Father's Day

D -4
Katie & I frequently talk about how this is such a fantastic bunch of kids. This probably isn't needed but I want to remind everyone to break out from or expand your traditional friend group as we travel. First, this makes the trip more enjoyable for everyone. No one feels slighted or left out and you don't get tired of and irritable with those that are your good friends. Second, you'll make a whole new group of good friends. More importantly it's a safety issue. One traveler almost got left atop the Eiffel Tower because she wasn't part of a group and no one was watching out for her. Another time a traveler spent the first week of her trip wandering on her own. I was upset with her for breaking the rules, angry with the other travelers that had consistently excluded her, and furious with myself that it took so long to notice. Look around, pay attention and invite others to join you on your excursions.

We just had our Father's Day celebration. The kids got George a t-shirt that says 'Stud Muffin' though there's more muffin than anything these days. I'm grateful for a husband that is willing to let me take off for a month to explore the world with a bunch of teenagers. I'm also grateful to all the parents for trusting me with those teenagers.