In an impromptu effort to encourage family relationships with my children, I have allowed them to travel with their Grandmother to Florida to visit their uncle (my brother) and his family. Anyone that knows me knows that this is totally out of character for me, as I rarely let my kids go anywhere that I am not, much less 2 states away from me. It was a last minute decision that I can honestly say I am pleased has happened though I miss my kids very much – I’m sure they are not-so-much missing Mommy with all the Florida fun and sun though.
It all started last year when Emma asked could they go with Grandma to Florida in which I replied no but she was so sad and so disheartened that it saddened me. So this year when time for the trip came, I first said “no” but at the last minute I changed my mind and told them they could go. I was looking forward to alone time with the kids per my original “no, you aren’t going” but I know they want to see their uncle and cousins who they rarely see due to the distance in living. Needless to say the kids couldn’t be happier!
So the weekend was spent washing up clothing, packing and gathering necessary items to send them on their way. We gassed up the Tahoe and filled it up with loads of things to keep them occupied on the overly long trip. Then early Sunday morning, we sent the four plus Grandma on their merry way. They stopped off and picked up their cousin Megan to go along on their travels too. Grandma gets a week with all seven of her Grandkids at one time! Whoo Hoo!
With the kids gone, that leaves me as a Mommy with no one to parent. You’d think I’d be living it up, enjoying this vacation that so many long for every day. Nope – I miss those four beautiful kids desperately in just the few hours they’ve been gone and have been keeping busy so that I don’t miss them more.
After the kids left yesterday, the Bestie (Tamara) and I all loaded up in Mom’s car since she has my car and went down to the beach for the first time in forever – definitely the first time this year but maybe the first time in 3 years. We sat in the edge of the water and played for several hours like young children would. It was wonderful and so relaxing.
By the time I left the beach, the day was almost over and I felt as though I’d had a relaxing massage from the beating of the waves hitting me as they washed upon the shoreline. Tamara and I also gathered some pretty shells while we were there. The whole day was just what I needed to keep my mind off of the kids being gone.
After the beach, we grabbed some Subway Subs and headed home. The rest of the night we sat around watching TV, catching up on missed episodes of our favorite shows. It was 4:30 in the morning before we finally went to sleep.
Today I woke up around 11. It was nice to sleep in. I immediately ate something and started on laundry. I cleaned up the living room and put all the out of place things away. I headed over to Grandma’s and did the laundry there as well. Just basic housecleaning that needed to get done.
I also had a wonderful surprise. The books I had ordered from my dear homeschooling friend Carole, had been delivered! The overstuffed large box was waiting for me on the porch. It was filled with books on animals, great readers, science educational stuff and more. Carole’s books are always the best! I can’t wait for the kids to return and find so many new, interesting things to read!
It’s now 7:30 in the afternoon. For the rest of the night, I will be working on pictures that I have been putting off. Tomorrow brings a new day and I will be working on more things around the house. You’d think this was a vacation from the kids but really it’s just catching up on all the things I am not able to get done when they are home with me. Lots of work that needs done while they are off having fun.
