My Real Life

So, we’re headed home, today.

While it is obvious that I will miss being on vacation the most, there are other, less obvious things that I will miss, as well.

1.  One way major streets.  Call me lazy, but it’s so nice to only have to look one way and know it’s safe to cross your brood.

2.  Mixed recyclable collection.  How much do I love tossing my cardboard, glass, and plastic all in one, enormous bin?  So much.  That’s how much.

3.  Beach house = One Floor = Not spending the entire day chasing Tiny up and down stairs.

4.  Being within walking distance of everything, and I mean EVERYTHING.

5.  Being able to take my morning walks.  Tiny wakes up and he and I can head right out, because my parents are at the house for when the big monkeys wake.  When Real Man is here, he can come with me and THAT is awesome.

6.  The ability to give the kids a little more freedom.  Monkey in the Middle forgot to bring the paddleball set down to the beach, one day, and asked if he could go home and get it by himself.  We let him, and he commented “I feel like such a big, responsible kid!”

7.  Playing paddleball.  Monkey in the Middle believes that paddleball is ONLY to be played on the beach.  So, despite my assurances we could play and have fun in the yard at home, that set is going to be carefully put away until next summer.  As an aside, Monkey in the Middle worked our way up to 96 in our volleys, without stopping, and I was tres proud.  Then Real Man wanted a turn.  They hit 116.  Show-offs.

8.  The beach.  I don’t necessarily LOVE the beach.  I’m not a beach bunny, and would be just as happy camping or taking the kids to the mountains for vacation, but this year, I found myself able to utterly relax on the beach.  The big kids can entertain themselves, and Tiny likes to play right in front of us, or stand in the water.  Because it was a private beach, where my parents rented, there weren’t too many people, and we were able to sit right at the waters edge, right next to the lifeguard stand.  Believe it or not, I was even able to crack open a book on the beach, this year.

The beach also provides some excellent people-watching.  From eavesdropping on the lifeguard banter to just hiding behind my sunglasses and watching all the other families interact, the beach cannot be beat for social observance.

9.  The lack of stuff.  We didn’t bring any “toys” this year, and none were needed.  We brought our board games and cards, and all were well-used.  For entertainment, we played games, went outside and played with rocks, flew a kite, went to the beach, rode scooters, hit the library and read and so on.  There were Wiggles moments, and Monkey Girl spent a few days FaceTiming her cousin, and technology was used but there was good time together without “stuff.”  We could pick up the magazines Tiny insisted on spreading across the floor and the house would basically be put-together.  Reminds me that we could do without 99% of the “stuff” we have at home, and no one would probably blink an eye.

10.  24-7 with Real Man and the Monkeys.  I love this family.  I love them so much, sometimes it makes my heart ache.  Real Man is back to work on Monday and in a few, short weeks, the Monkeys and I are back to school and I am going to miss them all so much.