When we found out we were moving to Ireland, I bought a kids’ version of a world map. I wanted to look at it with Isaac and at least attempt to give him a concept of where Ireland is, where Europe is, the distance from Seattle, etc. I had visions of us poring over the map together, choosing places we wanted to see, and then carefully hanging the pristine map on the wall and adding pins or stickers to it whenever we went to a new place. It would all be very perfect and “Pinterest-like.” 😉

Well…in reality we ended up taking it out only occasionally  (often to be grabbed at and ripped unintentionally by Rafi who wanted to get involved), and then inevitably we’d roll it up and stuff it into some closet or drawer for the next six months or so. 

So I was surprised when, the other day, Isaac was wondering where South America is and then said “oh yeah, we can grab the map we have and check.” (Um, yes, just a minute while I remember where we last hid it away). After a little digging, we found it and spread it out on the floor. Then Isaac decided he wanted to make his own “map” (a list and drawings) of the countries we’ve visited and what he remembers from them. I was so curious to find out what he would say — what has stood out for him from various places? What will he keep with him from these adventures? In the moment, the travels can seem amazing some days and then, other days, traveling with kids can make you seriously question your sanity 😁 I do think in the bigger picture that it’s all worth it, but it’s hard to believe that sometimes, so it’s cool to see a little evidence and affirmation of an excitement for travel and to get a glimpse into Isaac’s memories. 

Together we made a list of countries he has been to since moving to Ireland and then he got to work thinking of what he remembered and/or liked best and drawing a picture of it. It turned into a day-long project and was really exciting (to me anyway!) to see what he came up with and that it was all self-motivated. After he finished the countries he had been to, he even wanted to draw pictures of the places Jeff and I had been before he was born. 

A few common themes that emerge are various modes of transportation and beach/swimming. The things that stand out to a 5 year old! It was hard to capture all of the illustrations (or in some cases to tell what they are 😊) but here’s the list (in no particular order):

• Belgium: boat ride on the canals in Bruges
• Portugal: going to the beach 
• Austria: horse and carriage ride 
• Croatia: playing “jail” on the walls of Dubrovnik 
• Montenegro: the colorful necklace we bought for Mama
• Bosnia and Herzegovina: the bunk bed in the apartment we stayed in 
• France: seeing the Eiffel Tower
• England: riding a red double decker bus 
• Morocco: riding a camel
• Tenerife, Canary Islands: riding a submarine and swimming in the pool 
• Denmark: going on a roller coaster 12 times at Tivoli Garden
• Northern Ireland: the Titanic Museum 
• Scotland: “it was cold and rained” 😊 
• Ireland: playing at the park

I’m excited to see what he might come up with next!