lakehouse trip - not a vacation.

This past week/weekend we went to the lake and spent time at my family's Lakehouse. We had a good time. But I have to admit, that I am not "Lakehouse Friendly." I try to enjoy myself and relax, but it's not easy for me. Honestly, it's more work than fun for me. The main reasons being that I'm out of my comfort zone both in terms of my "schedule/routine" and my "comfort place" (being my home) and more importantly the existence of my young children - mainly Harper.

I can overcome the comfort zone aspects, but I can't overcome the kid part. Yes, I am a creature of habit and I prefer to stick to my routine - but, I can overcome that (even though my family members probably don't believe me when I say it). 

The kids are another story. They are work. Well, Hayden is pretty easy now. But as soon as Hayden became easy, in came Harper. Harper is not easy. She is a toddler. She is a needy, dependent being. That is just where she is in life. She is also very challenging right now. So when she is present (which she pretty much always is) then I am in mom-role and it's work. I can "let go" a little bit while others are watching her, but then I tend to feel guilty for not "working" - like I am a lazy, slacker mom and I shouldn't get a break (I know that I shouldn't feel that way and I am working on not feeling that way).

Anywho - suffice it to say that until Harper is 3 or 4-years-old, going to the Lake/Lakehouse is not going to be a relaxing vacation for me. Eventually it will be. I am convinced of that, but right now it's not. For me, travelling anywhere with young children is not a vacation. There are nice aspects of it and I do enjoy spending time with my family and making memories, but as a whole it is not relaxing.

Oh and add to the fact, that Harper HATED riding in the boat and could have died in a "stair incident" - I am serious when I note that this past lake vacation was not really a "vacation." But that's okay. I can accept that and enjoy the trip for what it is - a trip to the lake with my family.

And here are the pictures to prove it:

playing with the kiddos in the hot tub

me with my boy

still playing

the "scene"

randy with snuggled harper

me with snuggled harper

randy with snuggled hayden

randy lifting the heavy "sack of potatoes" - he really is heavy (he weighs 50 pounds now)

at dinner - harper doesn't do a great job of sitting in her high chair

the boys

on our mule adventure- i am not sure what hayden's expression is about

it was my parents' anniversary - my dad got her a lovely new ring. she is showing it off. they were being pretty silly.

harper playing peek-a-boo

hayden wanted to have his picture taken - a lot. 

hayden took this picture of himself with my phone

my dad invited lots of people over for dinner. it was a party.