I have decided to get real about vacations from now on and stop living in my fantasy world. You know, the fairy tale vacation that goes like this:
I am packed way ahead of time and my house is completely clean and organized as we head to the car. The kids are sound asleep for several hours and when they wake up they are healthy, grateful, and easy going. They have very little need to eat or use the restroom.
My husband has been a huge help and ensures that we leave on time. He is so thankful for all I’ve done to get ready that he insists on driving most of the way so I can rest. He trusts my navigating completely and spends the whole trip telling me how beautiful I am and telling me I can go wherever I would like to eat.
When we arrive, the weather is idyllic and the kids jump to help unload the car. They tell me, “Well sleep with whoever you want us to, Mom.” They follow up with, “Mom, go ahead and put the video games away. We just want to enjoy God’s creation and time with our friends.” No one gets bored or sunburned.
I just love that story, don’t you?
I would so like to plug in a 50’s song by the Everly Brothers called, “Dream, Dream Dream!” What was Nick’s problem, being silly or mad?
Just another day in our house!
Sounds familiar, only we don’t even get to the ‘vacation’ part. Love the way this is written. If this were a scene in a movie, it would be all fuzzy and dreamlike and the kids would all be dressed in crisp white and dancing in the sand in slow motion.
I think we should also look great in our swimsuit and come back thinner than we were when we left.
Vacations are often more exhausting than real life when you have kids. Kind of like Christmas with lots of sand and sun but without people being on their best behavior. Having high expectations sure makes the lows seem lower doesn’t it?
Jacqueline, just another reminder to leave my expectations at home!
Instead you have the chicken leg story and chicken pox to boot. Maybe one day your vacations will measure up to your expectations. At least you didn’t run into Hurricane Katrina like the last time we went on vacation…we haven’t ventured out of state since.
OMG I LOVE THIS. I love particularly the statement about him trusting your navigation. It rules.