Back to Reality

WOW…not sure if it’s the loomingTO DO list, the mass loads of laundry or the cold weather that has me with an increasing case of the post-vacation blues. Probably a little of both.

As I sit here typing thinking about the old grind starting again tomorrow, I can’t help but reflect on an amazing vacation! We had such a great time. Just to have the boys out of the house for an extended period of time, in a new environment was amazing. Top it off with the warm sunshine, pool, beach and loving family around at all times and it was perfect. We all had a ball. Now, I will say, I’m battling the boys who were overly “spoiled” all week. I’ve been told that family vacations can be hard on kids for the simple fact that there is always someone there to meet their every need. One little peep and someone is coming to their rescue. It’s been a bit of a reality check for them too!

The kids did great on the trip. They adapted very well to change and didn’t miss a beat. Lots of firsts for them this trip: first airplane ride, first beach trip, first swim in a pool, first Easter, first time spending much time with big cousin Emily, first time sleeping in a pack-n-play, and best of all, first time leaving home for more than 3 hours! They loved it. The plane rides both ways were great (I think we just got extremely lucky). On the way down, they were awake about half of the flight and smiled and played with everyone around us. On the way home, they slept from the minute we boarded until the minute we landed. And I didn’t even drug them for the flight!

Easter was a bit tougher than I imagined. Actually, I didn’t think too much about it until it arrived and that morning I found myself a bit sad; finally I realized that I was really missing baby Cal. It seems to hit me at the strangest times; when I least expect it. I guess it was a culmination of things – when you let your guard down and relax a bit, those things tend to creep up on you. Top that off with being with our family, on a special holiday, with Easter baskets etc. and it was very evident to me that day that he was missing. Probably better to “feel” those emotions than not…just took me a bit by surprise.

So, back to the grind this week. Vacations like that make me appreciate all that we have and all that we are able to do. It’s hard to complain about being back because there are lots of people who don’t even have the opportunity to go on vacation. Vacations are certainly a luxury that I have grown to appreciate…

Lets just hope that the sunshine followed us home and this cold rain is on it’s way out!