Wednesday

I May Have Created a Monster

Well. Who knew that a getaway was exactly what we needed?

Okay, me. 

I cannot believe how much my hubby and I crammed into our 2.75 days alone.

First off, my kids survived and thrived. We are picking up my oldest from camp first thing Thursday morning before heading back to Texas. I know she will be smitten with her own getaway, even though the camp nurse called to tell me she lost her mouth appliance.

Good thing I missed her so much.

My mother-in-law survived the toddler and called her a delight.  

Whew.

(Because this is the key to another getaway....) Although, I will be the first to admit that it didn't take our 2 year old 10 minutes to throw a humdinger of a fit. It makes me feel proud that she welcomed us home so vocally.

And my son didn't even know we were gone. He filled his days with boy cousins and dirt.

Our getaway highlights:
My hubby and I watched THREE movies at a real-live movie theatre. We ate at very kid-unfriendly places. We shopped during nap time. I fell in love (like the rest of the world) with a bunch of vampires (I'm on book 3) and didn't mind at all that my hubby drove around Tulsa in circles without asking for directions, while I read.  Oh, and my hubby had his first pedicure with me. 

(I'm pretty sure I've created a monster on that last one. He wants to know when we can go again!)

Oh, and we reignited the spark for at least another 15 years.

My suggestion for you: If a getaway is completely out of the question for you and your spouse, plan an entire day to getaway. From 9 am to 9 pm on the first day, we discovered something we'd lost along the way:  each other. Our kids demand so much of our attention and we could feel the stress melt away...Make it happen. You'll be glad you did!

P.S. There's a little contest going on over in my forum. Just introduce yourself and you'll be entered to win a $25 Target gift card. Reply to others and you'll be entered multiple times!

33 comments:

Michelle said...

Lol at your hubby loving the pedicure..maybe that's what couples need to do once in awhile go to the spa together.Must plan a day out with hubbyman soon.

Michelle said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

We went to Cancun for our 15th anniversary a couple of years ago. Yes, without, kids. It was great. Although I never asked my hubby to get a pedicure. Don't know what he'd think. And since he's a cop, whose beat includes the local mall, I'll never get him to do one in our town!!!!

LifeAtTheCircus.com said...

I TOTALLY hear ya girlie. My hubby and I went away this weekend and it was amazing. We had the most perfect day together on Sat that I have had with him in forever.

ShEiLa said...

Kudos to YOU both.

Time away from the kiddos will make things so much nicer... for them.

ToOdLeS.

Jennifer said...

That is awesome that you are able to do that. I am glad that y'all were able to have a good time. I haven't slept away from my kids for the three years I have had them, except for the one night I was in the hospital giving birth to my youngest. This September we are finally taking a vacation with NO kids! Yippie! We are going to Washington DC for three nights!! However, I am pretty nervous about being away from them so long. I think I will miss the little ones.

bridget {bake at 350} said...

Glad you had a wonderful trip!

I just finished Vampire book 4. :) It was fun to revert back to my inner teenager while reading them.

Nicole A. said...

Ohhhh I am so jealous! We need a get away! I am glad you had such an awesome trip! My husbands mom and my dad and lots of other family of ours live in Tulsa, We miss it there!

Oonie said...

What's in the air with all of us mommies and the vampires?! I have been mentally living in Forks for the last 10 days after borrowing the first from a niece to see what the fuss was about. Oh, I get it now. And I'm with Bridget: the best part is revisiting 17 without having to BE 17.
So glad you had a good time--next time, get your hubby a facial! Mine loves them now...not that either of us has had one in ages!

se7en said...

My Husband and I recently got lunch and an afternoon off and my goodness what a pleasure. We have had kids for almost twelve years and it never occurred to us to go out... Let alone leave se7en kids with sitters! What a pleasure we ate at a pavement restaurant without worrying if the kids were going to get run over... we browsed the adult section in a book shop - no board books, no kiddie stories, we lingered over ice-cream we quwaffed copious amounts of coffee... and my kids keep asking when we are going again - Well worth it for everyone!!! Now if I could just invite those sitters back!!!

The Halbert Home said...

My husband likes pedicures too. We both had our first one ever together when were dating.

Cathy said...

We hope to get a get-away next month!!! Keeping our fingers crossed. lol

Christie O. said...

every time my husband and i do this, we not only reconnect, we laugh, A LOT. and we always come home with new inside jokes and new stories to keep referring to over and over again and that, to me, is so very valuable. i'm glad you got to get away and i'm glad you got to fall in love with the vampires!!! i did!

elise said...

