Breaks

I just love breaks in the hectic family schedule. No “have to be anywhere at a specific time.” We can listen to the rhythms of our bodies, relax, catch up on sleep, and reconnect as a family. Be completely “in the moment.”

Our spring break this year has been a combination of many hours in the car, snug quarters in hotels, college visits in three states, and vacation time with family and friends in South Carolina. The last day together was special—twenty kids tearing around, playing together while the adults communed.

Time spent like this helps us to appreciate who we are and reminds us that life is about the connections within family, friends, and community.

Charleston with the Crew

We LOVE Charleston! Although Mark and I visit every so often we haven’t been here with the kids…well, since we had only two. And I remember how hot and humid it was.

Our first stop after the morning’s amazing pillow fight, in which Greyson ended up losing his pants, was to visit Waterfront Park. It was here, when Josi was eighteen months-old, that we came to appreciate just how much liquid a diaper can hold and not explode. She spent much of her afternoon in the fountain, shrieking with delight as she ran through the cold spray.

The day in Charleston was cool and breezy, but sunny. We had a blast. Besides the pier and Waterfront Park, other highlights included walking through the Battery, the gum-covered utility pole by the market, petting and playing with a yellow lab puppy, and shopping (to satisfy Holden).

On the Road Again…

Google Maps was once again wrong. I should know better. They have our house in another part of our neighborhood.

After being off course for over a half an hour, we finally plugged the address we were going to into Mark’s new handy dandy Garmin and the little gadget redirected us to our destination quickly. We wanted to get a “lay of the land” the night before a college visit. Good thing we did or we would have been late the following morning.

We settled in back at the hotel. Josi dropped her glasses in the toilet. Greyson forgot his toothbrush. Aubry’s blow-up mattress leaked. And poor Holden discovered he wasn’t going to be the fashion statement he wanted to be. We made him wear topsiders for his interview.

Traveling with the kids is always fun and can be an “adventure.” Can’t wait to see how the rest of the trip goes.