On the Loose

We broke out of the ho-hum ordinary life for just a little bit. After we had tied up our loose ends and accomplished just enough on Saturday, it was time to hit the road. We put our aquarium membership to use and took a stroll among the masses to see the fish and sharks, etc.. Come summertime, that membership will get some serious exercise. Gavin was so excited to go to the bathroom so he could see the sharks swimming by while we washed our hands. Nevermind that we never even made it into a stall to do the business.

Then it was off to cruise by some houses we'd been eyeing. Basically it's fruitless and purposeless to look at what's on the market right now because anything we like will be gone by the time we're ready to buy. But it's fun, nonetheless. And it just so happened that one of the houses was holding an open house, so our whole crew went to check it out. It was weird, as most old houses tend to be, and we didn't fall in love with the place, but it was helpful to see it. Graham could really care less where we live, and Gavin only requests that we buy a house with a pool AND a waterslide. #nobiggie

Come Sunday, we could be found hard at work clearing out the junk in preparation for our big organization mission. Most of us were in our bathing suits and screened up by noontime in prep for our mini staycation at The Westin, and we were just waiting for Graham to wake up from his nap. Finally, he awoke. Hooray! Except that when I went to get him, his face was covered in blood. I don't do blood. I called for Dylan and just told him I didn't know where it was coming from, and he suggested that it might be the giant gash in his eyelid.

What? We have no earthly idea what happened to Graham between the time we put him down for nap and when I got him after he woke up. We searched the crib for sharp, foreign objects but found nothing. He must have banged his head against the crib rail? Anyway, it was big and it wouldn't stop bleeding. Since these things only happen on Sundays, and since I don't do blood (I literally had to sit on the floor and put my head between my knees), and since Gavin had been dying to get to the pool all day long, we had to divide and conquer. Dylan and Graham to the pediatric ER, and Gavin and me to the hotel pool. By the time G and I made one lap around the lazy river and about 25 jumps into the pool, Dylan and Graham showed up poolside. No stitches for our little one...just the glue. Unfortunately, the pool was off-limits for him, per doctor's orders. So, D and I switched places, since Dylan is at least 40 times more fun than I am in the pool. Graham and I got the bags, hung out in the room and took a walk. Finally, it was time to pack it up and for the boys to head home. Dylan had to watch Sergio win the Masters up in the hotel room, which is understandable. But, after Graham's wound reopened and he bled all over the bed, and Gavin left about 10,000 cheddar cracker crumbs everywhere, I was not sad to say good-bye and goodnight to my crew.

Endless fun at Odysea

Did you know that Culver's offers entertainment for your dining pleasure? No? Well, then you've never been out to fast food with Graham.

Graham had a most excellent time rolling around the hotel bed. No trip to the ER can slow him down! After he almost took a few tumbles, however, we had to remind him of our 1-ER-trip-a-day family policy.

And then, it was just me. An odd, foreign and completely wonderful feeling. A couple weeks ago, when Dylan asked me what I wanted and how he could help me get a break, I didn't know what to tell him. And then finally, after I took a day to figure it out, I realized I just wanted to be ALONE. I wanted to not feel needed for just one night. It might not be everybody's first pick. I suppose some most might prefer a weekend away to visit friends, or even just a night out in town with people. Or somehow do something to help or serve others or anything that would involve the company of people. Before we had kids, I spent a lot of time alone, and it was too much. It doesn't matter how reserved or introverted a person is...everybody needs somebody. But being a mom and having only rare, fleeting moments of silence and peace can wear just a little too much on my fragile and quiet-by-nature mind. I just wanted to be with me, myself and I.

So, after I cleaned up, I moseyed on over to Tommy Bahama. Did you know that they renovated the patio and put a really cute bar outside? I didn't know that because I haven't been there in at least two years. And that they have a really excellent happy hour until 6pm? So, I plopped down at the bar as a party of one and ordered up a mojito. And then a sweet girl sat next to me. She was from Toronto, and her parents have a place in Scottsdale, so she visits the TB happy hour often. She was super fun and friendly, but then she left to meet her mom. So, I ordered more food and drinks. And then an older gentleman took the sweet girl's seat and ordered a non-alcoholic beer. It was a whole experience, and I loved it. I even thought about stopping at the hotel bar when I walked back up to my room, but I decided that two drinks was probably enough for this lightweight. I had some serious reading and TV viewing ahead of me, and I didn't want to ruin everything. As for the morning? A free yoga class and then a massage at the spa are on the agenda.

So, here I am. My life is definitely cake by most people's standards. And with a husband like Dylan, who makes time in-between holding down 67 jobs to do whatever it takes to keep me from going insane in the membrane, I really should have no complaining to do. And I don't! Really! How blessed I am to have my little boys and a top-notch partner in life. But please, don't tell me to treasure this time and that it goes by fast until you brush your teeth or pee or wash the dishes or put on pants one-handed with a baby on your hip while the other child is literally crying about spilled milk. (Or doing those things using both hands but with said baby splayed out crying on the floor in front of you.) I do treasure the sweet moments, but I was also not born with the gift of patience. So, I'm taking a night to be in silence and to not be needed. I'll be back to serve tomorrow, and I'll be happy and thankful that I get to do it.