Awaycation, All I Ever Wanted.

So, we're back from our [vacation] awaycation.

For the uninitiated, an awaycation is like a vacation for people with children.  Which is really nothing at all like an actual vacation.  I am sure that I don't have to explain it all, right?  I don't have to say that on a vacation you are vacationing, a state of being that is distinctly different from your average day-to-day experience and on an awaycation, you're just, well, away?  And your state of being is an exact DNA match to your at-home list of shit to do, except you cross out [playground] and add board walk?

And let's not even talk about the amount of preparation involved for an awaycation because until you see all those tiny little clothes folded up and try to remember the butt cream! and the white noise maker!  And forcrizzakes DON'T FORGET THE DOLLY!! you're already exhausted.  

And ready to have a staycation.

Anyway.

It was a [restful] [peaceful] action-packed weekend.  I say action-packed, not because we were para-sailing or  water skiing (which would be what people do on a vacation), but because with the FOUR-TEN A.M. wake-up calls from The Littlest New Girl, there were many, many hours to fill.  But we were in an hospitable environment, with lots of toys and people [ who don't make TLNG scream] who can keep an eye on my kid while I take a whiz.

Oh, and I got to go to two little-kid birthday parties!  With cake! The first was for this little bit of sweetness.  Ah, I can't believe it's been FOUR years.  And I went to the second, by sheer luck and I got to meet this little bit of sweetness (and her mom, finally. Thanks for the yummy cake and awesome company, Liz!).  And we took TLNG to the beach for the first time (only I don't have a picture of her dressed up like my nephew because she wore his jumper in the sand because despite packing TWO bathing suits for her, I neglected to bring them to the actual BEACH with us and they were back at the shore house, along with my cam-er-ah.)

But, my BFF sent me this one, here.

Oh, lawd, lookah mah babay:

Do you know what she's eating?

Why, that would be a big ol' hunk of spare ribs.

Mmm-hmm.  See her digging on The Grilled Meatiness?  The Saucy Goodness?

Whatever. 

It's like the dumbest name for a food, because I bet?  That The Pig never thought of those ribs as SPARE.  He probably liked ALL his ribs.

I'm just saying. 

It's good to be home.

Comments

[Miss Grace]

This weekend I'm ditching my kid for an actual honest to god mini-vacation and I could NOT be more excited. It sounds like you had some fun though, right?

[manager mom]

I promise you, vacations get more fun when they get older...you are actually doing stuff, not just wiping noses and butts. Welcome back!

[Sam]

We just had a staycation (Chicken was away) and then an awaycation (we joined Chicken) and I was exhausted after all the "play [insert here] with me." OMG regression much?

[moo]

The older I get ... and the older my son gets ... I realize that vacation is a four letter word.

Glad you are glad to be home!

[Clink]

Holy caw you are so right about the awaycation...adding that to the list of phrases right now.

We are bring the baby camping this weekend...yeah. Camping. Lord help me.

[catnip]

How well I know the pain of an awaycation. This year I had a staycation instead. I stayed home with hubby while the boy went to his grandparent's for 5 days. I forewarned hubby I wasn't cooking or cleaning the entire time. It was glorious.

[Manic Mommy]

Yep. It's a rude awakening.

Hittin' the Cape next week. Rented house = cooking. Sort of. The good news is that Andy's family will all be down there, and my mom's staying in our house with us. I may be able to sleep past 6:00! Partay!

[cardiogirl]

We just did an awaycation at my in-law's house. Right inside their house. With three kids. With nowhere to "get away" to take a short whiz. Because Mommy is the only one the youngest one feels comfy with. Even when Mommy wants to *quickly* relieve herself. Alone.

It. Was. Awesome.

So glad we're home.

[Backpacking Dad]

We just did an awaycation to San Diego, and we're following it up this week with a staycation where my mom has come to visit (and stay in a hotel).

It's been awesome.

In San Diego we didn't do anything. Sure, we hit the zoo and the beach, but we didn't stress about trying to pack in sightseeing or anything like that: we used to live there, which is why we picked it for our awaycation.

Stress. Free.

Instead of Free Stress, which is what you get when you take your kids on a real awaycation.

[andrea]

A couple of months ago I made the (what I think was now rash and horribly misguided) decision to buy cheap fares to Hawaii - so my husband and I could take our twins on a "holiday" before they turn two and start costing us for airfares. They're 13 months now and they'll be 17 months when we go. My overriding thought now is "What the f!ck have I done?!" Because two toddlers? on one one-hour flight and one 10-hour flight (we're in Australia) each way? without their own seats? and all the stuff we'll have to take for 12 days in sunny Hawaii?

Crap.

PS. Even though I'm vego, the cuteness of her sucking on that rib is too much.

[Mom101]

I love reading you even more now that I can put the funny New Girl with the funny New Girl voice.

Mwah.

[Joy]

You should sway her to the side of vegetarianism with these:

http://clothing.cafepress.com/item/chicken-fingers-vegetarian-infant-creeper/52211456#

http://clothing.cafepress.com/item/wild-eyed-pixie-spareribs-infant-creeper/46851534#

:)

[Joy]

You should sway her to the side of vegetarianism with these:

http://clothing.cafepress.com/item/chicken-fingers-vegetarian-infant-creeper/52211456#

http://clothing.cafepress.com/item/wild-eyed-pixie-spareribs-infant-creeper/46851534#

:)

[Lora]

I feel your awaycation pain. My husband likes to go to the tropics (not complaining), with our son (again, not complaining), and RENT.A.CONDO. Because, "honey, it saves us so much money on food costs if we don't have to eat out every meal". By which he means that I need to cook, on my "vacation". And then clean up after said meals. There is a Costco located in this tropical isle just on the way out from the airport (were they planning or what?) so we pick up stuff there on our way to THE.CONDO. It's amazing how unappetizing rotisserie chicken, 5 pounds of pasta, and a bag of salad mix look after you've eaten them 4 times in 3 days. That's what you get when you make me cook on my vacation!