Back in May, our family took what my granddaughter and I call a "mini-vacation". Usually it has just been Alexandra and I, but this time we got to include the two newest members of our family, Lilly and Jilly. As usual, it was kind of a spur of the moment, unplanned escape from everyday life.
The two little girls have this exhausting (for me) belief that anytime grandma is not at work she should be doing something with them, especially if I am off all day. They don't care if there are dishes or clothes that need washing, if the floor needs to be mopped or vacuumed or the toys put away. They do care a lot about whether I can take them shopping, to the park, zoo or aquarium, or any other activity they classify for the day as fun.
Because I needed to use (or lose) some vacation time I had earned, I ended up having Wednesday through Friday off. Alex and I had some errands that had to be handled and appointments I had already scheduled and Alex needed to work so we kept our plans close to home. I booked a room at Embassy Suites, a hotel located near the closest shopping mall, within walking distance of Alex's work and less than five minutes from home. for Thursday and Friday evening. We used Wednesday to shop with both girls, and let them go to Build-A-Bear and make a new soft friend. After dropping Alex off we went to a nearby park where the girls could run, jump and play to get some energy out before going home for naps, dinner and a little house cleaning, and packing for the coming days.
Lilly had been begging Cathy for a day alone, so on Thursday, Alex and I took Jilly with us. Most of the morning was spent shopping for some things Alex needed. After dropping Alex off, Jilly and I went to Chucky Cheese for lunch. Being the middle of a school day, there were very few people there and Jilly had a ball being able to just run around play games and enjoy the rides without anyone holding on to her. When I could finally get her away, we checked into the hotel, where she immediately had to change so we could go swimming. (Is there any other reason to go to a hotel?". After she tired of swimming she watched TV and played with her new stuffed animal. until she decided she was "too hungry to wait". So we walked across the street and the two of us had a dinner at a "big eating store" called Olive Garden. Once back at the hotel, Jilly put her pajamas on and promptly fell asleep watching a movie while grandma read emails on the computer. Around 11 pm I had to carry her out to the car so we could pick up Alex. Thursday morning we went downstairs for the continental breakfast.
After breakfast, we packed up Jilly and went home to switch kids. Jilly was excited to tell Cathy about her day and have a "mommy day" with her while we took Lilly with us. Of course the first thing on her fun to do list was swimming with Alex. Swimming always make everyone hungry, so a trip to Café Rio was in order. A movie at the big theatre in the mall sounded like a good idea, along with drinks, popcorn and candy. Alex didn't remember every eating at T.J. Fridays before, so it was a wonderful adventure for her and it was fun sampling some of their appetizers. By then we were all ready to head back to the hotel for a leisurely night of computer and coloring activities and just lounging in bed. In the morning I was able to garner about an hour of quiet, uninterrupted writing time before Lilly was awake and demanding attention. We let Alex sleep a little longer then woke her up to accompany us tot he breakfast buffet downstairs.
I love our mini-vacations. We don't take them as often as we would like, but they are worth the wait and the months of saving it sometimes involves. Lilly and Jilly have both been suggesting the past few days that we can go to the big house by the stores and stay overnight in a room again. They promise to be good.
Look around your own neighborhood for an opportunity to escape. It doesn't have to be overnight stays. Recently my daughter took a week off and she and her children found a museum, a fun park, an event or and attraction to go to each day for a week all within a 10 mile radius of their home. The point is, to get away, enjoy life and relax.
