It's finally here!

It's finally August!!!

All summer long I have been anxiously waiting for August to get here. August is when I get to take my week-long vacation. I know, a lot of people would say "What do you need to take a vacation from?!" I stay home all day and I only have 1 child. Some people would call that a vacation. But in all honesty, I love going on our family vacation. It is 2 things that I absolutely love put together. What could be better? The family consists of my husband Jeff, little ladybug Charley, my parents, and my brother Andy and his girlfriend Lauren. And the vacation.... Well, that is the best part. It is a week of being away from the house! I get a week of fishing, sleeping in, 1/2 mom duty (Grandma loves taking care of Charley), 1/4 chef duty (we each prepare 2 meals), and almost no cleaning (just dishes). I'm out of my house, where I'm not staring at piles of laundry to be done or dishes to wash or beds to make. I'm almost obligation-free for an entire week.

Oh wait, I haven't mentioned the stress of the week-before-vacation. As every mom probably knows, that week before taking vacation is the worst week of the year! Ok, it's not as bad as Christmas preparations and the week of no-school that comes at the same time, but it's a close second in my book. I get through that week by making lists. Yes, I'm a list person. It helps me feel organized and prevents forgotten items. My husband doesn't like to make lists of what he might need so he tells me, "Don't let me forget to pack my ...!" As if I'm not already trying not to forget everything else. I make lists of to-do and to-pack. I have to make sure that enough laundry is done to pack for a week,then pack for Charley and I, have to get the dishes are done so they don't mold in the sink, make sure the fishing equipment is packed, get the dog's bed and bowls and food ready-to-go, remember to take the garbage out so the house doesn't stink, and somewhere in the back of my mind is that little voice that's telling me "I'm supposed to remind Jeff to pack something..."

What it is, I can't seem to remember at this moment! I should have put it on the list!

Oh, then there is the preparation for a 4 hour drive with an almost-2 year old! She doesn't like to sit in the car seat for even an hour so how am I going to keep her entertained? I make a list of toys and games and activities to lessen the amount of whining.

Well, up until this point, everything usually goes ok and I can finally relax and enjoy my vacation. Wait, I totally forgot, as I do every year, that after about 3 days I will be pulling my hair out because I can't deal with my mom for long periods of time. Don't get me wrong, I love my mom and am really grateful for the support system that I have in my family. But when it comes to letting her take care of Charley, she gets the "Grandma Syndrome". You know the symptoms, giving her candy when Mom says "No", letting her scream as she runs around the house, allowing naps to be wherever and whenever, sneaking her juice, and don't forget the late bedtimes. Basically, destroying all the hardwork that I've done for the last month trying to get her disiplined and on a schedule.

Vacation? What vacation? I'm usually ready to go home!