We’ve been busy over here in the Rabbit household. Not busy making any new bunnies, mind you, but just busy doing life. Although, as busy as we’ve been, life is about to get a whole lot crazier, because we’re about to pick up and move across the country!
Mister Rabbit, if you remember, is in the military and because of that, we move pretty often. We thought Georgia was going to be home for at least another year, but the military had different plans, because we’re actually moving to southern California in just two short months!
We are beyond excited about this move, because even though we have wonderful friends where we live now and we love our home, we’re over the moon about all the different possibilities San Diego will have for us. Sidewalks, parks around (almost) every corner, the beach (!!), lots of play groups, ample places for date nights, etc. We’re already seeing our new city through rose-tinted glasses.
Bunny (3 years) is pretty excited, too. I don’t think she fully grasps the concept of moving, but she keeps asking if she can take stuff with her. I’m assuring her that everything is coming with us, but she keeps double checking about different, specific things. She also gets really excited when people bring up the move and tells them that we’re moving there, “tomorrow.” Her sister, BunBun (1 year,) could care less, of course.
My list of things to do before we move gets longer by the day, but I know it’s all doable. We also just found a house to rent, so that’s one huge stress reliever that I can check off our list. Other than that, our main goal between now and when the movers come is to figure out our road trip. We’re going to take our sweet time getting to California by making a nice, long road trip out of it. The girls usually do well for the many road trips we’ve already taken them on, so I’m crossing my fingers the streak will continue.
Our road-trip plan is to make a vacation out of it. We’re taking the long and slow route—which really is the only way to go when you’re traveling cross country with two kids under three and a dog! The plan is to drive for a day, spend the night in a new city and then stay there and explore the next day. We’re expecting the whole journey to take a little under two weeks.
Our tentative plan is to stop in the following cities:
- Nashville, Tennessee
- St. Louis, Missouri
- Kansas City, Kansas
- Colorado Springs, Colorado
- St. George, Utah
- Las Vegas, Nevada
Besides getting to see new parts of America, I’m excited because my parents are even coming out for the adventure! We’re going to rent a mini van and caravan across the country with them. We own a Ford Escape, but cramming the four of us, our dog, and whatever essentials we want to take with us inside our smaller-sized SUV would be extremely cramped. When we broached the idea of them coming along with us, they jumped at the opportunity. My favorite part about them coming along is that now we’ll have built-in babysitters if Mister Rabbit and I decide to go on a date night in a new city!
Do you live in one of the ares on our road trip? I’d love to know some fun, family things to do on our day off!
Since my mind is very focused these days on things I need to do, I haven’t had much time to think about things I want to do (like write on here and share our adventures). I’d love to hear from you about things you’d like to know regarding our move. Would you like to know more about how the military moves families? Maybe you want to hear about our plans for the road trip with the girls? Or perhaps you’re curious what we looked for in getting a new home? And if you’ve done a similar cross-country move before—tell me all about it and how you stayed sane with little kids!
bananas / 9229 posts
I don’t know if you follow blogs but The Fitnessista’s husband is in the AF, I believe (Air Force, not Aunt Flow
). They were in GA, then AZ and most recently/now in San Diego! She has all sorts of blog posts on things to do in the area.
pomelo / 5628 posts
PM me if you’d like to talk specific parts of SD. I grew up right by Miramar and live close to there now. Not sure where your DH is stationed. But I’ve lived in SD my whole life. You’ll love it!
nectarine / 2987 posts
I’m in one of your cities!
blogger / apricot / 439 posts
I’m from St. Louis and highly recommend the City Museum. It’s a wacky, weird and fun place, with or without kids!!
guest
Garden of the gods!
pea / 15 posts
I’m in SD too! It’s such a beautiful city that is kid and DOG friendly. Also doesn’t hurt to know that there are a lot of great places to eat and explore. Good luck with the move. I think it would be great to see the kid friendly places you would recommend so that other mamas can check those places out too. Good luck!
apricot / 442 posts
I live in Sacramento, but will tell you that California, and in particular Southern California, although expensive, is literally heaven on earth :). Welcome!
guest
The St. Louis zoo is FREE and amazing. As are all of the other museums in Forest Park.
