There was a time that my list of hobbies included, “travel.” Back when I was a teacher and two months off meant hair-brained schemes like renting a car and driving through the English Cotswalds with no hotel reservations and only the plan to “see everything.”

And then we had Catie.
But we still traveled. Staying in Texas through the months that don’t have an “r” in them is just ridiculously hot. She stayed with grandparents while M. and I took (admittedly shorter, closer, and more structured) vacations.
Even after the twins we managed some trips. Definitely shorter and more family-focused than the zip-lining we once did in the rainforest, but we still managed to get away from the air you can wear and gain some perspective on our lives by seeing how the rest of the world lives.
Until this summer.
Thirty-two weeks pregnant and my doctor has repeatedly refused my request for a vacation. She has a good point–if I went into labor at a home away from home (since we’re imagining here, let’s just pretend that home is a beach house in Hawaii) then the nearest hospital would stop labor. And there’s a good chance I would be stuck in that hospital bed for a few weeks. Not worth the risk.
Probably true.
And, really, who am I kidding that I have the energy to pack up 4,000 pounds of pink tutu bathing suits, “airplane” toys, and hair ribbons to go someplace that is NOT HERE?
I decided to settle for a staycation. But what is that, really? Or, more importantly, how is it different than our usual lives?
The two things we need most are a break from the heat (I said I wouldn’t complain, but I have a four-pound heater next to my organs this year) and a change of perspective. You know, get away from Houston and see that, “Wow. Most of the world doesn’t have large star tattoos on their backs pledging their Astros loyalty,” and “Oh my. No other Mexican food is as good as Houston’s. Including the stuff in Mexico.” and “Look! It’s a theme park filled with age-appropriate activities for our kids! This is even better than dressing up like ballerinas and making smoothies!”
Which is what we did this weekend. And should explain the above picture.
I guess I could’ve just posted the picture because, if it’s worth a thousand words–or even just four–it would say…
“…we need a vacation.”
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