Vacation or No Vacation

We went to Rhode Island for 10 days. It seemed like two or three.

Time flew.

Of course it did. I didn't cook. I didn't clean. Other people (Auntie Ang, Aunt Jan, "Tittene") took turns caring for our kids. A couple of Grandmas, lots of cousins, great aunts and uncles, and a grandpa (titled "Nother Gampa") also helped make our trip fun. The kids were entertained by sand, water, lots of snacks, their cousin (Gracie), and the bed-and-breakfast dog (Max).
The B&B owners were a little protective of poor Max's sanity. He wasn't accustomed to being the target of toddlers, especially the target of THREE running, screaming, arm-waving toddlers. He was often called inside to the comfort of his puffy, feather pillow bed.

We're home now.

Instead of basking in the sun and reading whole novels in a matter of two days, I am reading a paragraph or two before closing my eyes at night, and making phone calls to various doctors, dentists and other specialists for my kids, I am scrounging through our (still-empty) fridge to attempt a suitable meal, I am dusting and vacuuming and cleaning dirty dishes. I am being a mom, I guess.

This isn't vacation. This is parenting.

It is worth it, really.

In between phone calls, paying bills, changing sheets, and doling out snacks, I am watching my kids live life....and it is so, so, so much fun. I mean, really, right now S is learning a key lesson in life: farting is really funny. The louder the better. Did you know that you have to teach a kid that farts are humorous? And I love when Z declares his undying love for me with an "I luuuuuv you, Mama" followed by a big, ol' wet, sloppy kiss. I am elated when B has whole conversations with his beloved "younger" sis. They sound a little like this: "Do you want snacks, S? Oh, you want snacks? Ok, yum! Snacks! Ok. Mama get you snacks, S? Ok. Mama, S want animal cakkers!" (Sounds a little self-serving, doesn't it? But very, very cute.)

Doesn't matter if I'm basking in the sun or changing dirty diapers, I still think you little punks are stinkin' adorable.