A Weekend Away

Any excuse I have for getting away from the daily routines of chores, cooking, and errands I am all for, so when my husband had to take a road trip out of town for the weekend and suggested the girls and I come along, I immediately began the packing list for our adventure. My husband travels quite a bit and so I must say I have become something of a pro of getting bags, snacks, and activities for along the way together; careful not to forget the necessities of good night story books, ziploc bags of cheerios, fruit cups, and of course extra napkins, plates, and sippy cups. This trip was to New Orleans and although we have done the sight seeing other times, when your husband is traveling for work and you are along for some time with him, he is still there for work hence not with you every minute. I try to be a good mom but I also know my limits. Trying to find my way around a city I'm not too familiar with and finding things that probably cost money to do and wondering if your two year-old will even enjoy them or if you will spend most of the outing chasing her doesn't sound like fun to me. What does sound like fun may sound simple to some, but it works for our family. Picnic dinners of pizza by the hotel pool discussing lizards, clouds, and everything in between works for us. My oldest and I playing silent Uno in a mostly dark hotel room while the two year-old naps (so proud of my five year-old for being respectful of the baby's nap time) works for us. My girls eating cheerios and having juice boxes in bed while watching cartoons while Mommy gets ready for the day (Daddy having been out the door hours before for his work) and then us all going to enjoy a free breakfast (hotel MUST) works for us. Even Daddy making it back to the hotel room and he and I whispering about his day and catching him up on ours seems to be a good way to end the day. There is nothing complicated, expensive, or extravagant about our weekends away, and that's just the way we like it.