In Summary...

I'm back. Thank GOD. Not that the trip was miserable. But let's just say taking a vacation with small children is really not a vacation in the usual sense of the word. It is not relaxing. It is not a time to unwind. It doesn't involve gourmet meals at fancy restaurants, lying beside the pool with a good book, or lingering over cocktails while watching the sunset. In fact, I think it's safe to say it's not a vacation AT ALL. I think we should change the name to something like Xtreme Parenting or Parent Bootcamp.

However I suspect the kids had a fantastic time.

I don't know about you but some of my fondest childhood memories are of vacations I took with my extended family. I recall long days filled with sunshine, swimming, exploring and long nights filled with roasting marshmallows, the sound of cicadas, and shared beds where my cousins and I whispered scary stories to one another until finally falling into a deep, boneless sleep.

My guess is the older kids may just be old enough to file this trip away in their memory banks as one example of what a vacation should be like. While we adults will fervently hope next year we can bribe a kickass babysitter or grandparent to accompany us.

Nevertheless, Becca and I have already been discussing where we can go next year. And who might be up for joining us (any takers?). We're thinking the whole car trip thing has been WAY overrated. Perhaps a plane is the way to go. And maybe we can go someplace that feels like a vacation...like Mexico or Hawaii (as if swaying palm trees, azure seas, and white sand beaches will somehow dull the sound of screaming children).

For now, I'm happy to be back in my own bug-free home where my kids can scream bloody murder and I don't have to worry about them waking anyone up or driving anyone (besides us) crazy. At the same time, I'll miss the communal meals, the evening alchoholic beverages, and the shared looks of commiseration when one or all the kids devolved into their nightly demon-spawn antics.

On that note, a few final photos.

Does anyone have a clue what type of bird this is? It sat on the chair next to our table during lunch at the SB zoo.