what we have here is a failure to communicate

The 2 year old doesn’t get sarcasm yet – when I told her she was pretty talented at being annoying (I’m sure you can conjure any number of scenarios that might have provoked that comment!) she shouted back in her garbled version of English, “I not talented, I MADDY!”

Indeed.

It’s my last night in Georgia. I’m trying to get a grasp on the experience. This trip has been such an awkward balance between exploration and a social visit. Past trips have definitely focused more on the exploration, with small bits of time spent with friends. This has been a new kind of vacation for me, one where my energy was more invested in my friend and her child than in getting to know the area I was visiting. We did a lot of touristy stuff, but a big indication of the difference in trip style can be seen by looking through my pictures and seeing more photographs of the kid than of the scenery!

I really enjoyed all the places we visited, but I don’t feel like I’ve gotten a good grasp of what Atlanta is like – I haven’t learned a lot about the history and culture, things I usually focus on. That’s probably okay. On the other hand I’ve learned, or been reminded of (after all I do have numerous younger siblings), a lot about what it’s like to have a 2 year old in your life – the joys and the…er…trials – and that’s certainly something worth appreciating.

Yesterday I had the opportunity to take the kid around the Fernbank Natural History Museum by myself while her mom ran some errands. It was a wonderful experience. She was really good, and full of energy and delight and interest in the dinosaur bones, the shell collection, the stuffed black bear, etc. I loved spending time with her and seeing her eager, grinning face. Her squeals of pleasure, her wide eyes and her adorable use of the world “Wow!” are things that will make me smile for a long time. I entertained thoughts of what it would be like to have a 2 year old of my own, but in the end I was super relieved to hand her back over to her mom. She’s a little cutie, and a miracle in her own way, but phew! Kids! Yikes!! 🙂

Anyway, it’s been a fun week. I’ve seen and done a lot, gotten my fill of babysitting, consumed 5 milkshakes (I recommend the strawberry shake from Chevy’s Diner if you’re ever in McDonough), and made very little progress in The Savage Detectives. I’ll be sad to wave goodbye to my friend and get one last hug from the kid. Once I get through airport security tomorrow (my biggest travel anxiety – it’s just such a pain!!) I’ll be able to declare that this has been a great trip. Although I’ll probably wish for a vacation to recover from my vacation…I feel recharged, and am ready to sink into the long, cold, cozy Maine winter.

See you again soon Atlanta!