I returned home to find a goody bag from Michelle (she has a key to the house) which was a nice treat. Lucas left a funny note and a surprise for Landon and Whitney as well, so we were all pleased to come home to something.
Claudia and Alfredo were such excellent hosts to us. Randy and I slept in their pimped out guest room complete with empty drawers, an empty closet full of all kinds of hangers and ironing gear, a ceiling fan, tv and nice window. We slept great there, even though we were way closer together than normal since their guest bed is a Queen and we have a King at home. I didn't feel like I was living out of suitcase (which I hate) and even did laundry at their house twice. It was seriously great.
Also, I'm so relieved that I was able to blog from their house because it's overwhelming to me to think of even writing about the Saturday and Sunday, let alone our entire trip. Phew! I've been loading pictures into Smugmug all morning (I took over 700) and have already ordered a bunch of prints from Costco.com. I'm on my 3rd load of laundry, have vacuumed the house and showered and listened to the 16 voice mail messages we had received...ugh. Fortunately our mail was on hold while we were gone and hasn't been delivered yet, so I'm not overwhelmed by the huge task of sorting through that yet.
______Back to vacation_______________________________
We spent much of Saturday at Aliso Beach. The kids just couldn't get enough of it, so even though it was only in the high 60's outside and the water was freezing, they played from 11:30-4:30 and were delighted.
Randy was the ultimate fun dad and played with them the entire time. I hung out, took tons of pictures (of course), wrote a card and read my book, but didn't get wet because I had plans to go out with Claudia.
There's nothing like being buried in the sand for the first time ever.
Claudia delighted in being able to read her magazine while the kids played and she had multiple people (me and Randy) to help watch her kids.
Claudia and I left the beach after a few hours, dropped her boys off at home with Alfredo then went out for the night. We had originally planned to get a pedicure and visit Paper Source again, but opted to visit Paper Source then go to dinner and a movie and meet up with Claudia's friend Esther (a blog lurker, hopefully soon to be a commenter). It was nice to be out without kids for awhile and such a treat to see a movie (Dan in Real Life).
After the movie Esther, Claudia and I went next door to the Corner Bakery for hot chocolates and to chat. I think Claudia may have felt a little ganged up on since Esther and I both know her so well, it seemed like we were talking about her and she was squirming. It was good natured, but kind of amusing.
Our long drive home (why does the ride home seem so much longer?) began at 10:00am yesterday. I dozed and read the entire day in the car thanks to Randy's dedicated driving. I kept waking up and then saying, "I'm exhausted" then would fall back asleep. The kids did really well in the back seat reading, drawing and making each other laugh. We all had "church butt" midway through the drive home, but we're professionals so we worked around it.
**Do you sleep well on vacation?
Do you have a guest room at your house?
Do you ease back into reality or
dive in all the way?**
Do you have a guest room at your house?
Do you ease back into reality or
dive in all the way?**
21 comments:
I don't sleep as well on vacation usually - always good to be back home!
I wish we had a guest room, but no, only 3 bedrooms here.
I don't sleep as well on vacation...but maybe if that was the room I stayed in I would!! That is FABULOUS!! We do not have a guest room at our house, although I really want one. I love house guests, but rarely have them since we don't have an extra bed. That is so great for you guys to have your own space and feel so comfortable!
I think the hardest part of vacations is the first day back home, with piles of laundry and mail, chores and real life...always so hard to get back into the swing of things!! Although I do love that first night back in my own bed!! Glad your trip was a success!!
It depends on the vacation... We sleep really good at my parents.
We have a guest/scrap/crap room but it has a tv and satelite and I try to make it comfy. My guest bathroom is good though and I keep empty drawers there for the guests.
I think I ease back in... I never have the mail delivered the day I get back... I don't tell just everybody when I will be back and I never return calls the first day... it takes me several days to get back into the swing of things. Of course, my life allows that right now. Jimmy heads back to work within 15 minutes (literally) if it is a weekday.
WELCOME HOME~ I am so glad you had such a good trip & blogged while you were away- it made for a fun trip for lots of readers!
I rarely sleep well on vacation. I want to have a guest room & it's coming sooner than later around here with kids leaving home- which is a thousand times harder than you ever think it's gonna be.
Claudia is the best host ever I have to say!
I definately have to ease back into home life, especially if I am jet lagged. For some reason jet lag kills me.
My son is off & I am hoping we can go to lunch in the next couple of weeks!
