ANOTHER TERM USED TO DESCRIBE THE
"HARDIN FAMILY TRIP"
I really thought that vacation was much more organized this year than any year prior. Phyl had literally thought of everything and mastered the family vacation skill. She had big plans for only healthy foods in the house, nap times, space, and as little chaos as possible. Dr Hardin rented the best condo we have ever been to - amazing views, gorgeous water, and plenty of ROOM. BUT... as with any "family vacation" you quickly realize it is not a vacation. It really is more like the "family TRIP" you hear about. Five of my favorite 'Helpful Tips For Parents" expert from the Huffington Post are listed below. I adore this mom and her articles - since she is spot on! Her analogies help us moms to categorize exactly what type of "vacation" we had.... Without this wonderful article and some advice on "tripping with kids" from some good friends - I might really be at a loss for understanding the way a vacation trip really works. Let me help out everyone else out there just like I was helped.
- How will you get there?
- We traveled by car. A journey that was supposed to last 6 hours took us a leisurely stroll of 9 hours - in the car (did I mention that) - with two 7 month olds - who screamed because we had no milk to fix formula. "Hello sir in the gold Hyundai Sonata - do you happen to have a bottle of water I could borrow?" Or what about the fact it took 30 whole entire minutes to get through the Mobile Bay Tunnel. You know..... two screaming kids and every single car blowing their horn makes for music to the ears. (Lucky for us Rose rode down with the Grands so our trio was down to two. Thank heaven for Grands who offer carpool. All of these events lead us to believe that we were on a TRIP. A Hardin Family TRIP.
- Who are you going with?
- Are Kids involved?
- Well Yep ..... Trippity Trip Trip Trip
- Are in-laws involved?
- YES - Its a TRIP my friends
- Are parents involved?
- Of Course - (shall I say it??)
- Are other families coming?
- NO (that's classified as the "special kind of hell trip")
- Did you share a bathroom with any family members?
- NOPE (hence Phyllis and space being a top priority of this years vacation - we love her more every year)
- Where will you stay?
- Does the final destination have a kitchen?
- YES... and that is a huge red flag indicator that this was not a vacation but ... a trip
- Did you have to grocery shop? Unload the dishwasher? or do laundry?
- NOT A VACATION...... AHHHH TRIP
- Was there a pack n play in your bedroom?
- Does TWO pack n plays throw me back into the "one hell of a trip" category???
- Did you and your spouse sleep in double beds?
- Well, we held hands across the nightstand does that count as a vacation???
- What will you do?
- Will you battle 3 kids in the heat to go to the beach each day?
- Yes, but only after stopping at the cold pool, wait the hot pool, no the cold pool, no the hot pool, the cold pool is too cold, the hot pool is too hot (TRIP)
- Will you run with all of your kids down 21 flights of stairs because the fire alarm goes off and it was not a prank?
- I think this arrow points us right back in the "Hell of a trip" category
- Will you get a pedicure in the Wal Mart while it runs off of a generator because the power is out?
- Heck, after everything else, I was really considering this part the VACATION
- Will you lock all doors to the balcony and constantly fret about a kid on the patio falling from the 21st floor?
- Did I mention how high up we were??? TRIP
- Will you contemplate what snack you will pack for the 30 min run to the beach?
- Surely a few bites of sand cant be that harmful??? Right??? ummmm... TRIP
- What is your role on this "vacation"?
- Did you Day Dream about your Day Job?
- Oh my gosh... What a trip!!!
- Will you continue to dress, feed, and bathe babies?
- Will you play golf but hurry home because your needed at the hot pool?
- Will you go fishing but puke the entire experience because the water was too rough?
- Wait... Brent ... No kids here.... Vacation or trip????
It does not have to be in chart formation to see that we were on a Hardin Family TRIP. What started out as organized as a game of Monopoly quickly turned into something more like JUMANJI by the end of it. However, I will say, that with all the craziness we were only making memories. These kids are getting more adorable each year. They have the best grandparents kids could ask for. I had more fun this year than ever before. I just feel so blessed to call them family! Between the screams on the last day we already planning the next years TRIP. I have to say, I wouldn't trade this TRIP for any Vacation.
(well... hmmmmm)???
Here comes the picture overload....
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| Elevator Boy |
"Stop splashing me"
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| So content.... |
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| pictures can be deceiving |
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| "Did it just sprinkle....??? We just spent 30 minutes getting down here!" |
