Stress? On vacation?! Naaaah!

Lest you think all is rosy in vacation-land, I thought I'd do a reality check.  Here are the not-so-fun family moments that we could do without during our All-American Adventure.

• 6:30 a.m. wake-up calls from our alarm clock, a.k.a. Lucan.
• Ear-piercing shrieks from the highchair as Lucan decides to boycott food for the morning.
• No coffee OR hot tea.  (Apparently they don't service condos like they do hotel rooms?!  What's up with that??)
• (Very loud) fighting amongst 4 children over the army figurines during what is supposed to be breakfast.
• More (very loud) fighting between the youngest 2 children over the aforementioned figurines after the removal of the two who actually own the toys.
• Multiple wounds on children inflicted by a sibling (or two).  (Typically a wooden sword or toy musket is involved in these "flesh wounds.")
• Leaving Lucan's shoes back at the condo and trying (in vain) to keep him in the stroller during our two-hour tour at Jamestown.
• Loud wails when Lucan is overcome with exhaustion.  (Fortunately I did manage to get him to sleep in the stroller, and I only missed a short portion of the activities.)
• Numerous complaints during the tour that tend to taint Mom and Dad's enjoyment of the experience  (I'm hungry, I'm hot, I'm thirsty, I'm bored, etc.).
• A poop blow-out in the middle of the 24-minute movie about the history of Jamestown, resulting in Mom exiting the theater and dealing with an up-the-back-of-the-onesie mess.
• A meltdown from Kenna during the 24-minute movie about the history of Jamestown, resulting in Dad and siblings exiting the theater.
• Another meltdown from Kenna during our exploration of the museum.
• Crabby parents who are tired of dealing with meltdowns and bickering and complaints.
• Stinky socks.  (Do boys EVER grow out of this?!)

Heh.  Just keepin' it real, folks!

But there ARE wonderful, blessed moments.  Just a few...

• Seeing Lucan ask for (and receive) a piggyback ride from big sister Charis.
• Hearing Kenna say, "May I please play with your gun, Tobin?" AND hearing Tobin say, "Sure!"
• Drinking a pumpkin spice latte that my hubby brought me early in the morning since we had no coffee in the room. :-)
• Feeling a cool breeze while enjoying a picnic lunch in the shade.
• Eating ice cream together and talking about our favorite parts of the day.
• Piling on the bed together and watching a fun movie while giggling and eating popcorn in a heap.
• Hanging out at the pool, getting cooled off and unwinding after a whirlwind day.

And now that Lucan is screaming beside me and tugging on my leg, I will end this post. :-)  Overall, our vacation has been good, despite the frustrations!