I’m an idealist by nature. I expect plans to go perfectly. I build things up in my mind with the expectation that I will be met with calm waters and smooth sailing from start to finish. Recipe for disaster, I know, but I just can’t help myself.
Fairy tales were made for people like me. In my world the princess always gets her prince, the good guy always wins, and everyone rides toward the sunset on beautiful white unicorns. Yep, that’s just how I roll. So, of course, when we planned a weekend away with the kids I had visions of family bonding that included a lot of laughter, an abundance of relaxation, quiet moments filled with great conversation and entertaining moments that will leave memories embedded in our hearts forever.
I’m not asking for too much and just by looking at the pictures it seems clear. . . the weekend delivered. . .
We left the house Friday afternoon and headed to our hotel. We had built this weekend up for the kids since Christmas and, needless to say, they were excited. Excited, but I’m not real sure whose enthusiasm was greater–theirs or mine. (Enter: fairy tales and unicorns).
Our plan was to hang out at the hotel, swim in the pool, go out to eat, and the highlight of the weekend would be the science center on Saturday. Simple, but still special.
During the hour and a half drive toward our destination I think we heard, can we go swimming first, about 123 times.
We just barely got them to change out of their clothes and into their swimming attire before racing toward the hotel’s pool. (Insert lecture on public decency).
We hung out by the pool every chance we got. Well, some were by the pool, some were in the pool, and some were soaring above the pool. . .
The pool? It delivered.
After a morning dip in the pool on Saturday we headed toward the science center where we would spend the day with friends. From electrostatic energy to space travel and from the human body to cool gadgets, Charlie and Chanelle took it all in and loved it.
It really was an excellent time overall. After the museum and a meal out with our friends we had some exhausted kids on our hands.
Exhausted, but never too exhausted for some more pool time.
What you don’t see in these images is Chanelle waking up with a fever, cough and stuffy nose. You don’t see Meadow peeking over the top of her pack and play all night long for two nights in a row and singing dadadadadada and mamamamama. What you don’t see is Meadow grabbing the end of the toilet paper and doing laps around the hotel suite. What you don’t see is popcorn fallen all over our hotel room floor. (We did clean it up.) What you don’t see is two seconds after getting into the pool, Chanelle deciding that she needs to go to the bathroom. What you don’t see is a baby who was eventually brought to the (king size bed) of two parents and somehow there is only enough room for her. What you don’t see is a lost hotel room key. What you don’t see is two tired parents who fight really hard every second not to collapse from exhaustion.
Pictures are nice, but there really is the “rest of the story.”
A funny thing happens, though. All of that “other stuff”? It really adds up to a miniscule amount. It pales in comparison to the good stuff. The real stuff. . . the smiles, the laughter, the looks of joy on faces of little ones–these are the things that stick with us.
This was made clear during our second sleepless night with Meadow. At about 2 a.m., after listening to her cries, whimpers and whines, we finally turned on the t.v. in hopes that a little light might help her sleep. As soon as Chad and I laid eyes on her tiny frame engulfed by the king size bed, everything seemed okay. She smiled up at us and Chad and I just laughed. It’s really hard to be frustrated with her when you can see her, I told him.
This little life. . . No, these little lives. . . make it all worth it. We may be far from the perfection of fairy tales but we are what we are and truly. . .
This is so true! How funny that we both chose the same weekend to get out of town for a bit. 😉
We had our moments too, but honestly, outside of V standing in his pack n play screaming "Eh" for Evelyn (who was sleeping next to him) to wake up over and over, I can't remember the rest of our 'troubles'. When we settled in at home Sunday night, Steve said, "You know, that was the first vacation where it felt like more fun, than work." I couldn't agree more. All we remember are the smiles, the laughs, the sheer joy and FUN we all had. In the end, that's all that matters. 😉
Glad you had a fantastic family weekend!
Oh and I'm not ignoring you regarding our next lunch…busy, busy…and well, I'm sick again! THAT was the other 'trouble' on vacation. Mama got the germs…again. Oy. I'll contact you soon!
That looks like SO much fun!!! Some times you just need this, to get away.
Look at your little fishes, I can't wait to take Henry to a big pool this summer during our FIRST family vacation!
Such great memories 🙂
And I totally agree about the fairy tale mentality. If Henry has taught me anything….and he teaches me EVERY day, it is that even the things that may not go as planned and are not perfect, can turn into some of the best memories!