Hi Kristen,

I absolutely LOVE your honesty! Sitting here in my sewing room and laughing at what you write. You're so talented and I must tell you I'm addicted to your blog . You have to write a book (really) I'll be in line for the first copy. Thanks for sharing your humor and all of your great talents with all of us. You ROCK!

Huriya said...

oh man the trip sound really good.. 3 movies?? wow we haven't watched a movie in "real theater" for last 3 yrs..
I feel very guilty leaving my kids .. did you have that feeling?

Mary @ Giving Up On Perfect said...

My husband and I recently spent a day without the kiddo to celebrate our anniversary. And starting on Sunday, we’re taking a four-day vacation without her. The one day was AWESOME – lots of grown-up talk, a movie in the theater, enjoying leisurely meals (without a single tear or tantrum), and shopping without a stroller. I’ll admit, though, I’m REALLY nervous about four whole days!!! Not nervous to be alone with my husband – don’t worry, that’s the part I’m super excited about! – but nervous about leaving my kiddo alone for so long. Since she’ll be with my parents, I’m quite sure we’ll all survive, though!

grannyann said...

Glad you had a neat time. It is always good to do a little getaway once in awhile.

Angie said...

Survived AND thrived. Great news!

We are so overdue for something like this. I like your idea of just starting with one day. That's doable! I didn't know you have a forum since I'm kind of new here. I'll check it out.

A Musing Mother said...

San Francisco TOMORROW. Gave hubby "Wicked" tickets for his birthday (I am exploiting it, of course). Splitting the kids between my sister and parents. It's going to be AWESOME!

Except I started my period this morning.

Stef Layton said...

my 6yr would like to thank you - I became a yes mom, and they had a terrific day.
Stef

(check out the mess!!)

Happy said...

That sounded like a wonderful getaway! My husband could seriously use a pedicure, but he hates people touching his feet. He uses a PedEgg, though, and he's not at all insecure about it.

Isn't funny how "delightful" toddlers really do end up being "delightful" for the grandparents?

Young Wife said...

Hi, there! I just found your blog. My dh and I are planning a weekend getaway. This gave me some good ideas! Thanks.

Robin said...

Glad to hear about your get-away. Greg and I get regular date nights now - since we grew our own babysitter! But it's been about 3 years since we've had an overnight outing. I'm thinking we need to ditch the kids for a night or two when we go visit Greg's family next month.

Amy Ramey said...

I loved reading about your getaway! I've started counting down for mine and hubby's getaway in October! :) We're spending 3 days in a cabin in the mountain in the woods. No other human beings for at least a mile. And I've been forbidden from planning the first thing :)

Angelina said...

Getting away is awesome! I love taking off in the car with hubby and not looking back.....we dont get to plan these kinds of things tho- it kinda just happens......and I am glad when it does. Having a quiet dinner is priceless and having no time frame is nice too!

Rebecca said...

ooh-la-la! I especially love that the spark is reignited -- we all need that once in a while, don't we?! My get-away with my love is in the plans...either San Francisco or Chicago in September...I can't wait!!

Maureen at IslandRoar said...

That sounds amazing. Congratulations.
So important to keep that spark going.And the kids always survive.
Very cute picturing you both getting pedis.

Michelle said...

My husband and I really need a getaway. I think we need a getaway more than once every 15 years though. I think twice a year is what we need. Even a weekend away is refreshing.

gatornic said...

Good for you guys...getting away from the kiddos and eating at "real" restaurants. :) Glad you had a great time. And btw, I'm right there with you on the books...I read all four in 7 days...it's quite an addiction. How are you liking them?

Carrie B said...

The Hubby and I spend at least one weekend away a year and it's always so nice. Looking forward to our 23rd anniversary weekend in August at the Beach.
With 2 out of 3 kids in college now, it's almost going to be an everyday occurence.
Isn't it nice to still be in love?!

Kimberly said...

We haven't had time alone in a long time! A friend of mine keeps suggesting she take the three kids to provide us a date night -- after this post, I think I might just take her up on it! God bless her!

Nancy said...

Now Tulsa isn't that bad - I miss Tulsa (Home) - we are displaced OK in MO right now wanting to go home. Actually home is North East of Tulsa in Locust Grove/Salina OK Area. So, where in the world did you drive around in circles in Tulsa?

I found your blog via another blog and love it - I am inviting you over to our Ranch across the Blog Range where the coffee's always hot and the door open! Stop by and say hi sometime!

Take Care

Erin Wright said...

i just finished book 4 a couple of nights ago. agreed, much better to experience 17 vicariously : ) 17 as i knew it was nothing like it seems to be in Forks : )

i love to read, and your blog is counted on my things to read list!