Lessons from Vacation

Sometimes I feel like every day is vacation for me...and, on the flip side, I also sometimes feel like every day is a work day. Staying at home with Alyse, I sometimes have the sense that all of our days are the same: wake up around the same time every morning, big chunk of time in the morning to play/work before lunch, nap same time everyday, several hours in the afternoon again to play/work before dinner, bath time, and bed. It's not a bad sameness, but whether we are on vacation or home doing our regular routing, the schedule is more or less the same. So, being able to kind of change it up a little while we were with my mom and step-dad was fun. Mostly, this meant that my mom (and Brandon once he was with us) stepped in and got Alyse up some mornings so I got to sleep in a bit (heavenly!), or other people put her down for her nap or bedtime, again, so I could do other things (dates with Brandon, read a book which I am horrible at making time for in my normal life). While Alyse got to spend extra time with Grandma Karen and Papa Scott, she learned some wonderful life lessons. 1. Discover a new talent and practice often Playing Grandma's Piano...we'll probably inherit this baby grand since Alyse has such natural, raw talent

Finger painting with yogurt, so yummy you have to lick your fingers

Alyse discovered a natural knack for taking pictures and snapped them freely-- thank goodness for digital cameras!

2. Make new friends, but keep the old (as my old girlscout song goes: One is silver and the other is gold...does that mean one is actually worth more than the other? It doesn't seem as nice a song now that I'm older!) I got to take off for 24 hours for a fun filled day and night with some of my old best friends...we stayed in a really nice hotel, ate a lovely and relaxing dinner (no kid to rush us!), sat in the hot tub, roasted complimentary s'mores after 11pm at night when all of us are usually asleep, and stayed up way too late talking. We even fit in a workout the next morning and time at the outlets. SO FUN-- love these ladies!!!

We tried to see as many friends as possible, and even had playdates with some of their kiddos (Ginny and Jana's kids featured in this pic with Alyse)

My DC friend, Sharyn, went on a hike with us one day and I loved walking through the mountains and catching up with her on her life.

3. Take full advantage of where you are Went to the zoo multiple times with cousin Hannah

Took advantage of living in the burbs and played in the backyard as much as possible

Went hiking and camping with and without Alyse :)

4. Let family spoil you as much as they want No explanations needed...