We talked to my mom and worked out the dates. Gratefully, she was totally excited to come out and take care of our 4 kiddos. When we told our friends who were going at the exact same time with all their kids they were bummed we weren't bring ours and also surprised that our kids weren't pitching a royal fit to not be going. I easily explained that my mom was coming which was super exciting to them, enough said.
Our plan was to take Aimee to the airport at 3pm since Dan needed to work from home most of the day. Since it was the Monday after Easter the kids didn't have school and enjoyed the weather playing outside riding bikes. About an hour before we were going to go Bonnie called to invite Jake to join Benny and Uncle James at Adventure Park USA for the evening to kick of Benny's Spring Break. I gratefully said you bet! Jake teared up when it was time to go, sad that we were going to be gone when he got home. I think that going with Uncle James and Benny to play hard was just what he needed. Clara was sleeping when we left but the girls had a hard time saying goodbye. My mom planned to pack all the girls up and go to the park as soon as we left.
After dropping Aimee off at the airport we drove about 3 hours down to Williamsburg. It was a very rare driving experience! We could actually talk. I took a nap. I didn't have to twist backwards a zillions times. It was great! When we pulled into the resort Dan and I both thought of how the kids would have loved it. It had great amenities including a mini-golf course and fun outdoor pool area. Our condo had a full kitchen, living room area, two bedrooms and two full bathrooms. I was excited to enjoy the huge soaking jacuzzi every single day. After checking in we went to Panera and picked up a salad and sandwich to bring back and eat while surfing cable...something we don't have. Turns out we aren't missing much.
Tuesday Highlights:
*Exercising together
*Yorktown and Williamsburg. We quickly saw Yorktown, the museum and battle field, and then drove through the quaint downtown area. Then we headed to Colonial Williamsburg and took our time, after getting a ton of candy from the European candy shop, walking around. Our timing was perfect to watch a dramatization with Patrick Henry. There was so much interesting history all around us and being a part of the reenactment helped to really give us a feel for the time period. For me I enjoyed the fact that Dan really loved it. My brain doesn't remember history like his does. He really has a great thirst and appreciation for it.
*Eating Out (Longhorn yum)!
Wednesday Highlights:
*Exercising together
*Quick trip to outlets only to decide to come back the next day.
*Made it through a 3 hour shpeel without going into debt or losing our tempers.
*Eating Out (Little burger/shake joint in Williamsburg)
*Go APE! I really wanted to do something FUN. To just let loose- I don't feel like I do that very much. I've always wanted to try zip-lining. Well in the Williamsburg area the best we could do was a high ropes course place called Go Ape. It was a 3 hour course up in the trees with obstacles, zip-lines, and 2 "ape" swings. It was so fun for me. I didn't have to take care of or worry about anyone else's safety! I think I made Dan nervous, or so I learned after the fact that he kept watching to make sure I hooked up right and didn't drop to my death. I think Dan really enjoyed it too despite that. First we were instructed on safety and how to properly always stay attached. After the first easy obstacle came the first ape swing. From the top of a platform you just drop off and swing into a net and then climb up the net to the next platform. It was such a fun rush! I giggled my way down every zip-line I think. The heights didn't bother me since I felt safely connected the entire time. Towards the end of the obstacle came the second bigger ape swing. I was pumped to do it. Dan on the other hand, with some of the others around us, were hesitant to do it. Dan told me a couple times that he wasn't sure he was going to do it (there was another option) to which I replied very supportively, "That's fine, but I'm doing it". Since I did it he had to! "Ha ha and another ha" to quote Jake. It was so fun! Kinda freaky, but fun. The only downside to the course was that it was a colder/cloudy day, I wish the weather had been better. And I wish there had been more zip-lines and less obstacles. But overall, More please! The kids were so jealous at the pictures and videos we sent, I had to brag on my bravery. It surprised Dan I do believe.
Thursday Highlights:
*Exercising together
*Eating at Cracker-barrel
*Shopping
*Another great drive home.
*AMAZING welcome home from kids and my mom. The kids greeted us outside. Mom had the house completely cleaned! Laundry done. Bathrooms cleaned. Dinner waiting! A full pan or RK-treats just for me! And then we found our room decorated with balloons, crape-paper, and a poster-board sign, and a treat under our pillow. I struggled to understand what Clara was telling me at first but then figured out she was telling me she helped Grandma clean the fridge!
*The kids were so happy to see us. But even more comforting to me is that they had a great time with my mom, just like I knew they would. She is the best.
The last two years since moving to our home in Monrovia there have been some very easy/fantastic adjustments and some not so easy/difficult adjustments for Dan and I. Since I got my RS calling I have really struggled to figure out how to balance, delegate, and gain any kind of confidence in what I'm doing. Dan has had to step up to a supportive role in the family on top of his demanding, 2 years now, nursery and cub scout callings. And then add to that a stressful several months at work. I had great hopes that this trip would be a time to just decompress. Breath. Reconnect. Talk. and HAVE FUN together. It was, it just needed to be longer! I wasn't surprised at how much Dan wanted to call to check on the kids but I think I surprised him at how much I DIDN'T. Here's hoping we don't wait another 12 years to get away for MORE THAN 3 days again.
Thanks Dan for planning a fun trip for us and Mom for being you!
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