~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~
Every Thursday, here at Like Mother, Like Daughter!
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We've been recovering this last week from a long trip to Massachusetts over Christmas and New Year's. It had everything from flaming plum pudding to cousins in matching homemade Christmas pajamas, but the most exciting non-Christmas thing that we did was that Capt. P and I left the munchkins with my parents for a few nights and stole away for a quiet weekend on our own on Nantucket.
When you consider that:
1) the only time we've both been gone overnight since Pippo was born was when I gave birth to Molly, and
2) our two date night attempts in the last two years have featured a) milkshakes and a dead car battery and b) formalwear and a stomach bug,
you will realize that this was a Very Big Deal.
We enjoyed it immensely, and couldn't wait to get back to our babies. It was just right.
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Also, Pippo turned four!
About 25 aunts, uncles, grandparents, and cousins gamely rolled out of bed the day after Christmas for some mid-morning cake and presents. (hey, you try scheduling a December 26 birthday party around all the other festivities and chocolate-eating, not to mention naptimes! We do our best.)
{funny}
It was unseasonably balmy in Massachusetts for most of our visit — bad news for those of us who were counting on our trip to the Northeast to satisfy our love of snow (we get the cold and the wind here in Southwest Oklahoma, but not much in the way of snow!), but good news for little ones who want to play outside!
In other news, trampolines + fleece = static electricity.
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You can't fly with a couple of little ones to New England in the middle of winter and expect not to get sick; when we make our travel plans this time of year we generally factor in recovery time for the inevitable colds and bugs we will pick up. This year was rough, though — in addition to the expected colds, we also picked up a case or two of the flu about halfway through our trip. This put a damper on our social plans; we basically spent the last week or so of our trip camped out on my poor in-laws' sofa, blowing our noses and generally being cheerful bluebirds of happiness.
Our trip home was also rough — we're pretty used to flying with babies at this point, and our kids are generally good travelers. But on this trip (which included multiple bouts of inconsolable crying on the part of one child, with the other child getting full-on airsick during one such crying episode) my one consolation was that all the other families on our flight (and there were several others) could take comfort in the knowledge that their children were not the worst-behaved on the airplane.
Sometimes it's our turn to be That Family. You're welcome, everyone else.
(I feel the same way at Mass, actually. Sometimes it's just your turn.)
Anyway, it was a good trip, even if it wasn't our easiest one. And it's good to be home.
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Ruth Anne says
Love the static hair! Glad you had a nice trip, even if you did spend part of it sick. Yes, here in New England (we’re in RI) was so nice over Christmas! My kids asked (when it finally did snow a few weeks ago) if it was Christmas because of the snow… (I’ll be getting my P,H,F,R post up later today!)
Ellen says
Oh, I’m sorry it was your turn! I live in fear of it being our turn, so I kinda hide in the back of the class, keeping my mouth shut and head down. In other words, we haven’t left our house much lately! And congratulations for getting out for a few nights(!) to Nantucket! My husband and I took a very long day trip there last year and left our (then just 1) kiddo at home with her Godmother, and we had a blast. I have to ask though, was the ferry ride very choppy since it’s the winter? We went in October and the ride back was so choppy, many passengers got very seasick. It kinda put a damper on the trip!
Rosie says
We actually spent the extra money to take the faster boat because I was worried the ride would make me too sick (normally I love being on the water, but get very easily motion sick when I’m pregnant). I’m glad we did – it wasn’t as bad as I feared, but an hour was about all I could take!
Kimberlee says
Merry Christmas, Rosie! So sorry to hear you had so much sickness during your visit with your family back home. Very cool (and wise) that you sneaked in that getaway with your husband. And may I say your attitude with all the sickness and travel woes is quite refreshing – the forthright acceptance of ‘your turn’ and total lack of self-pity. You can kind of tell whose daughter you are. 😉 God bless you all!
Catherine says
My brother’s birthday is 12/27 and mine is 12/31. We always thought it wasn’t fair that we got mittens and our siblings got beach towels for their summer birthdays.
