Finley Tour 2008

One of the things you learn very quickly as a parent – especially when the kids are very young – is that you are basically just the road managers and chaperones for this little rock star.

It’s true. You may have created this little wonder and may even be slightly responsible for all the little cute things she does, but when it gets down to it, you’re left off stage to watch the show from the wings.

It doesn’t matter who you’re going to visit or what relationship you have with them, even your own mother will knock you down to get to the kid. All you can do is make sure they are cleaned up and dressed well. Once you’ve arrived at the gig, you might as well just check out the food.

But that’s okay. Soon enough, the kid won’t be quite as cute or endearing and fall from the charts as the next baby boy band pulls for everyone’s attention. If you’re lucky you’ll get to see relatives every two or three years and get a little attention. But that’s what reunion tours are all about.

We just went through the rock star experience on a trip to Pennsylvania to visit Heather’s side of the family. Finley Tour 2008 – The East Coast leg – kicked off on a VERY long Saturday of flying from Seattle to Erie, PA. It’s a long story, but in a nutshell, we had one airline push us back for mechanical difficulties and we spent a few more hours in Philadelphia – because of weather – than we wanted.

And before we had time to recover from jet lag, the following day found us celebrating Father’s Day showing off the Diva to Pennsylvania kin. You’d think they’d never seen a baby before. Then again, we were hanging out at Heather’s grandparent’s house in Spring Creek Township (pop. 872), with most folks coming from the nearby metropolis of Corry (pop. 7,000). At any rate, the Finley show was in full effect and our little star did not disappoint.

I wasn’t too sure how well she would do with so many people giving her so much attention, but she was able to put together some moves I had never seen before, including a few little dance moves that had the crowd rolling. Then it was “Good night, Spring Creek” (around 7:30pm) and the starlet was whisked off stage to her private pack-n-play.

Of course, after such a busy start to the week, she settled in to life in the country, warming up to her great grandparents and her aunt and cousins who couldn’t get enough. She was in a good mood all week and was even able to say a few words including “Mama” and “Bompa” – the pet names for Heather’s grandparents.

All in all, we had a relaxing trip and after a few tears and another weather delay in Detroit, we were on the final 4-1/2 hour leg of the tour. After entertaining much of the last few rows of the plane, the Finley entourage returned home, safely.

So, as we re-adjust to West Coast time and settle back in to our quiet little life, far from the white-hot spotlight of Spring Creek we know we’re just energizing our batteries for the next trip the big cities of Montesano or Oak Harbor – and all stops in between. And as long as she has Momma and Poppa as her roadies, I’m pretty sure our little rock star will continue to shine for quite some time.