Home again, home again, jiggity jig

We’re back from two fun-filled weeks in the Beehive State.  And when I say fun-filled, I mean overflowing with fun every single day; up-til-1:30-every-night fun; so much fun that being home again is a complete let-down (am I the only one who thinks of breastmilk every time they hear that term?)


I can’t help but be impressed with myself by flying alone with six kids.  It wasn’t a big deal.  I got more stressed about travelling when I just had two kids (how crazy is that?  Travelling with two kids now sounds like a vacation in and of itself.  No offense to all you two-kid moms.  It’s like weight lifting;  if you’re new to exercise a single push-up is a big deal.  But if you work out three hours a day, a push-up is just a drop in the bucket. So it is with parenting.  I’m sure Michelle Duggar would scoff at my life with a paltry six children.)

You wouldn’t believe how many times I had this conversation:

Ballsy Stranger: Are all those kids yours?
Me:  Nope.  I love travelling with kids so much I brought a few extras.

Ballsy Stranger: [at this point I had no idea what his reply was. I was too busy getting through security with seven people, plus their shoes, plus their backpacks–what do you mean you forgot to take your pocket knife out after Scout Camp?!!!–plus my laptop, plus a double stroller, plus a car seat, plus a tidily arranged assortment of 3 oz. liquids.  I wasn’t terribly interested in his inane banter.]

So now I’m in the land of overflowing laundry (I think I’m going to whittle all our clothes down to five outfits apiece and just wash them until they fall apart), and planning meals and hardcore cleaning.  “Sucks” does not even come close to capturing my emotions today. I think I’m going to have to re-enroll in Flylady just to keep myself from committing suicide.

Plus I have no Mtn. Dew to grease my wheels (let’s just say it’s been flowing liberally through my veins lately–see the 1:30 a.m. comment.)  All I have here is Diet Dew (That shabby imposter. Although I’ve tried to like it, there simply has not been a Love Connection.)  

As much as I love being at home (hence the beehives and bird nests and all that), I adore vacations.  You know how at the end of a vacation you’re a little excited to be going home?  I’ve never felt that.  I practically cry all the way back.  (Seriously, is there anything sadder than waiting in the hotel lobby for your transportation back to the airport while watching someone just arriving?)  Even though this trip did not involve any hotels (nice or otherwise), I was still sad to go.  We had a wonderful time with all our relatives and friends, and crammed in a ton of fun things.  

Back to the grindstone.

P.S. Mister did not quite finish the wood floor in the family room.  He did get some of it done, and I must admit, I’m impressed.  He’s not the handiest fellow, but it looks very nice.  He also cleaned out the garage and did a few other odd jobs around the house that are normally all up to me (like changing light bulbs.  I don’t think he’s ever changed a light bulb. No, I take that back.  A few months ago he replaced the light bulb above the kitchen table–normally 60 watts–with a 150 watt photography strobe light.  After we all went blind eating breakfast, I demanded he change it.)

| Filed under Family, I'm Not So Great

10 thoughts on “Home again, home again, jiggity jig

  1. I love you Jennie. I swear you should be a stand-up comedian.

    I'm really, truly sad that we didn't get to talk more.

    Now, please girl, get back to baking cakes, winning blue ribbons and all that sort of stuff.

    xoxo, m

  2. Nice one at the airport! I'll have to remember that…
    If it makes you feel any better, my house, laundry, etc. are in total shambles, and I've been NOWHERE for 2 weeks.

    First and foremost, you must get yourself some proper Dew.

    Good luck!

  3. I love when my husband says "Let's jump in the car and go to the cottage!" Great idea, honey. You pack up the family, arrange the paper and mail. Get the plants watered, fridge cleaned out, deal with trash pick up and call all the lessons to reschedule. When we get there, you can do all the cooking and clean up there. Then after we get back do all the laundry, fold it and put it away. Then tell me how enjoyable the vacation was! The laundry alone is a killer! You might need something stronger than Mt Dew to get you through! Welcome back!

  4. YOU may be depressed at going home, but at least you didn't have to say goodbye to your 11 favorite tiny persons for another 3 months! I almost cried after closing the door on your departing van.

    Actually, some of those guys aren't tiny persons any more. York arm-wrestled me and beat me in one quarter second! (But it was my bad arm!) Even Finn and Bella are up to my shoulder now. Boo-Hoo! Where are my BABIES?

  5. Glad you had a good trip – too bad about the floor!
    I just signed up for Fly Lady – between this and the site for food storage, your blog is making an incredible difference in my life – positive of course!

  6. I agree, going home from a vacation blows. Also, having your sister and brother leave and your daughter's playmates leave blows.

    But I think maybe traveling with 2 or 3 kids is harder than 6 because they're ALL little and you have no one to help you. When you have six, you have a built in 13 and 12 year old, as well as a 10 and 8 year old to help you with your two toddlers. I swear, traveling with only little ones, even just two of them, has GOT to be harder!

  7. Hahahahaaaa – oh I've missed you Jennie!

    Hope the return to non-holiday reality is a softish landing for you – oh, and there's at least TWO of us that think of breastfeeding with letdowns!

  8. i think michelle duggar would totally die at traveling with 6 kids – all she does is have the kids and make the older ones take care of the younger ones. i hate the end of vacation. coming home to an empty house, with no food, mounds of laundry, and overly tired kids. but, i will say – it's great to have you back!

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