My nephew Jake normally has it rough on our road trips.  He is the only male traveling with all of us girls.  Until, we reach our cheerleading destination because then it is Girls, Girls, Girls!

We had just arrived to our hotel and my sister, a few of the girls and Jake went to their room and we went to ours.   After everyone got settled all the girls came to my room leaving Jake in the room by himself.  I decided to walk down to see what he was doing and as I’m approaching the room I hear a loud noise of thumping and bouncing or jumping.  Jake has always been the type of kid that if you are around him you will hear 128 times  ”Jacob stop”, “Jacob please”, “Jacob that is enough”.   Poor Jake.

I walk in their room and there is Jake having a great time skateboarding.  Yes, skateboarding in the hotel room.  He was flipping it, jumping off it and actually skateboarding.  I asked Jake to please stop and explained  that this is a nice hotel and I’m sure they do not allow skateboarding in the room.  If someone hears him they will call security.  I go back to my room and I hear him again.  So I told my sister she better get down there before security comes up.   Then I had a better idea…

I decided to call Jacob’s room and pretend I’m the hotel security officer.

Me in my deepest voice:  Hello, this is the hotel security.  I understand from a few of our guest that someone in your room has a skateboard and is skateboarding.

Jake:  Um, no sir.

Me:  Son, I am in the room under yours and I know that is a skateboard.  We have had this problem before and it is not tolerated at this hotel.  Are you the one with the skateboard?

Jake:  Um, No.

Me:  Can you tell me who has the skateboard in your room?

Jake:  I’m not sure.

Me (I’m really trying so hard not to laugh-while all the girls are laughing):  Son, I suggest you bring your skateboard to the 1st floor and I will meet you in the security office.  Please bring your parent with you.  Thank you and I will see you shortly.

Jake: O.k.

We are all trying not to laugh while Jake slowly walks in our room with his skateboard behind him like a tail between his legs.  Jake explains that someone just called their room and told him to bring his skateboard to security.  His mother asked ”Why is that?”   He said ”I don’t know, they just said someone had a skateboard and for me to bring it to the security office.”  His mother asked “Were you riding it in the room?” Jake answered “Not that much.”

I can’t tell you how hard it was to control our laughter.  So I say, ”Jake, I told you security was going to catch you.”  Jake’s sister decides to join in and said, “Jake you are always getting into trouble, you better go take it to security before they come get you.”  Jake looks at his Mom and said, “Mom, I’m not going down there, you go.”  She replied with, “Get your skateboard and let’s go.”  By the look on his face we just couldn’t hold in our laughter. 

We didn’t have a problem with the skateboard anymore and we had a great time watching all the cheerleaders perform.  My niece’s cheer team placed 1st and we were then headed to Kansas. 

One thing I would like to mention about Jake, he is very, let’s say busy all of the time.  But Jake is one of the most loving and affectionate kids.

Road Trip - Kansas - Cheers, Beers & How to Read a Map, on next week’s The Hunter’s Wife.