a note to myself

"dear Mrs. I-have-to-pack-everything-control-freak me,

the next time your husband suggests you all go on a weekend to Deauville and stay at the I-can't-believe-Nicole Kidman-was-here Normandy Hotel, do not stress out. do not panic because you only have 12 hours to pack. do not make a list. just kiss the guy and know that you're a lucky woman."

"the next time your mother says she can't look after your dog and her poop while you're having fun on the beach, do not get mad at her for being the most selfish person in the world. just remember how you cleaned your dog's nose for 20 minutes after she'd plugged it into the sand. and that dogs just want to have fun, too."

"remember that Deauville is a dog-friendly place."

"the next time you witness the miracle of a beautiful sunset, let your fears and doubts vanish with daylight."

"the next time your boys get ecstatic and run barefoot on the sand screaming with delight and greeting the ocean, do not worry about how the cold wind is going to affect their asthma. go and run with them. and thank God for having a moment like this."

"the next time you have dinner at the hotel restaurant and your sons jump on the chairs and play with silverware and have to go pee every 5 minutes, do not look around anxiously at other guests feeling like the next potential candidate for Super Nanny."

"the next time do not get mad at your husband for staying at the hotel casino for 3 hours and losing 50$ while you were being held hostage with the kids in your room. the next time you go on vacation do not expect too much from your family. and don't feel depressed on the way back to your dull routine. instead, be grateful. because there will be a next time."

Comments

[Vanessa_AR]

I love the one of the boys eating breakfast. They are adorable! I love how in Europe you can take your dog to the beach. No WAY is that allowed in the U.S. Great photos, Irene!

[blackbird]

hmmm, easy to say NOW. It is so hard to just "be in the moment" when there is packing, arranging and traveling to be done. I always need a day or two to settle in -- and I marvel at the fact that the rest of my family seems to think we arrive magically with everything we need!

looks like it was a nice mini holiday.

[Bella]

Loved the pictures. Perfect reasons for a do-over vacation.

[Joelene]

I hope that you had a good time. Since you were mia this weekend I was hoping that you were off somewhere doing something fab! Did the boys have fun?

[carol]

Wow - what a great treat! Looks like a fabulous place! your boys look right at home in the fancy dancy hotel.

[Susie Sunshine]

I LOVE room service!!!!!!!!!! Isn't it just like an overpriced little miracle on a tray every time?!

What a fun last minute trip!
Me and my bat colony are jealous as hell!

[Josie]

I enjoy reading your blog. Love the pictures and the writing. Your babies are adorable (also the doggie).

[Seriously Steph.]

Yay for you, Irene! I was wondering what had become of you this past week, but assumed you had little time to blog with your hubby being home. Ooh, lah, lah!

I actually have a friend who is about to take a
re-do vacation herself because theirs was such a disaster. Yours looks fabulous, and I'm living vicariously through your pictures! Keep 'em coming!

[Marilyn]

So I take it that means you had a good time... :) The boys are just too darn cute. And so's the pooch! But I like the sunset picture the best. Just think how relaxed you're going to be the next time your husband says, "Let's go to Deauville!" Neurotic packing lists and selfish family members be damned..you're going to be a model of relaxation!

[Angie]

Those boys of yours are just adorable. Sweet, sweet faces!

[AnP]

the boys are so adorable! and your post is, as always, great! I can almost picture all of you!

[Maggie Ann]

I love your pictures! Loved your quote about the end of the day and letting your fears and doubts vanish. I think thats how God means it to be. About your trip to the Normandy hotel, I can only wondor what it must have been like.

[Maggie Ann]

Love your pictures. And I like your quote about the end of the day and letting your fears and doubts vanish. I think thats how God means it to be. And the fabulous Normandy hotel, wow!!