Mama's Got A Brand New Bag...To Pack
Ah, vacation with the family. Video's of togetherness and loving moments shared. Places you've explored and people that you meet. These are a few of my favorite things, until dinner time, events, and any sort of "me time" that you might need for the sake of sanity alone. I did more dishes on our last vacation than I've done in most weeks at home. I also did laundry, and while nobody made me do it, I didn't want to come home with a weeks worth of smelly clothes that would trail it's unique bouquet through the car and the house. Mama needs a vacation from the vacation. I may be wrong, but I think most Moms' do.
When we were child free, vacation was no hassle, there were no sleeping schedules or feeding schedules to worry about. The hubby and I could meander and explore without the stress of worrying that someone would fall off of Mile High Swinging Bridge, or into the Thames, depending on where we were fortunate enough to be. Baby one came and our car exploded into a mess of disposable diapers, bottles, a bouncy seat and a portable crib. Even though baby one was nine years old when baby two came along, the explosion of stuff was even more out of hand. Our last vacation, we invited a friend for each child to bring along. While that decision was a good call, and so worth it for our kid's memories, the calls of "MOM!" did not cease, nor did they decrease, and how, how on earth could there be any time to be bored?
My parents gave us what I thought were great vacations, back in the day. In no uncertain terms we were told that we had an entire ocean in front of us, and that boredom would be our own doing. Would my kids ever know the kick out of turning the pillow over to the "cool side," or the bliss of falling asleep while listening to waves crash through an open window? Then my kids did the unexpected. While I still carted them around, or helped them google and schedule events, they surprised me.
My daughter and her friend were pretty much self sufficient, they went white water rafting and explored waterfalls and caverns nearby. I bit my fingernails down to the nubs. I imagined head injuries and any awful water incident that could occur. When they came back hungry and exhilarated, I'd have cooked anything to keep them there and safe, except that I was tired by the other two. Not that they were demanding or anything, but two 12 year old boys come with a different reality. Like way too much energy and the ability to keep going long after the sun had set. We actually declared an "Adult Zone" on the million mile wide deck. All that space, and the boys were right in our faces with a gazillion questions, most dealing with what they could do next. Then my daughter would surprise me, and take the kids into town, or come up with swimming games to keep the boys busy. When did she get so dang cool?
The boys were fascinated by the rubber ice cube trays in the freezer. The cabin had a great refrigerator, without and ice maker, and both boys actually wanted to fill the trays, and crack them when they were ready. In no time at all, the ice bin was full to almost overflowing. The first day we went into town, the boys entered an antique/consignment shop. I followed, praying that they wouldn't break up the joint, and that my son's "new" deep voice wouldn't boom all over the shop. What happened instead was they were enthralled by all things old, yet somehow very new to them. I followed the voices, giving them the leeway to shop, and watched in shocked silence, while they both negotiated the prices on the items they had picked. Where they picked that up, I don't know, but it was great to witness.
Most days, they were in the pool by three in the afternoon, unless it rained. They had a trail ride for two hours one day, and as they rode off with the trail guide, on horses that I was sure were way too big for them, I watched them with a lump in my throat. When had these two playmates become so big? Where had the time gone? I thought of my Mama, and all she did for us. Cooking for comfort, vacations with ease because she packed, letting us grow, move away, come back home, and grow some more, and gratitude overwhelmed me. How could I ever again think of myself without all of my children there with me? Mama may be tired, but vacation with the kids comes with caring, planning, cooking and cleaning, along with the many cries of "MOM!" While I'd love to get away, it can never be for long. Baby one and two are branded in my being, whether they like it or not, and as long as they'll have me, I'll be there, bags packed.
When we were child free, vacation was no hassle, there were no sleeping schedules or feeding schedules to worry about. The hubby and I could meander and explore without the stress of worrying that someone would fall off of Mile High Swinging Bridge, or into the Thames, depending on where we were fortunate enough to be. Baby one came and our car exploded into a mess of disposable diapers, bottles, a bouncy seat and a portable crib. Even though baby one was nine years old when baby two came along, the explosion of stuff was even more out of hand. Our last vacation, we invited a friend for each child to bring along. While that decision was a good call, and so worth it for our kid's memories, the calls of "MOM!" did not cease, nor did they decrease, and how, how on earth could there be any time to be bored?
My parents gave us what I thought were great vacations, back in the day. In no uncertain terms we were told that we had an entire ocean in front of us, and that boredom would be our own doing. Would my kids ever know the kick out of turning the pillow over to the "cool side," or the bliss of falling asleep while listening to waves crash through an open window? Then my kids did the unexpected. While I still carted them around, or helped them google and schedule events, they surprised me.
My daughter and her friend were pretty much self sufficient, they went white water rafting and explored waterfalls and caverns nearby. I bit my fingernails down to the nubs. I imagined head injuries and any awful water incident that could occur. When they came back hungry and exhilarated, I'd have cooked anything to keep them there and safe, except that I was tired by the other two. Not that they were demanding or anything, but two 12 year old boys come with a different reality. Like way too much energy and the ability to keep going long after the sun had set. We actually declared an "Adult Zone" on the million mile wide deck. All that space, and the boys were right in our faces with a gazillion questions, most dealing with what they could do next. Then my daughter would surprise me, and take the kids into town, or come up with swimming games to keep the boys busy. When did she get so dang cool?
The boys were fascinated by the rubber ice cube trays in the freezer. The cabin had a great refrigerator, without and ice maker, and both boys actually wanted to fill the trays, and crack them when they were ready. In no time at all, the ice bin was full to almost overflowing. The first day we went into town, the boys entered an antique/consignment shop. I followed, praying that they wouldn't break up the joint, and that my son's "new" deep voice wouldn't boom all over the shop. What happened instead was they were enthralled by all things old, yet somehow very new to them. I followed the voices, giving them the leeway to shop, and watched in shocked silence, while they both negotiated the prices on the items they had picked. Where they picked that up, I don't know, but it was great to witness.
Most days, they were in the pool by three in the afternoon, unless it rained. They had a trail ride for two hours one day, and as they rode off with the trail guide, on horses that I was sure were way too big for them, I watched them with a lump in my throat. When had these two playmates become so big? Where had the time gone? I thought of my Mama, and all she did for us. Cooking for comfort, vacations with ease because she packed, letting us grow, move away, come back home, and grow some more, and gratitude overwhelmed me. How could I ever again think of myself without all of my children there with me? Mama may be tired, but vacation with the kids comes with caring, planning, cooking and cleaning, along with the many cries of "MOM!" While I'd love to get away, it can never be for long. Baby one and two are branded in my being, whether they like it or not, and as long as they'll have me, I'll be there, bags packed.
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