Speaking of Summertime...

It's usually sometime in early January when I get online and book the family vacation to the beach.  I’m a little picky so it takes me some time to pick the perfect spot.  It needs to be close enough to walk to the ocean, it must have a pool, and enough room for everyone to spread out so there is minimal arguing (wishful thinking.)

Between January and July I often look at photos of the place we will stay to remind me of the great time we’re going to have on vacation.  Before you know it, it's time to pack up and get ready.  Four kids and hours of driving can sometimes be a recipe for disaster. Typically, things go well the first couple of hours – who am I kidding, it's the first couple of minutes – before the arguing or whining starts.

Anyway, my point is, I look forward to vacation all year. I count down the seconds until we are finally on our way. Even though I know it will be the same thing year after year: Four kids in 3 different age groups wanting to do 10 different things.  One wants to go to the beach, one wants to go crabbing, one wants to go to the pool.... it’s hard for me to believe that it will ever get easier. Although, I know deep down inside the day it gets easier is the day it gets boring. But, I do long for peace now and again. 

For now, I enjoy the few moments of peace that I get and the times when all four of the girls are miraculously getting along. I also tally my successes as a mother: this year my family managed to survive a week at the beach with no sunburn issues (I can’t say enough good things about NO-AD sunscreen) unlike past years. Now that we have another great family vacation in the memory books, it’s time for me to go back to dreaming about picking out the next beach vacation and spending time together as a family. 

I hope you and your family have a wonderful vacation!