I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again,
Any number of kids is a lot of kids.
But here’s another truth that’s important to share. A truth you will understand if you have any number of children. (Or if you have no number of children and you’re just, you know, conscious and notice stuff.) A truth that stands the test of time.
One child less than the number of children you usually have is a vacation.
Tonight, Greg took our two big kids away. Something about dinner and homework and a weird scheduling thing and not enough time to come home between dance and karate and pretty please, Greg, take both of the bigs and I promise I’ll stay awake late and hold your hand for, like, 15 minutes.
15 minutes??
Minimum.
Deal!
What can I say? Greg’s more motivated when I put out.
In short, I just got a two-hour vacation with only three kids!
Tonight, I donned my Super Duper Short-Order Cook Cape ’cause I was feeling giddy and accommodating what with my unexpected vacation and all.
My three littles ate scrambled eggs, cheddar cheese, baked beans, ranch dressing, graham crackers, filler-laden microwaved pizza bites, Chinese leftovers, and chocolate chips for dinner. Then they played outside. Happily. The whole time. Because this is vacation and miracles happen on vacation.
As my babies scampered and gamboled in our fresh, clean, sunny (see? vacation miracle!) Oregon air, I made myself crêpes lightly drizzled with honey and garnished with frozen blueberries that had only the slightest hint of freezer burn. And I ate my dinner in peace while I read Cooking Light magazine and a somewhat trashy novel about shapeshifters.
Frankly, folks, if that isn’t a vacation for a mama of five kids, I don’t know what is.
That is all.
Except this:
Here’s wishing you respite, whatever form it may take.
xoxo,
Beth
14 responses to “It’s like a 2 hour vacation.”
You speak the truth! And I LOVE picturing you getting to sit down in peace for 5 minutes to read your book and eat a yummy dinner! 🙂 (p.s. i wanna know the title! it sounds interesting!)
I have no children . . . sorry. But I was one of 5 kids and I do remember when my older siblings would be out of the house and it was just me and my little brother and one parent – childhood paradise! A vacation from siblings is also a good thing.
I promise I’ll stay awake late and hold your hand for, like, 15 minutes.
You’re going to ruin it for the rest of us!!!!
**cringing**
I’m so sorry, Cathie! I know, I know – I do tend to set unreasonably high standards that are hard for the average mother and wife to attain. I’m working on it. I promise.
Yes! I also have 5 kids. A 6 yr old son and 3 yr old GGBG quads. My husband and I have a deal that when one of us goes out to run errands, we take 2 kids with us. You can still get a lot done with only 2 with you. You can even drive a normal vehicle!! Then the person staying home has only 3 kids to look after. We have learned that it makes no difference which ones go or stay. Somehow all of the kids behave better. Thank you for explaining it– vacation miracle!
I recently found your blog and love checking in on your beautiful family!
Oh, I’m SO glad you checked in over here, Beth! We Beths with five kids must stick together, yes?
I always giggle that Greg and I went from 1 to 3 to 5 kids. But you’ve got me beat, friend! 1 to 5! I salute you. 😉
I can’t wait to hear more from you.
Beth
I need one of those things, what-didja-call-um?
Vay-cay-shun? I think you’re making it up. I’m going to Google it.
😉
I really do make lots of stuff up. Googling is probably a good call. 😉
Mini vay-cay’s are the sole reason my 3yo (youngest) is in “pre-k” right now. Two days a week, I have 2.5 hours all to myself. Well, it’s actually all to my sister, who is mentally handicapped and lives with us. As you say, less kids is a vay-cay. 😉
Julie! I am sending you all of the respite vibes in my Respite Vibe Arsenal.
You are my hero for being Love to your sister.
There’s a very soft, very tender place in my heart for people who walk the road of loving kids and grown-ups with handicaps. There’s a special kind of exhausted, tenacious bond we share.
I wish you many, many mini vay-cays, buckets of hope, and trickles of resiliency for whenever you need them.
xoxoxo,
Beth
I know what you mean. I look forward to Monday, Tuesday and Thursday mornings when my son has preschool and i can come back home and put the baby doewn for a nap and have peace and quiet to do anything. I. Want. Like take a nap or watch whatevet I want to on tv. Or eat my lunch in total silence, while its hot, without having to share any of it with kids who think that mommys food HAS to be different and better than the stuff on their plate that oddly resembles mommys food, but isn’t nearly as good. Mini vacations are good! Don’t get me wrong: I love my kids, but vacations are good too.
Ha! YES, Kristen. Everything you said. Just YES.
My respite turned out to be not being pushed into planning for labor to be induced tomorrow… Plus helping someone move by taking my 2 almost growns to carry stuff while the other two played on the swingset in the other family’s back yard…. I rock at moving while 38.5 weeks pregnant!
Oh, I love how you helped your friend move, Terri! You’re a helpful AND wise friend.
Congrats on holding off the outward pressure. I’m a big believer in Mama Knows Best… labor when and how YOU’RE ready (well, and the baby should probably get a say, too ;)).