So we are headed to the beach tomorrow and I can't believe how much preparation it takes to get four people packed for a week at the beach. I think I can say my kids are getting easier as far as what we need to take for them...no more highchair, exersaucer, pack n play, etc. (until next year at least!!!) but they still have to take their life vests, noodles, dumptrucks, whole thing of toys, dvd's, you get the picture. It's ALOT of work to get this organized (and I'm not an organized person) and all put together to leave at 9 am - yeah right!
So tonight I started packing the boys in one suitcase - and let me just preface it by saying today my children, especially the youngest, challenged me on so many levels and not in a good way. Today was one of those days where if you drank wine, you'd want a big glass at the end of the day, if you smoked - you'd want a cigarette (I don't even know how to spell that one!), if you're a runner, you'd go for a long run. So it had been that kind of day and I'm exhausted, grumpy and not in the mood for games with the kids (while daddy is letting them splash like crazy in the bath! -Thank goodness for daddies!) So back to the packing - I've got everything in rows in the suitcase - Little man's stack of nice clothes, stack of bathing suits and hats, stack of pajamas, etc. and then I've done the same type of stacks for numero uno. Well, numero uno is walking around the house taking pictures with his camera - an old one that daddy gave him - so I've gotten their bag entirely packed and ready except for a few things to insert in the morning and I'm in my closet starting on my own bag when he (this precious 3 year old) comes and asks me where he can put his camera to take to the beach. I tell him to go open his suitcase in his room and place it in there which he thinks is a great idea! So a few minutes later, he comes back to me and says something about he dumped all the clothes on the floor but it's okay mom, because he put them all back - ARE YOU KIDDING ME? I tried to remain calm but I was done for the day - I looked at him - still calm and said "sweetie, I hope you are teasing me right now" to which he replies "no mom, but it's okay! I put them all back!" I go to inspect the situation and he has tried to "bring" me the suitcase so it's in the hall and everything is NOT put back and what is put back is literally thrown into the suitcase - no more neat stacks, no more separated by child - deep breath in, deep breath out. I managed to put the little man to bed and come back to this and I had calmed down but once I sat down to redo this bag, i got so bugged all over again!!! Needless to say, I've completely refolded everything and we are good to go!
I have a newfound respect for my parents - which I think happens many times over when you become a parent yourself! But all those years of family vacations where I did nothing but got in the car - I couldn't be more thankful for those now even though I completely took them for granted then! I don't want to complain and moan and have that be all my kids remember! I want them to just remember getting in the car and having great memories each year at the beach with their family. Lord, please grant me patience!
So our journey in the car (which is an entire "journey" in itself!) begins tomorrow at 9 am. Plenty of turning around, handing back drinks, food, toys, books, paci's, cars, etc....Lord, please grant me patience! This too shall pass and I know I'll miss these days! Help me to cherish every moment and not take one for granted. Help me to enjoy this year with just my TWO boys at the beach before we bring another member into this family and my time is shared between three. Help me to enjoy a vacation for what it is....just that, a vacation....even though at times, I feel like it's just another location!
I'll post pictures when we return! Happy week to all!
