I have been away this weekend, soaking up some downtime. It’s a lot of work, keeping it real in the suburbs. Especially when your helpers are 19 months old and 5 years old.
This the first time that our family of 4 has gone away on a vacation of any sort since Jacob was born over 19 months ago. We needed this. I think that it’s a good thing, once in a while, to get away. It’s important to spend time together, away from your daily distractions. It’s restorative, even if it can be a monumental hassle to orchestrate. I’m currently feeling more restored than hassled, and that’s a good thing.
Where are we? We’re in the little seaside village of Birch Bay, Washington, at my in-laws’ cabin. My husband Jon came here a lot as a kid and loved it, and he’s very glad to be able to share it with his own children.
I’ll be back in fighting form tomorrow. For now, I hope that you had a good Easter (if you swing that way) or at least a good weekend (if you don’t). And let me know – what do you do when you need a little downtime?
ooohhh my kids LOVE birch bay! hope you had fun!
Wine and cheerios — the breakfast of champions
What she said! LOL.
What a wonderful escape. The photos are gorgeous and I can feel the peace and relaxation in the air. May you capture that feeling and bring it with you home to savour whenever you want.
This is one of ours (http://pamiseasilyamused.blogspot.com/2010/03/farm-fulfillment.html), my sister’s farm about 45 minutes away. We also escape to my cousin’s cottage once a year which is such a great tradition for us. We’ve had unusually nice weather this weekend so even being at home has felt like an escape, rediscovering our outdoors without all the bugs.
.-= Pam´s last post ..Easter Unlikely Discovery =-.
I didn't even think of eating that for breakfast, it was more like bedtime snack. Missed opportunities!
Ahhhh two buck Chuck. I mean it isn’t two bucks anymore, but still. A great factor in any weekend.
.-= Tepary´s last post ..Close to Home =-.
Is it sad that my favourite photo is the glass of red?
.-= Ironic Mom´s last post ..Cleaning Tips I’ve Googled Since Having Twins =-.
I love beach holidays, any time of the year! Your holiday looks great.
Sadly I’m more inclined to shoo the family out of the door these days if I need some downtime – I’m not feeling the relaxation from family holidays these days. I can manage some renewal moments with the Wee Guy (like when we went up to Whistler ourselves for a mini break = great fun, or our summer in Scotland last year) but add in everyone = too much like normal housework. And I feel guilty as heck not wanting to go away with the mister as well but quite simply we’ve run out of ways to keep each other company currently.
.-= pomomama aka ebbandflo´s last post ..Friday forte: the spring break edition =-.
sigh…. it looks great..
.-= *pol´s last post ..Calm between the storms =-.
So glad you were able to get away all together! We love family trips, and the hassle of packing and unpacking seems negligible to me – though I can’t wait for the day when I can delegate to my kids that part of our trips:)
.-= Francesca´s last post ..Spring sewing fever =-.
That sounds awesome! I love those pictures.
We had NO downtime this weekend – I need to plan a downtime weekend for us, just to make up for our busy one this past week
.-= Dionna @ Code Name: Mama´s last post ..Guilty as Charged =-.
I love the picture of your daughter in the tree!
.-= Joni Rae´s last post ..Ostara 2010 =-.
I’ve known at least three other folks that always go down to Birch Bay. I’ve never been myself. I showed my husband some pictures of rental cabins down there last night and he wasn’t impressed…but then he has some weird fear of traveling with the kids. I can’t convince him otherwise.
I think it looks like fun myself. I’ve saved it in my weekend jaunts away folder for the time I convince the Man that traveling with kids won’t kill us.
.-= Marilyn @ A Lot of Loves´s last post ..Tattoos and Wedding Stories: Monday Mingle =-.
We’re just back from a family holiday too, but it’s so tricky to find the downtime in the family holiday. I need some alone time to wind down and it’s hard to find alone time on a family holiday. Still, it is very good to get out of the city and into the trees.
That looks like a lovely getaway!
I keep trying to take a Friday off work, but haven’t been successful in a while. Maybe next week . . .
.-= Lady M´s last post ..A Holiday Where You Get Candy =-.
Your trip sounds fantastic! It’s rare that you hear about moms having downtime WITH their kids…so it was refreshing to read your post.
We went on a cruise in November and it was great downtime – such a nice change in our routine – no rushing around, no cooking, no cleaning. We are hoping to do another family trip soon.
.-= Sheryl´s last post ..Stroller Naps =-.
It looks wonderful — how great to get away. Though jackets at the beach over Easter made me blink a few times! Still beautiful, no matter how chilly!!
.-= Cold Spaghetti´s last post ..The Best of the Best Just Posts 2009 =-.
Downtime at my in-laws is the best. There are tons of people to hang out with and someone else does all the cooking and cleaning unless I volunteer to help (and I do, but it’s not like being at home!) They are really great about keeping holidays relaxed and going with the flow.
.-= Maman A Droit´s last post ..Had a Great Weekend =-.
you lost me at the charles shaw – for some reason that wine and i do not sit well together.
Cute photos of the kids at the sea!
.-= Theresa´s last post ..communal global photo contest =-.
Love love love Birch Bay, my f-i-l has a place (more house than cabin), and we are down there tons, especially in the summer. It feels so relaxing like you’ve really been away, but it’s so close by! Glad to hear you’re feeling restored
.-= Jill´s last post ..Busybusy =-.
I miss Birch Bay…much of my childhood and beyond was spent there…just like Jon’s family, mine too called that little village their ‘holiday’ spot. And, I really miss Pay Day candy bars!
.-= Heather´s last post ..A Day Of Nothing =-.