March Break "The Beginning"

 Are you going away for March Break?  If so I hope you have a great time and that your kids, if any, have a wonderful time as well.  There are so many destinations that come to mind and I am happy to say that the kids and I are visiting our favorite one, the cottage.  The cottage has brought so many incredible memories and no matter how many times we visit no one wants to go home, except for the time we forgot the stuffy's that the kids all sleep with.

 The stuffy's are packed and the task of packing everything else has begun.  This is a job that my wife has always taken the lead role in and I fill in the blanks along the way or at the minimum load the vehicles, yes both vehicles.  With four kids packing has required both vehicles for any stay over 3 days.  As well, taking both vehicles gives one of us the chance to ride by ourselves enjoying the quiet for a couple hours, while the kids watch a movie in the other.  If you are the lucky one to drive with the kids and get to listen to Monsters Inc for the 100th time your only worry is bathroom breaks for all or, in the rare case, one of them decides to throw up all over themselves and their car seat.  This only happens once or twice a year and it is only March, good odds?  In any case it is my belief that Dad's can do it too and I therefore have taken on all aspects of this trip myself.  

 Let`s start with the decision to take the kids for a couple days without my wife or any other adult supervision, which I could use.  I cannot believe no one tried to talk me out of it, although I am excited as this is my version of going rock climbing.  It will have its ups and downs, there will be challenges to overcome and there is the chance I may have to fend off a wild animal or four.  After all, I am a stay at home dad and I do this every day of the week, with the exception of school, my parents being around at times, and my wife coming home in the evening, I am on my own.
 So the decision was made and now came the planning.  This takes place well in advance of leaving, 24 hours to be precise, after all starting to early leads to changes and additions that I don`t have time for.  With the meals and snacks planned, the groceries purchased and packed, it is time to move to clothes.  My daughter pulled out clothes and left them on the bed for me to pack and she must have something in mind as there were 12 pairs of underwear with only three pairs of pants, four shirts, three pairs of socks and five sets of pajamas.  As for the boys, they just want to bring their entire wardrobe as you never know how many times they may need to change.  As my wife watches on I manage to get all kids packed up for the appropriate days we are going and even remember a couple extra`s just in case.  The kids pick out some toys and games to bring and pack them away in their own bags, of which I am not looking in.  I must admit that I am afraid of what I will find and am satisfied in knowing we do not have any live animals that could have been packed.

 Some blankets, an inflatable bed, a case of water, some meds in case of illness or in my case a headache, some books, my workout DVD`s and I believe I am ready to go.  As I look at what sits in my hallway (12 bags, a suitcase, some lose blankets, boots, sweatshirts, the kids toy suitcases) as well as the food to be put into a cooler, or two, in the morning I come to the realization that I am only taking one vehicle, how the heck am I going to pack all this.

 My wife, who has allowed me the opportunity to experience all of this on my own, decides to head off to bed with one piece of advice that she believes crucial to my having a good time.  She has waited all this time, what could possibly be so crucial?  Who does she think she is speaking up in the final hour?  She just had to get her opinion in prior to me leaving.  She is probably going to tell me that I packed the bags wrong or put the wrong clothes in the bag for the kids.  I can't wait so "what is it dear?"  She calmly looks at me and says "you have done a good job and I know you will have a great time prior to my arrival (she is coming up on day three), but I think it will be more enjoyable if you pack some clothes for yourself."  I look at her like a deer caught in the headlights and say "of course, I was waiting until morning to pack mine."  Truth be told, I had completely forgotten about my own clothes and would have packed the van and left without a second thought.

 So I guess what I have learned is that Dad's can do it too, although it sure helps to have a wife to look after you along the way.  Away we go to the cottage, stay tuned for exciting adventures.