March Break "No Time To Blog"

  I am currently on vacation and will not be blogging today.  To take the time to create a blog requires me being away from the kids, my wife and the activities we have planned for the day.  Being a responsible father I will not do this and would not want it done to me.
 Sorry, I just locked the door to the office after telling everyone I was getting a "shower", so where were we?  Oh yeah, activities with the kids.  I love my kids and I will get involved in all their activities, but building a fort out in the wet snow with dirty, soaked tree branches is one activity that I much prefer being a spectator, at least for today.  Besides, I am supposedly in the shower and cannot get filthy dirty right after getting cleaned up.  I was hoping for a nice leisurely walk searching for the elusive wild chipmunks or if we are lucky catching a glimpse of the 10 point buck that has been hanging around these parts.  If this was not in the kids plans then how about sitting out in the sun enjoying the fresh air and the incredible sunshine.  I don't mind watching them as they play and get dirty, in fact I will even do the laundry after they are done, but for now I just want to relax and enjoy the day with a cold beverage.
 Now, we did just complete the Insanity workout and the kids did well once again, keeping up for bits and pieces of the workout.  In reality they participate during the fun and easier parts and cheered me on during the tough parts, you know, with chants of "your insane" or "this is impossible" encouragement the whole way.  In saying this there have been a few funny comments from the kids today.  My daughter, while climbing inside mommy's sweatshirt, said "When can I play with Mommy's bubbles?"  Now I have always thought of them more like balloons then bubbles, and often find myself asking the same question.  As it turns out we have bubbles for outside play and that is what she was talking about, my mistake, sorry dear.
 Well my shower is supposed to be coming to an end and it is only a matter of time before they realize the door to the office is locked so I must be off, but rest assured I will be back with some exciting tales to share.  Maybe next time we can talk about creating a meal plan for a trip like this because I could use some help.  Apparently chocolate, chips, popcorn and ice cream should have been topping the list.  I thought fruits and vegetables would be a wise choice and now I have ruined the whole vacation.  Maybe not ruined, but created controversy amongst the troops.  Good thing our company, and mom, were thinking as they have managed to put an end to the mutiny that was planned against me (the loving, wonderful, think of the kids first, Dad).  Who's kidding who, if that was me I wouldn't be hiding right now, risking a verbal beating from my wife for abandoning the kids and our guests.  The things I do to share my stories.  Showers over, I will be right there dear!  Sorry, she caught me prior to posting, but not to worry the scars will heal.

Perfect Nights Sleep

I lay in a bed that is much to small, my uncovered feet hanging over the edge
My back is aching, my neck with a kink

It is cold with no blanket, I can't sleep a wink

My daughter asleep, I hear her lite quiet snore

Her arm wrapped around me, warms me to the core

We wake in the morning, her smile is so bright

She turns to me slowly, what a beautiful sight

Is it time for breakfast, she says in a peep

So comes to an end, my perfect nights sleep

 Okay, so poetry is not my thing, but for those of you with kids you will appreciate these moments as they pass far to fast.  As much as you want your own sleep filled night, there is no where else you would be at that moment.  Last night was my turn to enjoy one of these nights as my daughter was awake from 11:00 until 2:00am.  As much as she was awake until well into the night she was also the first person awake in the morning.  Today should be fun. 
 We made it through the day and the kids had a blast.  We caught site of some deer, a chipmunk, and a squirrel.  The snow is melting, but still lots to play in.  I look forward to tomorrow's adventures as we plan to spend more time outside.
 We didn't do much else therefore I have kept it short, besides I have a cold drink and snacks waiting for me at the bar. 

March Break "We Made It"

 You have your plan, that was set 24 hours ahead of time, and this plan includes leaving at a certain time and arriving at a certain time.  Morning comes and you realize that the mess from the night before actually fits into the van, albeit one of the kids might need to ride the roof rack, but these are the sacrifices we make for vacations.  Everyone is dressed, had breakfast, gone to the bathroom, picked their item for the drive and ready to go.  You load up and out the driveway 10 minutes earlier then planned.  So how is it you arrive at your destination 1 hour later then planned?  Let me tell you.
 Once you get two streets away the famous questions start, from all of them, "Are we almost there?"  Followed by "I am hungry."  It will be a long drive so a quick snack wrap from McD's and away we go again.  We are now down 20 minutes, but remember we saved 10 minutes leaving, not bad.  The kids are great, playing their games, singing songs, playing eye spy, everything is running smooth until "I have to go pee" is uttered from Frick, my daughter.  A family stop at Tim Horton's for a relief break and of course Timbits and cookies and we are on the road again, now down another 25 minutes.  Before we can actually pull out of the driveway there is the confrontation with Frack over his cookie versus a Timbit.  Of course he wants both, but I prevail and cookie is all he gets.  Another 5 minutes lost, totalling 40 minutes behind schedule.  Clear sailing the rest of the way right, wrong.  My oldest Jeff, as I refer to him, decides that he needs to throw up 15 minutes before arrival.  Thanks Grandma for reminding me about the possibility as I would have forgotten the buckets.  As it stands I pull over, empty the bucket at the side of the road, provide a fresh bucket, clean him up, make certain he is okay and we are off, again.  Another 15 minutes lost, now 55 minutes behind.  The final stretch sees a local driving in front of us, and when I say local I believe he was the founding father of the area some 100 years ago.  His horse and buggy back then would have moved faster.  Hence the last 5 minutes and we arrive 1 hour later then planned.
 We are here, what could go wrong now?  Well for one the ice that Frack and Jeff slip and fall on before we even get into the cottage.  Then there is Frick falling down a couple stairs, or Frack throwing a Nerf bullet at Mutt's face.  Our biggest concern turned out to be the killer flies in the cottage.  And when I say killer, I mean they must have killed themselves as they were dead, but this did not stop my daughter from yelling "There is a fly on the stairs, get it, get it."  She would not move until I got rid of the fly.  With the flies gone we got down to play time.  While I put things away, like groceries, clothes, bedding, beverages (I actually left these out as I thought I might need a quick fix) and boots the kids were pulling everything out such as Nerf guns, mini hockey sticks, dolls, toys that they had outgrown years earlier and whatever else they could find.  You would think we had been here for a week already.
 As much as they pulled everything out and as much as we had our mishaps there is no where else I would rather be.  It would be nice to have mom here with us, but we will make the best of it in the meantime.  I will try to keep you up to date on anything exciting here.  For now, cheers.

 

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.