Bloggers: Kelly Mitchell
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Kelly Mitchell
Life
What about OUR Milestones?
We really get caught up in milestones for our kids don’t we? What is it about these “Firsts” anyway? I think it’s just a fun and easy way to keep track of our children’s growth. And of course it’s a way for parents to compare their kids to other kids even thought they’ll never admit it. But what about our milestones as parents? Shouldn’t we be keeping track of our “firsts?” I can think of a few that deserve to be recognized, for example: first day your boobs don’t hurt after weaning, first time you get over 4 hours of sleep, first day you successfully go shopping with your kids, to name a few.
One of the biggies is travel with kids. This is a huge “first” and can encompass a lot: first time on a plane with kids, first road trip, first time away from your kids for a night or two, etc. This last one is what I’m really referring to. It was my birthday last week-a milestone in itself. I caught my husband researching something online and I grabbed the computer. I saw the website he was looking at, and he was mad I ruined the surprise. It was a hot springs resort in Santa Barbara. My first reaction was, “OH MY GOD! YES! BOOK IT!” And then I was silent. He saw the look on my face and knew exactly what I was thinking. “Oh, we’d bring the kids.” PHEW! Exhale.
I have wanderlust like the best of them, but three years into parenting I am just not ready to leave my babies. To each his own, I’m sure some parents have been doing it since year one. But I’m not there yet. Plus, they are really reaching a fun point. They are finally starting to play together, to communicate to one another and I am just loving it. All our hard work it starting to pay off. If I want to have the perfect vacation, it would be WITH my kids, not without them. I’d be like Mike and Carol Brady when they went on their honeymoon and next thing you knew, all the Brady clan came to join them (Even Alice, Tiger and Fluffy) because they missed them. (There’s your Brady Bunch reference this week. I’m thinking you might get one every week).
After much research, we decided to go to Palm Desert, because his family lives there and we knew they’d love to spend time with the kids too. We researched kid friendly hotels and the one that was the most highly recommended was Rancho Las Palmas. I read about the Lazy River and as soon as I saw that there was a splash park and a water slide I was sold. My son loves nothing more than a water slide! Done. We could only afford one night, but it was a big splurge and I decided THIS was what I wanted for my birthday. We never ever do this kind of thing.
We got there early (I couldn’t wait) and were able to check in. Our room had a view of the golf course and it was right across from the pool. We immediately went to the pool, got some inner tubes and each of us was able to hold a kid in our lap and float on the lazy river. There was a mini beach and a wading pool for little ones, with a huge bin of sand toys, perfect for my 2 year old daughter. They both loved the splash park. Then it was time for the water slide!! Uh oh, snafu. There was a height requirement and my son didn’t meet it. By ONE INCH! This was a mommy fail, because it clearly states the requirement online, but I sort of ignored it. The lifeguards did not. I begged, but no dice. I thought Curran would be crushed, but he was a good sport and all in all, I’m really happy the lifeguards didn’t cave. They have the safety of the kids in mind and they stick to it. My son got distracted by the adjacent pool and swam his heart out. I’ve never seen my kids so happy for so long with no meltdowns whatsoever. And the best part is they were wiped out after, so it gave us the perfect excuse to NOT go out to dinner, but rather order in and eat in our hotel room, in our PJ’s. My husband went out and brought back my favorite, PF Changs, which was right across the street. We put a candle in my flourless chocolate cake, cracked open the champagne and had a dance party. It was a perfect birthday.
I feel empowered, like we hit a major milestone taking the kids on a hotel vacation. Granted it is what the place is geared toward, and it was only one night, but still-it could have been a disaster and instead we all had the best time. I am measuring Curran every day until he hits 42 inches and the second he does, we will be back at the top of that water slide ready to roll.
Read more of Kelly's Blogs
Mary was SERIOUSLY Contrary, as it turns out
Boys and Girls. And the "P" Word
Trying to Register the Concept of Registering
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