Family vacation. To Florida. I wish I could muster up a little more excitement. When did vacation become more work then every day life? The packing, the flights, the sleeping arrangements and time differences, the lack of routine it all adds up to a big-NO THANK YOU, in my book, and yet it must be done. My in-laws are snowbirds and now own a home in Venice Beach Florida. It is important to them that we visit, and the kids are really looking forward to it. I on the other hand am exhausted just thinking about it.
It isn't a vacation. Please, for the love of God, do not call it a vacation.
A vacation involves sleeping in.
It involves cocktails by the pool and reading trashy novels.
A vacation means fancy food at fancy restaurants. (Where appetizers are not served with a side of crayons)
A vacation is when someone else makes your bed and cleans your room.
It is pina coladas at 11am, and Coronas at 4.
A vacation is not:
Lugging 3 car seats, 3 suitcases, 4 carry-ons, a double stroller, a baby and 2 kids through an airport.
Sleeping with 2 kids in your bed and waking every few hours to comfort an out-of-sorts 10 month old.
Packing 3 bags of snacks, sand toys, diapers, clothes, towels, and lunches for a 2 hour trip to the beach.
Spending the entire time at the beach monitoring sunscreen applications and sand consumption.
Doing a load of laundry a day.
Let's set the record straight. I'm not going on vacation. I'm taking a family trip. Two very different things.....
Wish me luck.
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LOL, I wish my family and friends would read this post! I'm pretty sure my parents' memories of "vacations" have turned into rainbows, because it seems like nobody realizes all the WORK that goes into it.
ReplyDeleteYou know what? Drop the kids with the in-laws at dawn, go on the beach by yourself with a trashy novel and a few cocktails. Bask in the sun and the laissez-faire of no kids. Then, have a fancy date with the hubs sans crayons. Return to your in-laws after bedtime and say "screw you" to the laundry.
I know, it's one day, but even just one day helps. :)
Oh, and good luck!
ReplyDeleteSorry for all the comments, but I just read something right after reading your post. The best part of the article is "And children of all ages will have to accept that their parents and grandparents sometimes need some time alone—even in the middle of a family vacation."
ReplyDeletehttp://disneydestinations.msn.com/articles/5/32731749
Man I'm lucky- my in laws live in Florida and when we visit they make it a vacation for us- try and have a good time- ask for a date night.
ReplyDeleteSand consumption ! Love it!
ReplyDeleteWell said - I just got back from a 5 day "vacation" in Maui. Ok - get the image of drinks on the beach out of your head. Instead picture me trying to sleep on the lumpy sofabed in the 2 bedroom condo with my parents in one room and the three girls in the other room. And the girls all have colds so each night I was up at least 3 times administering cough medicine so they wouldn't wake up my dad. But everyone at work gets mad at you if you don't say, "it was fabulous, amazing, so fun!" So I hear you girl.
ReplyDeleteWhat we do for our Husbands?! He owes you a real vacation after this ;P
ReplyDelete