Challenges of a Family Vacation

Were back!! The annual family vacation is behind me. We spent 10 gloriously sunny days in Orlando. Managed a trip to Disney World's Magic Kingdom, Typhoon Lagoon, hit the T-Rex Cafe, Downtown Disney, The Town of Celebration, plus shopping and countless hours swimming in our very own backyard pool. Giggles a plenty and very few tears. Victory!

The anticipation of this couple of weeks away with those I love dearest could have left me near hysteria. So much to look forward to, a couple of unexpected surprises along the way and oh so much to do. I survived the pre-vacation hysterics and then was confronted with the day to day challenges the modern day vacation. I'm proud to say I conquered each challenge I met with style ..if not always with grace.

Challenge #1
Packing. It can and did take on a life of its own! Let's do some math. There are only 4 people in my family, a 10 day trip is planned, and I have only 3 suitcases. Each of those must be under 50 pounds? C'mon! Do you know how much shoes weigh? I hate math. We checked in with two 48 pounders and one at 46! Still room for souvenirs!
Challenge #2
How to balance Family time vs Me time while away on the coveted vacation. I may be a Mom, but I want to be rockin that tan by the time I get home. Managed by lucking out with fab kids who love to swim. Pool time. Check. Tan. Check. Even managed to read a couple of books. How great is that.
Challenge #3
Deciding how many fast food/take out meals you can serve your loved ones before you enter bad Mommy territory and generally start putting every ones health at risk.
I started trading french fries for apple slices and bought freezies made with "real fruit juice". Seemed to help my conscience and we all survived.
Challenge #4
What does the modern suburban Momma wear to the water park?? Yikes! More on that later.
Challenge #5
I am SICK of cleaning up after all of you people! I do enough of that at home and here we are with 8 people crammed into this house. Must justify the purchase of paper plates and plastic cups so I can get a break from the flippin dish duty! Hey I guess if it works for Jon and Kate plus 8, it will work for me.
Challenge #6
The other Mommy we were travelling with was FOREVER fussing and cleaning.
I ever so gently reminded her it was her vacation too and got that girl a drink.
Challenge #7
Sex with so many people in the house? HA...not giving you any details here, but don't worry, we figured it out. :)
Challenge #8
Shopping Shopping Shopping! So many things I wanted to buy! The jeans, the purses, the shades.....
What to do. I shouldn't. He said I ABSOLUTELY should. See Challenge #7! Hee Hee
Challenge #9
How do we get back so we can do the whole thing all over again...