Summer Family Trip

I couldn't wait until our vacation... It was much needed. So needed, I probably could of used a pre-cation before the actual vacation. Mom was getting cranky, snappy and short with people. Toward the end of summer I don't tolerate what I usually can. My battery gets depleted, which yes, is pretty hard to do. The summer can drain the juice from me- keeping the boys active and occupied during these hot days require a whole lot of energy on top of my usual expense. This is why I like to plan a little something-something for us toward the end of summer. I wanted a different type of vacation than we have had before, something new. We decided on a cruise... to Mexico. Off we went from mom's tight home ship to a much looser one.

It started with a couple of giggles. I admit, I am geographically challenged. I am also a sweet girl, however not so on the road. I have a heavy foot, ride peoples tails, sing and sometimes think the rules of the road don't apply to me. My kids now call me Mario. I am that annoying driver. These challenges and driving habits of mine tend to not mix well. Jen-Jen decided to hit the road and had the confidence to hit it without a Tom-Tom. I made it to Huntington Beach when I knew that though it was a nice place, things weren't quite right. I had made great time due to my lead foot, but went about 25 mins too far. Just when I wanted to shout out to the world all things wrong with mapquest.com I stopped. It was me. I was probably messing with my phone, applying lip gloss or eating when I missed my turn. Yes, I multitask in the car on top of all the other rotten stuff too. I didn't know if it was the caffeine I had ingested or the fact that I might be lost that gave me mild tremors. The boys chuckled in the back as I was having a hard time. Stink tells me I will figure it out, I always do. I did. I stopped and played the lost little girl like I was to a cute surfer boy and got hand written directions. Made it... early!

On to the next giggle as we get into our teeny-tiny room (which I don't mind... we like to be cozy).

The boys exchanged some brotherly dialogue as they looked at each other and caught a little gasp of air between laughs.

We had a freakin' blast!! Waking up to sea breeze and ocean waves takes me to a different place, on a ship or off. I was thankful that my cell phone didn't work... I thoroughly enjoyed getting away from electronics, some people, and even forgot what day and time it was at one point. We went to Catalina Island, where we para sailed and did some kayaking. The para sailing was my fave... so peaceful way up there, and I had my two bundles of joys right by my side. My babes faves was the kayaking. The water was so clear, so beautiful. We kayaked most of the day, down to Turtle Rock. Towards the beginning, midway and end the boys took dips in the Pacific. Benny freaked for a moment when a piece of seaweed touched his leg as he was swimming. I shouldn't have asked, "What is that?" as I looked at the weed in the water next to him. His eyes got big and he swam to the boat, quick-quick-quick. When we arrived in Mexico, we took a tour where the guide put Benny and I to sleep on the bus literally. The boys enjoyed seeing the blow-hole and we did some shopping afterwards while chomping on fresh churros. Stink was kind of scared at all the screaming they did to get you into their shops, so he left the haggling to mom. We found quiet people and decided to go into their shops. The boys got a handmade gift with their names on them. There was a purse that caught my eye... and I strayed from Vittorio until I can get to one of his shops. Until then I will be happy with my piece made by a faux Italian.

Here is Benny... writing a note to mom about how he is going to be respectful at the next nights dinner. It's difficult for kids to jump from wild ship to fancy dinner, but we couldn't leave out the fancy dinners so we had to make some minor adjustments to behavior for this. My cupcakes were excited to dress up for our evenings... my handsome little men. They looked sweeter than the desserts that were served. Sergeant Stink and I danced at dinner... just like we do at home sometimes together. We were thanked by a stranger for our show the next day. The food was delicious and always available... made me glad I continued with my running obsession on deck 12.

The ship had so much for the kids and I to do. I decided to spend and afternoon with each son of mine, individually. Benny and I played golf, shuffleboard, ping-pong, and his favorite of going down the water slide. We had a special lunch together and didn't talk about our concerns... just had pure fun. Stink got gypped out of his afternoon because he caught a Mexican flu-bug. I thought he was getting motion sickness until he spiked a fever and had complaints of a headache. I was just glad that this happened on the last day so my love could enjoy some of his trip. It didn't stop him from the hot tub, so that's where he plopped. It did halt our afternoon with just each other though, so we re-scheduled our date together for when he is feeling better. His brother got a little more time with mom, but this has been a harder year for him. He needed it. His love language is quality time and he for sure got his love-tank filled by mom this trip. It all worked out just the way it was supposed to.

Benny discovered room service. I was snuggling my sick one when he asked if he could order. Of course I said yes and I kept one ear nestled with Stink, and the other listening to this event. I hear him ask over the phone, "What is the dessert for the day? Oh, cheesecake, that sounds good... can I have two pieces? Oh wait, I also want a chocolate cake and some cookies with milk. 3 milks." Just as I was about to fall asleep with the Sergeant I look over my shoulder to find Benny with a tray full of sweets on the floor. He's in his underwear, holding his fork with a piece of chocolate cake watching Phineas and Ferb. It was heaven on ship for him. The boys also learned a little bit about tipping this trip as well. I kind of missed the room service guy (sorry) but the boys enjoyed tipping our steward Some-Butt for the animals made out of towels and the chocolates left on our beds after dinner. Some-Butt told me I looked so pretty as we headed out for dinner one night. Stink told me the same thing before, after I put my dress on. The sun-kissed glow and scarlet lips got Some-Butt a nicer tip for being such a gentlemen. Benny ran out of the room with the tip and I hear him say, "Hey Some-Butt, thank you for the towels and thank you for telling my mom she is beautiful."

I also spent some time with Judy... A massage therapist who made me feel like my back was made out of large bubble wrap. Thank you for fixing that. I also fed my head with the dry, dirty humor I need once in a while. Chelsea Handler is a fabulous author who gave me lots of laughs as I layed out and got my fix.

We were crazy about the ice cream cones on the ship... one of the best that kept us coming back. So we left on our last day at 10:30am, going out eating morning ice cream cones.

We were sad to leave, but always glad to come home where our heart is. I must have gotten the question more than a couple of times on the ship, "Is it just you and your boys here?" Yes. The only person I could see that truly figured out my response was another single mother who was older than I that I met at dinner. She took a trip with her two boys... only they were about grown. If I had a choice of who to take on a vacation it would of course first be the little loves of my life... they are so important to me and spending time with them is what matters most and makes me happy. I could be anywhere in the world with them and love it, so would they... but on a ship and away from it all was the perfect ending to our summer break. I love you two pickles... wink, wink ;)