Surprise summer vacation

We told the kids that we wouldn’t be taking our annual beach trip this year because we were too busy building the main house.

BUT...

I just couldn’t let summer go by without seeing the ocean. Halibut fishing is open for the weekend so we decided to surprise the kids. I have been planning this for a month or more. Quietly arranging a seaside rendezvous with my family. Everyone keeping it a secret from their children. I let Riley in on the secret and together we sneakily packed everyone’s clothes & loaded them in the bus.

Why is it that every time I carefully plan, things don’t always go smoothly?  The girls were already stressed and over-excited because Anna had rolled in the evening before and they were dying to see their cousins. It was tricky convincing them they had to wait. We told the kids we were going for lunch and just kept on driving. We were an hour into the drive and almost half way there and they still hadn’t caught on despite our obvious hints. I finally just tell them and it takes me 5 minutes to convince that we truly were heading to the beach.

Everyone is squished and all kinds of personal space is being invaded because Levi’s mammoth cooler is taking up most of the back seat (which oddly is never questioned). Relentless bickering is driving me crazy. By the time we get there I am all but foaming at the mouth and 2 of the boys lost their go-cart privileges which to them is about the same as lethal injection.

We’re here & tomorrow is a new day!

Comments

[Brandie Pahl]

What a fun suprise! Have fun and enjoy the time away.

That picture is adorable:)

[Angie]

hehe. Your car ride description has me smiling. Looks like you had a adventurous time...1970's cottage and all! :-) I'm sure you made memories that will last with the kids for a long time. Love that you surprised them!