A Vacation

How do you tell your four children that you are going to Disneyland?....

Without them.  :)

Nate and I both need a vacation.  We've been married for over ten years, and since we've had kids, we have never been away from them overnight together.  We wanted to go on a nice vacation together (Puerto Rico was the plan) to celebrate our ten years of marriage, but it just didn't happen for several reasons.

Instead, we have decided to go to Disneyland.  By ourselves.  The kids took it pretty well, but mostly because we promised to bring them something back.  Damon gave me his signature grumpy face, put his hand on his hip and said, "Hey! That's not fair!!" But then he smiled when I told him we would bring him something.  I'm glad my children can be bought off. 

We are leaving mid-week and I am already discovering this long list of things about a trip to Disneyland without children that will be so awesome.  Don't get me wrong, I love my kids and I love taking them to Disneyland.  In fact, Nate and I were worried that we would have a hard time even having fun without them.  Disneyland is a magical place with children.  But as parents, there are a lot of things we sacrifice to have kids.  And I wouldn't even consider for one second trading my children for a more convenient life, but to be able to remember life before kids for a few days will be fun.

I get a bit giddy when I think about a seven hour car trip with no kids in the car, and packing for only two people instead of six.  Then once we get to Disneyland: we will have no strollers, no children needing mid day naps, no backpack full of snacks and hundreds of water bottles, we can walk at adult speed (if I can remember what that is), no waiting in line for characters or princesses, no being late to the park because we will only have to get ourselves ready in the morning, we can go on the rides together, we can stay in the park until it closes at midnight and not worry about bedtimes, we can watch shows without worrying about keeping someone quiet, we don't have to worry about losing children (did that several times last time we went), we can sit in the hot tub at the hotel because we can actually leave our room together--at the same time, we can afford the convenience of eating meals at restaurants in the park, we meet the height requirement for all the rides and none of them are too scary.... the list goes on, and other things will randomly pop into my mind that could be added.

We are excited.  And our kids are excited to get to spend some time with Grandma and Grandpa Burgess.  We only have to wait two more days.

BUT... Nate says he won't take me unless I actually blog about our last trip to Disneyland first.  This is going to take a while... here it is below!