good reviews they have. Plus I’m trying to get to sleep a little earlier than normal, assuming everyone here in the campground cooperates. Lord some people need to put a leash on their kids, or at least duct tape their mouths if they can’t be at least a little considerate. I know Benny can get loud and I’m trying to remind him of that and help him learn better habits, but at least he doesn’t shriek. Gee whiz.
It isn’t Abby or the Danners. There are two families about three RVs down from us and their kids seem to be feeding off each other. I really don’t mean to be cranky, but that noise is getting on my nerves and I want to be in tip top condition for the drive into Grand Teton, not a crabby auntie. Geez and there they go again, and they bounced a ball off the van this time. Okay, my patience is at an end. Time to talk to the parental units.