If you like barbecue, stop at Joe’s in Kansas City. The original is in a gas station!
guest
I’m from St. Louis and I second the City Museum. I also highly recommend the Missouri Botanical Garden. They have a great Children’s Garden.
blogger / clementine / 750 posts
@LindsayInNY: Just added her to my blog list, thanks! Too funny that she’s in SD after living in Georgia, too
@Mrs Green Grass: Keep an eye out for a PM from me
@Mrs. Starfish: Perfect! thanks for the rec—adding it to my list of places to hopefully check out!
@mamalolo: We are so excited! I think I also heard that there’s a dog beach there? I need to look into that more. And yes, I plan on getting the kids involved in things quickly so we can just jump right into a new routine!
@MrsBeluga: Oh, the cost of living is outrageous! I’m already nervous for our wallet. But, it’s a small price to pay (literally) for how much I hear people love it there!
@anna and @rachel: I LOVE free places, and zoos are always a great place to visit! And the children’s garden sounds great!
nectarine / 2210 posts
I’d love to here more about the road trip. Both the logistics of it all and the fun things you did. Good luck!
blogger / nectarine / 2043 posts
Where in SD are you going to be? One of my best friends lives in Ocean Beach, also a military wife, with a 2.5 year old boy and 4.5 year old girl. I’d be happy to introduce you guys.
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My mom lives in KC so we go their monthly. Check out the model train exhibit at Union Station ($2 for parking, free admission), Science City is there too but maybe geared to a bit of an older kid. Fritz’s is a great train theme restaurant. Food is mediocre at best, but your kids will flip! Deanna Rose farmstead is amazing! Free admission during the week and minimal cost on the weekend. Paradise Park is super fun also, it’s in Lee’s Summit. There’s also Lego land and the Sea Life Aquarium. Waldo Pizza is great (they have a lunch buffet) or Kansas City Joe’s or Arthur Bryant’s for BBQ. I also love Jack Stack for a bit “fancier” BBQ. Let me know if you want more suggestions.
blogger / clementine / 750 posts
@Miss Ariel: As soon as I figure out the logistics, I’ll post them here! I love planning road trips
@Mrs. Carrot: I’d rather not mention the exact place he’ll be on here, but I’ll send you a message
Would love to get together with another mom with kids of similar ages!
@E – you’re a rockstar!!! So many excellent suggestions, THANK YOU! I’m writing them all down
kiwi / 506 posts
Hey! I’m in SD county and have a 3yo and 1yo too! Welcome to the area … You will love all the fun things there are to do with young kiddos
cherry / 209 posts
Oh exciting. The one thing that stands out about San Diego for me is Phil’s BBQ… I still dream about those ribs…
pear / 1696 posts
Excited for this update! I’m always intersted to hear what your family is up to.
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Army family making the same move! We are on the coast of GA and will be taking I-10 through Texas, NM and AZ. Good luck, hope your HHGs make it in one piece! Also, expect BAH sticker shock. Time to downsize.
kiwi / 584 posts
in Colorado Springs :
http://caveofthewinds.com/
and totally Garden of the Gods
blogger / clementine / 750 posts
@rrachael: Hey! We’re like two birds of a feather
I see that you’re a teacher out there—any recommendations for preschools that won’t cost an arm and a leg in the Northern SD area?!
@Mrs Music: jotting that place down!
@lady grey: aww, thank you! I’ll try to post more often
@Mrs. Bruin: oh, we know that south route all too well! We’re from NM, so that’s the way we’d always drive home to GA. This time, though, we told our family we’d like to see other parts of America
And yes…I’m realllllly not looking forward to the cost of living out there. YIKES!
@Mrs. Pickles: Garden of the Gods is one of my favorite places. We’re planning on two days in CS—I’ve been there dozens of times, but my husband’s never been, so I’m excited to take him there!