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Most Smartest Mommy ITW (In The World)
Tales from the Frontlines of Motherhood
About kellimwheeler


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March 06, 2008
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November 17, 2009
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Trip vs. Vacation

Don’t hate me because I’m writing this from the beach.

 

Okay, go ahead.

 

But before you move on, let me paint my picture for you, because I want to give hope to mothers everywhere who are still taking “trips” rather than “vacations” when they try to travel with their children.

 

That used to be me.

 

I will never forget that first major “vacation” Hubby and I took with our two kids under two. We were going only an hour and a half up the hill to Lake Tahoe. But not only was our Ford Explorer filled to capacity with diapers, toys, strollers, baby food, baby supplies (there is not enough room here to list everything, so I’ll stop now), we had to buy a cargo carrier for the roof to get it all in.

 

As we were pulling out of the driveway I asked Hubby, “So are you excited for our first vacation as a family?”

 

“This is not a vacation,” he growled at me, “this is a trip.”

 

And for years to come we would have many more trips.

 

But as I sit here on a deck overlooking an Aptos beach on a glorious 90 degree day, a cold beer at my elbow and BBQ sausages on the grill I’m looking over at my children. Watching them contentedly throw a ball around after digging in the sand for sand crabs and playing in the surf for hours, I’ve realized – I have finally arrived.

 

It is truly a vacation. There is relaxation. I can sit for long stretches without having to entertain, district or hover over my children. The balance has finally swung in my favor where it is actually more fun than work now to try and take a holiday with the kids.

 

And the only reason I put fingers to keyboard at this very moment is to give myself an electronic pinch that this moment is reality and not fantasy. That there will be a record somewhere that this is actually happening, because I thought it never would. I also want to give my comrades in the trenches of motherhood a ray of hope, that those dark days of trips will one day dawn into a glorious, magnificent vacation.

 

Actually, really, as I’m hoisting another beer, I’m indulging in the fantasy that I am a New York Times best-selling author and this is how I write my novels.

 

               

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posted by kellimwheeler on Friday, May 16, 2008 at 06:47 PM
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5 comments from 5 users

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posted by Rinkus68 on May 16, 2008 at 07:18 PM

Hallelujah!!!!   You have arrived!   You go girl!!!   I'm sure you will have many many more VACATIONS and the beach is the BEST place to go.  The ocean is God's playground and the kids entertain themselves!  You get to drink your beer, read a book, record your "moment", etc.!!!   I too enjoy a beach vacation WITH my daughter and I'm so excited for you.  Hopefully you'll still be there for a few days... it's hot as HE..L here - so enjoy your ocean breeze!  Have a great time and a safe trip home!

posted by hmoeckli on May 17, 2008 at 01:21 PM
Yeah, you seem like a very nice person but I am harboring thoughts of extreme jealously right now. :) At least you give me hope.
posted by AmandaS on May 18, 2008 at 02:23 PM
Fab, fab, fab! Kelli, you live the life I want when I grow up (although we're probably about the same age). We were at the beach this weekend as well...Bodega Bay. I'd say more of a trip than a vacation, but relaxing, even with my mother in law in tow. Good for you!

My husband says that going on "vacation" with our kids is like taking the Rolling Stones on tour. Our job is haul them and their shizzz around, made sure they are fed, and are always entertained.
posted by ktja on May 18, 2008 at 10:30 PM
I look forward to the day when we actually have a vacation. You paint a nice picture...and something to look forward to.
posted by kellimwheeler on May 19, 2008 at 09:26 PM

You ladies make me laugh! Thanks for not begrudging me my giddiness at finally arriving at destination vacation.

As for the hope -- you know, it inches closer to being a vacation when the kids are potty trained and they can subsist on goldfish crackers and juice boxes.

It comes sooner than you think. Seems like just yesterday I was setting up the Port-a-Crib in a hotel room, checking an extra bag just for diapers...

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