Vacations then and now
We spent last week in Corolla, NC. It was the first vacation we’ve had in over 3 years so it was much needed. We rented a big house in the Outer Banks with my in-laws. OBX is a really long drive from Nashville so we broke it up into 2 days each way. During the many, many, many hours on the road, I was thinking how road trips and vacation have changed for me in the past 10 years.
Then: I made sure I had lots of mixed tapes or CDs (depending on the decade) and some audio books for the road trip.
Now: We bought a DVD player and listened to Nemo, Ariel, Aladin, Tiana, and other assorted characters. The radio wasn’t turned on once. I may never be able to permanently remove the lyrics of “Ain’t Never Had a Friend like Me” from my brain. I’ve been singing it for 12 days now.
Then: I had a stash of cigarettes, diet soda, and junk food for the trip.
Now: A stash of goldfish, juice boxes, and a cooler with yogurt and grapes keep the girls happy.
Then: I made as few stops as possible on the road – as long as I had my smokes and some tunes I was good to go.
Now: I am held hostage by a 4 year old bladder, diaper changes, and the need to feed the girls something with nutritional value every few hours.
Then: I spent hours on the beach reading mindless novels and baking in the sun while listening to the waves crash. I was determined to return home with a burn tan to prove I had just vacationed at the beach.
Now: I wear SPF 85 and a hat and a tshirt and sit under an umbrella. Sun poisoning sucks. So do wrinkles. No one would guess I just spent 7 days at the ocean.
Then: I plopped into a beach chair, put on my sunglasses, and relaxed. Not a care in the world while at the beach.
Now: I spent my limited time on the beach fretting about the children getting sunburned or drowning. I rarely sat because Tessa seemed determined to dive into the ocean and swim to Africa.
Then: A week in the sun left my skin fried clear and glowing.
Now: A week of sun screen left me with the first zits I’ve had in ages.
Then: It was all about coming home with some great stories from my vacation.
Now: It is all about making great memories for my girls.
I can TOTALLY relate! haha We just spent a week at the beach, too, and I was thinking “When do i get to read my book?” and “When will I have a chance to close my eyes for a moment out here on this pretty, sunny beach?” Umm, yeah..I didnt read ONE word from a book (unless you count “I Like Myself”…my 1 yr old’s current fav), and I never closed my eyes, perhaps didnt even BLINK while on the beach, for fear that Miss Fearless D. Independence would dive under water in the blink of that eye, and forever be washed out to see.
I used to think “I could NEVER vacation without my kids! Id miss them too much!”….ummm….yeah….notsomuch anymore. We are already talking about when Whitney will be able to sleepover at my parents for more than one night! haha
Glad yall made fun memories! We loooove Corolla! Did you get to hit up the Brew Thru? 🙂
Happened upon your blog – very cute! Thanks for sharing
This was so good. A little depressing, but good!! Oh, back then……….but we wouldn’t change it for the world, would we??
Great pics and glad you all had fun
Glad you had a good, albeit different, vacation.
Those swim vests the girls are wearing, where did you get them? I saw someone with a similar one but can’t find them anywhere near me.
Great pictures! It’s funny, while I was in the adoption process, I used to go to the beach and feel so envious of all the moms with their little ones running around. Now when I go to the beach with Elizabeth, as much fun as it is, I think, wow, I would love to have just 15 minutes to just lie on my towel and listen to my IPOD…:)
The pictures are lovely and they do definitely shout VACATION!! I love making memories for my kids. Even if I don’t get to do anything, I want them to be able to remember that they did SOMETHING over school break as I never had that opportunity as a kid.
Oh how kids change everything!!!!! Great post!!!!
I always say to my husband that for a stay at home mom there is no vacation, just a change of location!!
Love this post! I think those same things. I used to lay on the beach, relax and enjoy. Then I was at the point where I would watch the moms with their kids and I would envy them, I had no idea how lucky I was at the time to be free on the beach. It’s fun to see Serena having fun but it’s just not the same for me. It’s ok though, I had 42 years on the beach just for me, now it’s time to for Serena to have fun! Great pictures too!
LOVE this post! We’re in San Diego right now, and the comparison to then and now is perfect. I did get a wee bit too much sun, and I am hating life. Before, it was a badge of honor to be fried. Now? Not so much. I love the beach-but I am missing my bed 🙂
I have to say the “Now vacation” is much much better! :o)) What a great post. Got me thinking :o)
Lucienne Ursprung
Michelle Smiles