White Flag

I surrender! Enough with the peace and quiet! After six full days of unfettered blissful "me" time, I've come to realize that the chaos, calamities and craziness of my family life is actually what keeps me sane. And besides, I just miss 'um.

I miss the squeals and bickers between Kate and Jack when they're attempting to play together. I miss those sweet little boy kisses at bedtime and Kate's long, meandering stories that delay our final "good nights." I miss those little hands I reach for when I'm crossing a parking lot. I'm ready to watch Kate hula-hoop in the back yard while Jack chases phantom villains from behind the orange tree. I miss the Matchbox cars that lie dormant on the carpet, waiting for my bare feet and that string of dirty laundry that leads to a pile next to an empty clothes hamper. I miss story time, stinky kid feet and Radio Disney. 

After a carefully planned week of menus made up mostly of leftovers and prepackaged pasta, I'm ready for Steve's home-cooked meals that he seemingly pulls out of an empty pantry. I miss our interrupted conversations during the dinner hour and his warmth beside me on the sofa after the kids are finally – finally – down for the night.

Just one more day ... I think I'm gonna make it. 

 

 

An Update from the Woods!

An update from the kids and husband in nature:

Just hiked up waterfall and back. Finally having sun ... Had a great day and night. Everyone's good.

Whew! Hope the weather (and stomachs) hold for just two more days.

I'm still battling the cold but have managed to maintain the diet. And I cracked a mile on the ol' pedometer today. Things are looking up ... 

Babes in the Woods

Here's the latest report from the campground, via text message from Steve at 2:45 p.m. today: 

Hailed afternoon. Rained all nite. Jack got sick. Threw up all over tent. Up all nite with him. Everything was wet.

All better today. Sun out.

Jack running around like mad.

May stay.

Now what's a mom supposed to do with that information?

One Step at a Time

OK, now I'm wearing a pedometer. Really. Once you start monitoring various facets of your life (calories consumed, dollars spent, steps taken), it becomes a curious addiction ... in a good way.

I found out that I probably routinely eat about 500 or so more calories than I should in a day. And that I don't exercise – or even walk – nearly enough. So the pedomoter and the calorie tweating should hopefully start paying off. (For the truly curious, you can sign up on Twitter and then follow my food diary throughout the day.)

I have to report being a bit sidelined this week after contracting a cold. It was right outta left field with no snotty kids in the vicinity. I've been cursing the sniffling and lack of energy that have come with it, but now that I've laid the groundwork for healthier habits, I should be able to maintain it even after the kids get home this weekend. Stay tuned ...

I Will Not "Staycate"

OK, L.A. Times and other local media: Please do not use the term "staycation" anymore. And publicists sending out press releases, stop pitching a trek to the zoo (here) as a vacation. You might sense that I'm a little bitter about my own situation, which this summer will not include a bonafide – and here's the real word – VACATION. But the made-up word is almost as annoying as the fact that I won't be sunning myself on a beach in Hawaii until at least July 2009.

(Same goes for "mockumentary," "Governator" and "webinar," just so you know.)

I have a hard time reading about anything that is pitched on the "staycation" premise. So when I got an item about a company called Excitations, which offers family-oriented "experiences" close to home, I felt compelled to toss it in the "recylacan."

But if you're looking for a cool gift idea or a way to experience something different, you'll find a variety of packages geared to every whim, from trapeze lessons to falconry hunts. One year, I wanted to find a culinary class for husband Steve. This company has several ways to learn about food and cooking, from private sushi lessons for two to home demos for parents and kids.

So while I wouldn't call these packages a vacation (although you can search based on a specified location), the activities are packaged in a fresh way and might just keep me happy while I'm dreaming about Hawaiian beaches.