Kathy@9peas says
When Pete was in the Navy and we traveled with little ones, we always factored in the inevitable illness that would come. They have very strong immune systems by the age of 5 though, so it was worth it. That cake Pippo got for his birthday looks fantastic, YUM!
Rebekah says
Totally Agree! Sometimes, it’s just your turn. Nothing to be too embarrassed about! I feel like I’m always reminding other moms and myself to just cut ourselves a break!
Stephanie says
A Nantucket weekend…just the sound of it is so romantic and so New England! Your attitude is the BEST when it comes to just knowing it might be “your turn.” Have you read Jim Gaffigan’s Dad Is Fat? Good parenting humor!
Elizabeth says
My husband and I used to get sick every time we flew to see family… then my naturopath told me to do this:
1. with purell or other sanitizing wipes wipe down ASAP the arm rests, travel tray, light above (if you touch them anyway).
2. we have this sprayed in the back of our mouths : mediherb Herbal Throat Spray (has cloves in it)
3. drink minimum 1 cup h2o/hour (hydration keeps one from illness quite often)
We’ve traveled up to 8 plus hours and no illness and many shorter flights since.
Also, this may seem odd, but a lot of us have ear pressure problems in planes and I think children do too. I often hear babies or young kids crying on planes during ascent and descent. As the steward or stewardess for plastic cups and cup 1 over each ear (so 2 cups) during ascent and descent. I learned this trick from my Dad who years ago had to have a crazy fast descent into NJ and the stewardess handed out cups for everyone to put over their ears… it’s also helped me over the years (gum chewing, water drinking and yawning can also help).
Traveling with kids is hard and sickness often happens it seems; hope these above can help it happen LESS for you all!
Blessings!
Rosie says
I’ve never heard of that cup trick! I’ll have to give it a shot next time. Poor Pippo had a rough time with his ears on the way there, but on the trip back he was (/we were) more prepared and had practiced yawning and other tricks. Plus, of course, that sort of thing is just easier to handle when you’re 4. 🙂
Theresa says
yep, sometimes it’s just our turn. I never take credit for the children behaving well at mass, some of the older ones were horrors when they were little, but it doesn’t last (well it hasn’t done yet!)
Maurisa says
Oh, that dandelion fluff! Too cute. So sorry you all are sick. Get better soon!
Terri says
I totally agree with the other comments about your attitude, Rosie. It’s so refreshing and inspiring. Also–I’m loving Pippo’s shirt in his birthday pic.
Rosie says
It’s pretty sharp, isn’t it? It was a Christmas gift from his Aunt Natasha.
Jennifer says
Sounds like a lovely holiday minus the flu and screaming children on the plane. Glad you got away alone.
Marcia says
You are one heroically cheerful mom, and you and the hubby totally deserve the trip. Congratulations! ‘Hope everyone has fully recovered.
Laura says
Ah the plane. We took an overly ambitious Disney trip involving air travel when my oldest was three. He picked up a particularly intense stomach bug on the way and we all spent the week in the hotel room. It would have almost been funny but for the small fortune we spent on the Disney tickets that went unused.
Margo, Thrift at Home says
I love the concept of turns! Of course, sometimes it’s just our turn. That is what I will say to myself next time – thank you for the new mantra 🙂
Hope you are all fully recovered now. I adore Pippo’s new shirt.
Brandy says
My son turned 4 on Dec. 26, too. How fun! The birthday planning can definitely get tricky 🙂
Lindsey says
Happy new year to all of you! So glad you got a weekend away! And happy birthday to Pippo!
Woman of the House says
Pippo cannot be fours years old already! He’s looking so grown up! I’m glad you and the Captain had a chance to get away. I’m sure you enjoyed yourselves. Happy new year!
Tess says
I love your great comments at the end about how we all have our turn being “That Family”. I read it out loud to my husband and said, “Let’s remember that to console us when our turn comes around!” You have such a great sense of humor and cheerful attitude. 🙂