Vacationing with Little People

We were on vacation last week. My husband and I and our 3 and 4 year old. We spent the first part of the week in Ubud, Bali (which I will write about later). The last half of the week we spent at the beach in Nusa Dua, Bali. This is pretty much how it went.

1. Vacation is the best.

2. iPads are charged. Kids have window seats. Plane is only about half full. We’re taking off on time. Best vacation ever.

3. I know the pilot said we are landing but it’s still going to take a while to get to the ground. We’re really high up.

4. I know you counted down from 10 but it’s going to take longer than 10 seconds to land.

5. I promise, we are heading down.

6. Seriously.

7. See, we’re going through the clouds. Before we were above them.

8. It does take forever to land but we will be on the ground soon.

9. We made it. We’re on the ground.

10. No, you can’t unbuckle your seat belt. Now we have to find our parking spot. Then get our luggage, then take a car ride. Then we will be at the beach. In like 1,000 seconds. Start counting.

11. Fancy hotel! They’re just 3 and 4 year old kids, not rock stars. We’ll be fine.

12. Don’t touch anything.

13. Yes, child 1, you can have the sunscreen stick and child 2, you can have the sunscreen spray.

14. But I thought you wanted the stick? There’s no crying on vacation! You can have the spray. Whatever you want but my fair-skinned, red headed, darling, you must wear sunscreen.

15. It’s just like lotion, not like sandpaper. Relax. We’re on vacation.

16. What makes sunscreen work anyway? Are these chemicals preventing one kind of cancer but inviting another?

17. Stop thinking about cancer. Relax. You’re on vacation.

18. The beach. Everyone likes the beach this year! Win!

19. Yes, let’s build a sandcastle.

20. Yes, building sandcastles IS fun.

21. Don’t smash it!

22. Oh, I get it. We’re building them just to smash them.

23. Ok. This is fun too. Building and smashing.

24. Wait, why are you crying? I thought you wanted to smash them?

25. No crying on vacation!

26. Yes, we can have ice cream at 11 am.

27. No, you don’t have to take a nap yet.

28. Yes, let’s go to the pool.

29. My kids are so adaptable.

30. Taking a wet bathing suit off to pee is possibly one of the grossest things ever…except thinking about those who might not bother. Yes, we have to get out to pee.

31. It’s exactly like the toilet at home. All the same rules apply. You can do it.

32. This pool is amazing.

33. It’s just a little water in your eyes. Wipe it off.

34. Not with your arm! No! Wait…the sunscreen! Abort! Let me get a towel! Abort!

35. Too late. Why, no tear baby sunscreen, why do you lie? There is no crying on vacation.

36. Back on the beach. Cold cocktail in hand. I love vacation.

37. I could definitely live here full time.

38. People who live here must have the best lives ever.

39. You want to nap now? At 4 pm?

40. You’ve been sitting in the sand all day playing, getting it in every crack and crevice of your body but now that’s it’s time to walk home you can’t possibly take a step with the tiny grains stuck on your toes? Of course. Yes, that makes perfect sense.

41. My kids are so not adaptable.

42.  The pediatrician said a little dose of Benadryl would be ok in the case of an emergency. I know he was talking about during the flight but I think losing my afternoon beer buzz counts too.

43. Is vacationing with my parents worth the free babysitting?

44. Another beautiful day at the beach.

45. We are lucky.

46.  While vacationing with little people can feel like a roller coaster of emotions from laughter to tears and back to laughter, in less time than it takes to pee with a wet bathing suit, at the end of the day, there is something about looking out at the ocean, smelling the salty air, hear the crashing of waves, and holding onto those you love, that makes it’s easy to be grateful for the ride.

 

Also: If we’re Facebook friends, you’ve already seen this but if we’re not, I was featured on Mamalode last week with “The Space Between.” It’s about my 4 year old who is not a toddler but not yet a boy (and more generally it’s about anyone who feels “in between”). I’d be grateful for a click, like and/or share! Thanks!