The End

First and foremost, I want to thank everyone who voted and helped me make the list of the "Top 25 So Cal Mom Blogs" for the second year in a row. It means a ton that I have such supportive readers. Thank you!

Today is our last day of vacation before we return home tomorrow. It is always sad to see vacations come to an end isn't it? It has been an amazing week though and the family time was just what we needed. Chaos returns on Sunday so I plan on soaking every last bit out of the next 24 hours.

We need to all go get ready for our last rides on the water slide so I am off but I hope you all have a fabulous weekend!

Unexpected

Every time our family goes on a vacation, I tend to set low expectations.  Please don't take this the wrong way.  Do I set expectations low?  Absolutely.  Do I think we are going to still have an incredible time?  Definitely.

I have just found that through almost 8 years of having children and traveling with them, something always comes up.  Gone are the days of perfectly planned vacations.  My mindset has developed into, "I have no expectations, no matter what happens, it is going to be great, and whatever happens will happen".

This trip has been no exception.  On our first day here I posted this picture on Instagram, kicking off the week that was going to be spent by the pool and relaxing.

    
Eleven hours after taking this photo it was 5:30am, I was covered in throw up and I was turning on the shower.  Poor Baby Girl had come down with the flu and beginning at 4am she could not sleep.  Too much liquid got to her and it was a massive explosion in the bed, 99% on me.  This led to the two of us spending the day inside coloring, watching movies and resting while the boys hit the pool.

Was I planning on someone getting sick?  Nope.  Was I planning on spending the first day of vacation inside all day?  Nope.  Did I expect to do three loads of laundry?  Nope.  But you know what?  It was still a great day.  Baby Girl and I enjoyed our time just hanging out together and while she napped I was able to read the September issue of Elle from front to back over a three hour period.  Something that I have not done in AGES.  Sure I would have hoped that she felt well and that we could have spent the day as a family but that is okay.  No expectations remember?

Baby Girl went to bed feeling a little better last night and I am hoping this means she wakes up this morning on the mend.  I am also crossing my fingers no one else gets sick.  Perhaps our vacation will get back on the "traditional" track today but if not, that is okay too.

Traveling with children can be tricky, exhausting and not always according to the plans but there is still nothing better than getting away with the family.  Wouldn't you agree?

I am going to take tomorrow off from posting but I will be back later in the week to announce who won the It's Just Darlin Mason Jar Glasses giveaway.  Also, the voting for the "Top 25 So Cal Mom Blogs" closes on August 22nd so if you have a chance to vote today and tomorrow, I would really appreciate it!

Palm Desert

Palm Springs 2011

A summer is not truly a summer without us spending a week in the desert.  I have been going since I was a little girl and now our family is beginning the same tradition.  Is it hot?  Yes, extremely, but I actually enjoy the heat.  We spend our days by the pool with a fruity cocktail (or smoothie for the kids) in hand and the evenings grilling and taking it easy.  There is nothing to think about.  Nothing to worry about.  Just relaxing.  

Tomorrow we head off for Palm Desert so next week things are going to be a bit quite around here.  You will hear from me but not every day.  I am taking in this last week of summer the best I can before we head back to school and the chaos of reality.

Remember that today is the LAST day to enter It's Just Darlin Mason Jar Glasses giveaway (winner to be announced next week!) and voting for the Top 25 So Cal Mom Blogs ends on the 22nd.  Don't forget to enter and I really do appreciate all the votes you have continued to give!

Have a fabulous weekend and I will "see" you next week!

Everything but the Kitchen Sink

2 parents + 3 children + 1 Yukon + 1 week in Palm Springs = "Oh my we have a lot of crap to take!"  Don't believe me?

So we obviously cannot have a fourth child because there is no where to put them, no one is going to move an inch for the entire drive, and there better not be anything that we forgot.

Palm Springs, here we come!