So glad you made it back safely~ patsy
Sleeping on vacation depends on where the vacation is. If it's at my mom's house, then I get the best sleep ever! I am so so so jealous of Claudia's guest room -- I wish I had room! It's even better than a hotel room. I always feel badly when I have guests.
I think I tend to ease back into reality over a day or two, it can be a harsh contrast for sure.
I do have a guest room and it is a good thing since we have so much company.
Ahhh, reading and sleeping while someone else drives. That's bliss.
Church butt?? I think I know what you mean. I had to slouch down in the pews on Sunday and hoik my feet up on the shelf to re-establish blood flow to my 'lower cheeks' *ahem*
I was probably being scowled at by the oldies, but I don't care!
oh i have to ease in. slowly. the jolt of real life always throws me, though i am usually glad to be home and back to routine.
if i had a guest room like claudia's i would sleep great! how wonderful that a friend can open her home and you can feel like family, instead of a guest. wonderful! best type of trip!
glad you are home...it was awesome to have you blog while away!
We've moved and travled so much I've learned to dive right back into work and daily routine. Although, my laundry is my personal enemy whenever we return - I try to do as much laundry as I can at a laundry mat or at the home we're staying at - so that it's not so huge a task. We do not have a guest room, but we have a trundle day bed in our basement. So glad you had a great trip and what a wonderful time of year to take a break!
Welcome home! I have the hardest time coming back from a family trip. The reality of it all is like a slap in the face. Laundry, piles and piles of mail. Overload!! When we drive we drive straight through - 12 hours - the only way to do it. I have never heard of church butt - but I call it secretary butt - but apparently the word secretary isn't acceptable anymore - something like administrative assitant (butt). HA! Oh, I long for my guest room. We had one in Tx - I just have to kick out my eldest little and he has a queen and that seems to work. But that Claudia! WOW! What a room!
I sleep well on trips because I am just flat out tired all the time!
The photos are just the greatest. Now I don't have to bore you with questions about your trip. So glad you had a wonderful time and a safe arrival!
Unless it's in a room like that (umm rare) I do not sleep good on vacation. I love the empty drawers and hangers for guests, so nice.
I dread getting back into it but love it once I do. I usually ease back into so as to not shock my system. Good luck with it!
In addition to Claudia's aesthetically pleasing guest room, I love that she has ironing supplies for her guests as well. She is a woman after my own heart. I try to iron things before I pack, but even if I do it, my clothes are still so wrinkled. I always feel extra pressure to be cute while on vacation, so wrinkled doesn't work.
I have a guest room/office/studio in my condo, but it only has a twin bed. It seemed to work this past summer when a friend of mine lived with me for two months, especially because she had her own bathroom, but whenever my married friends come to visit, they stay in my room. This is no big deal for me, but I am sure that they are less inclined to feel really comfortable. I do love having guests though!
Great photos! I can't wait to see more.
Home again home again, jiggety jig... Glad you are adjusting back to real life well--well, as well as can be expected. :)
I don't sleep as well on vacation unless I'm just exhausted. That guest room looks perfect though! We have one, but it's certainly NOT pimped out like Claudia's. Nice digs!
I ease back in by unpacking and tackling he laundry first.
I hope to see Dan in Real Life this week--YEA!!
Welcome Home ~ It was great to lurk on your blog while you were on vacation. Great Posts!
We call the transition back home ~ RE-ENTRY! It says it ALL!
It would be lovely to have a guest room (especially like the one Claudia provides)...and guests!
Coming home after vacation is always a strange experience. I tend to see everything about our usual lives from a completely different perspective.
Sounds like you had a super great time!
JIll, your trip looked fantastic as I followed it all the way through. Claudia looks like the perfect host and adventure-buddy. GOod luck in getting back to real-life!
I'm glad you're back. That must have been so much fun for all of you! I was trying to live vicariously through your posts.
I always have so much fun on vacation, and never mind the prep that goes into it. Whether that means lots of packing, aranging people to come feed the fish etc.
BUT- even though I am always happy to be home, I really do not like the mess I have to deal with at the end. Unpacking, laundry, putting suitcases away....Not fun.
Your trip was enviable- esp sleeping in that room. Wow. Claudia knows how to have guests.
I have a hard time with the drive home too, it always seems longer and grumpier.
I ease back in over a 2 day period usually- there is just so much to catch up on.
Jill, it was a pleasure to finally meet you. I had a great time on our "girls night out."
Glad your home and back into your routine.
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