Viaje a México

Traveling with 2 toddlers is hard - it just is. The physical demands of squirming bodies in compact places. The mental demands of preparing to make every scenario a happy and safe one.

I spent all week packing. Monday: food and medicines. Tuesday: toys and pool stuff. Wednesday: clothing. Thursday: carry-ons with travel entertainment. Etc. That on top of the hours we spent finding the proper sun gear. Solar Ray Mitigator is my new job title and I have the long sleeve shirts and 7 types of sunscreen to prove it.

But it was worth it. OH SO WORTH IT. Seven days of pure happiness and sandy adventure that I hope you won't forget.

What I want to remember...

Henry playing in 4 square inches of sand in a tree planter, "ha ha ha, so essited (excited)" coming nonstop out of his mouth – not even registering that he is 5 feet away from a pool the size of Costco and 10 feet away from miles of sandy beach.

Lucy and Lizzie roaming the pool, playing 100 variations of mermaid sisters. Overhearing conversations such as

• Lizzie: "Let's play that this is poison and we have to mix it by the sand and then we'll pretend there is a treasure."
• Lucy: "Ok. Swim to me, my dear."

Making road in the sand with Henry - way easier than sand castles and more interesting for a lover of wheels.

Swimming under the full moon with the sounds of the surf and the kids laughing.

Hot sun on my face and cool sand on my feet, running straight into the ocean at Playa Del Carmen.

The food - ¡Oh, la comida deliciosa!

And SO many other things. I'm already dreaming of going again. Maybe we can all learn some Spanish before than.

Until then:

Ver fotos de nuestro viaje a México

Uh-oh, it's contagious

First, one succumbs to the princess fever.

Soon, another is taken.

And then, we've got a full-blown outbreak in the house.

You better run for cover, Daddy. You're next.

Book of Mom 1:30

And lo and behold, there was at this time, no crying at drop off.

And the heavens did open and hosts of heavenly angels did sing hallelujah and praises to God.

Yeah, and it came to pass that there was all manner of rejoicing in the land.

Winter blues

January is almost over. It has felt like a very long journey. And it has been - the journey back to our routine. I didn't realize the holiday break would upset so much of our normalcy but we've jumped right to the waking at night (ugh), the crying at drop off (worst thing ever), the constant gray and rain (sigh), and no extended family in sight (boo).

I'm convinced this combination could bring down an empire, much less an anxiety-prone mama.

So, I forgive myself for feeling bleak and tired of it all. I'm back on medication and determined to take it regularly for a while - for all our sakes.

Mexico is next week and we are all excited (maybe not Henry yet). I am praying for a healthy family, relaxing days of beach fun, smooth travel, and a much less arduous transition back into our lives after this break.

I love you all so much.

Mama