Look Out Mickey, Here We Come

  Planning a vacation should be fun, somewhat easy, very little stress, and have had some thought put into it.  If that's what you think then you need to spend some time around our family, as we do not do anything the easy or normal way.
  It all started about mid May when we knew that we would have a couple weeks together as a family.  In the beginning we thought two weeks at home doing day trips with the kids would be great, although that was a fleeting thought as we really wanted to get away to a cottage on the beach somewhere, anywhere.  Of course renting anything in cottage country on a late decision is not easy as these places get rented out months, sometimes a year in advance.  So now what?  How about a week away for just mom and dad?  Now this has got me excited.  The idea of my wife and I away for 5-7 days on our own, no kids, no worries this has not happened since our honeymoon, 13 years ago.  This could have been a great vacation, if it had come to fruition.  At this time I have become so stressed about finding something, anything that the idea of not going somewhere may cause me to snap.

  So how about Florida with the kids and maybe even a trip to Disney World?  We would have to be crazy to think that we could control four kids in Disney when we struggle to do it in our own home.  Then again, since when did we do the smart, practical thing.  We are the family that flies by the seat of our pants, if we're wearing any (that would be the kids), and makes decisions based on what we need at that moment.  And we need a vacation.  Besides, we duct tape the kids to the rental strollers and don't tell them about rides and we will be just fine.
  When planning a vacation did you know that if you plan to go to the US it is a good idea to have your passports up to date?  And did you know that if you are sending your wife at 6:30 am to the passport office, you should make certain everything is in order and nothing forgotten.  My suggestion is that if you forget something do not admit to it.  Say "I double checked everything, it was all there, you must have lost it."  Or you can be a dumb ass like me and just admit your error and then sulk all day.  No matter, passports are ordered and we leave in one week.  One week and I will be sitting by a pool with a cold drink in hand that I may even drink before having to get snacks for the kids.