We went to Bermuda and I never did see a pink beach. That's because I stayed at the resort, for the most part, not venturing out farther on the island where the famous sand is located. At our hotel it appeared that the beach was manufactured, brought in from someplace else, the color of sand from New Jersey or North Carolina. No problem, though, it was still beautiful. The water was a fabulous turquoise color and the weather was perfect for most of the time we were there.
Here are some notes from the trip.
Do kids always get sick before or during vacation?
The day before we left Scott seemed sick saying that his head hurt and he was tired. This is typically what happens when he has a fever and sure enough he felt super warm. He was fine the next morning as we headed out, but now it was Jane's turn. On the way to the airport she started coughing. So much so that we almost pulled over to give her an emergency nebulizer treatment. By the time we arrived in the long term parking lot, which was several miles away from the airport, she had stopped. We still repacked the nebulizer in a carry-on bag (Scott's backpack, he's strong, right?) and hoped we wouldn't have to use it until we got to Bermuda.
Look, even the baby has to take off her shoes!
The whole check-in and security check is in no way convenient. Especially for those with small children and who do not travel much. I was prepared to take Jane out of the stroller and knew that all our shoes would have to come off. A woman behind us started laughing when she saw Jane's little purple Crocs up on the conveyor belt, realizing the absurdity of it all.
Are you prepared to fly without your husband?
After we trekked out to the farthest gate and got something to eat, the plane started boarding. I suddenly realized that I did not have my backpack. I had all our passports and important items with me in a separate pouch, but the backpack was my carry-on bag. Matt concluded that I must have left it at the security check-in and went off to retrieve it. Once it looked like everyone had boarded the plane, I went up to the gate to explain the situation. I told them I was sure he'd be along any minute, he's an Ironman I explained. Scott started to panic when the gate check woman made the above statement. So helpful. Just as they were calling for final boarding the other gate checker said, "There he is!". Sure enough, Matt was running toward the gate with my backpack on his arm. It was like a scene from a movie. My hero. I even let him sit on the plane by himself while I sat between the two children.
But we don't have carseats!!
Scott is a rules player. This is a good thing when you want your child to do what is right, but when you need them to be flexible, good luck! I have always been a rules player myself, so I understand where he is coming from. Try explaining to a six year old why it is OK this time to ride in the taxi without carseats and even seatbelts! Also, how about why it is alright to lie and say you are 4 instead of 6 in order to ride the bus for free. Not worth the few bucks we would have saved. He just couldn't understand it. But I AM six he kept saying.
Is every meal going to take 2 1/2 hours?
Fortunately, no. Only the first dinner did. It was mostly fine as kids behaved and everyone was happy to be together. Except for this comment:
Well, she should be potty trained by now.
From my sister, who thinks I am a child coddling SAHM and can't seem to stop herself from making snippy comments about what she thinks I am doing wrong. Seems to me that her first wasn't potty trained when he was 3 either, but I promised myself I would not fuel this argument.
Scott, would you dance with me?
My niece, who is 6 months younger than Scott, can be quite the handful. She is a little bratty, but also a character. In the past, she and Scott have sparred a lot, but on this trip they got along great. They invented games at the beach and chased bubbles together on the lawn. And they even danced together. One time in front of the whole dining room. They were the hit of Carribbean night, twirling each other around and bowing at the end of their routine.
Do you ever get ten minutes of peace?
My sister-in-law, who does not have kids, asked me this while we were at the aquarium. I replied that that is why I let them watch TV. I couldn't help myself, because I know she thinks they watch too much TV and also play too many computer games. That was a point of contention on a different family trip. Funny thing is that when she said this I didn't even notice that my kids were being demanding. I guess I am just so used to hearing "Mommy!!" 10 million times a day that it doesn't even phase me.
Maybe I'll run tomorrow.
Or not at all. There wasn't any place to run anyway. And besides that, running would have interfered with my rum swizzle drinking.
I have to go potty, NOW!
You have to hand it to Scott. For a kid who didn't poop during the daylight for years, he is now a pooping champ. Going in the airplane bathroom, in the skanky beach restroom, wherever and when ever he needs to. Just don't ask him to wait a few minutes to get to a more convenient or cleaner spot.
Oh, Cabana Boy!
I knew my husband had worked at a beach club in New Jersey when he was a teenager, but I didn't realize this made him an expert umbrella setter-upper. How handy.
Mom has the fraternity paddle!
This was from my brother who used to get "paddled" when he was a kid. One day when we were young, the paddle mysteriously disappeared. My father always blamed my brother and my sister and I assumed that my brother got rid of it (thank goodness). Turns out my mother actually stole it away (to protect her precious son). My brother just discovered this and couldn't get over the fact that he had been falsely accused for all these years.
It costs how much for a little sand bucket?
I had wisely thought to bring a beach bag and two beach balls (I learned that trick from the Manic Mommies travel show), but I did not bring beach toys. The gifts shop had a few super expensive ones. We brought them home with us and are now using them as flower pots.
But I'm not tired.
That was Matt, not the kids, on our last night of all sleeping together in one room. To my mom's defense, this wasn't her plan. She thought our rooms would all be together and the kids would sleep in one room, leaving each adult couple alone. No such chance. I didn't mind since it was only a few days, but Matt really didn't like having to share a bed with Scott and all going to sleep at 9pm. We got a tiny crib for Jane the first two nights then upgraded her to a cot since she couldn't even stretch her legs out in the portable crib. I couldn't stop myself from laughing as I tried to sing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star to everyone before we all went to sleep. Yeah, WAY too much togetherness.
She wouldn't last very long at our house.
My brother and sister-in-law were clear that they felt my niece was in serious need of some discipline. It was kind of funny to watch them react to the things she tried to pull. When I got home I stumbled across this quote in the newspaper, "The best way to discipline a child is to not be it's parent." So true. I think my niece knows how to play her parents just like all clever kids know how to do. At the same time I think it is much easier to tell someone else what they should be doing than actually being the one doing it.
This is the plane to Newark, honey, don't even think about New York or you'll get all confused.
Said the oh-so-helpful gate checker in Bermuda when I tried to figure out which gate was the one to New York. There were 3 planes leaving at the same time, 2 to NY and 1 to Newark. I do know the difference between the two cities, thank you very much. Maybe you are the one who is confused.
Oh, you mean I actually have to prepare, cook, and clean up meals again?
I sure could get used to having a full course breakfast and dinner prepared for me each day. I would NEVER tire of that.
If vacations are supposed to be so good for you, how come I am always so exhausted and crabby before and after?
Enough said.
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