Mama Confidence

A few weeks ago, I made a spur-of-the-moment decision to drive over to Chelan with the girls. When making a decision to do an overnight, long(ish) drive over the mountains as a solo parent, it needs to be of the spontaneous variety. I didn't want to give myself time to come to my senses.

Jeff had headed over to Alta with some buddies on Thursday, and I chose Friday as our departure day. I wouldn't tell him we were coming, and we'd surprise him Saturday morning. No, it was not an official Guys' Weekend (should I be insulted that TWO people asked me if it was? What do you take me for?!)

 The drive over was great. I absolutely love this drive - especially if I hit the other side of the mountains to make the rest of the drive as the sun is going down.

The girl at the front desk asked me if I knew "Tom." Nope. She couldn't believe I had gotten such a discounted rate on a weekend. Score. (He must have taken pity on me when I answered that it would just be me and my two young kids...)

After we had checked in, we had to drive down a few parking spots, so I let the girls sit on the floor of the van. They couldn't believe it, and definitely thought they were getting away with something:

 I had already made the decision that I wasn't going to care how bedtime went. When I care is when I get frustrated, and that wasn't happening this trip. So, I popped in a movie and waited for the girls to unwind for a later-than-normal bedtime. We all slept very soundly -- Austen and I in one bed, and K feeling so big in the other bed by herself.

We took advantage of the free breakfast both mornings. Free Tulley's coffee and a waffle maker - how could we not.

In the morning we ate breakfast, went back to the room to change, and drove the five minutes into town for a run. That morning run brought back my ache to move over there full force.

 Kaitlyn wrote a story about the three of us while I was getting ready:

After showers, we hopped in the car to make the 35 minute drive to Alta. We got there with perfect timing, right as Jeff and Wyatt were driving into the parking lot after their first round. Jeff was definitely surprised and excited to see us.

We rode with the golfers for 9 holes. Austen wanted to ride with Brian the whole time in the "party cart." ("Is that the cart with music?")

We said goodbye, and headed back to Chelan for the rest of our Girls' Adventure. The pool was a must before dinner:

 

 

 We took showers after swimming and headed to the drive-in for dinner. Corn dogs, veggie burger, and french fries...yes, please.

 Oops...this limo bus driver thought he had more clearance, apparently. After letting some air out of the tires and getting everyone's weight back into the bus, he was able to drive out from under the overhang.

We took a walk down to the water -- after stopping for ice cream, of course. The girls hardly ever get ice cream cones (I guess it's just not something we think of doing all that often?) so they thought this was an extra special treat.

 The evening was so...dare I say - perfect. Just me and the girls. It still makes my heart burst thinking about it. We had so much fun.

The second night of sleep was also great (Austen woke up from a bad dream for about 30 seconds but went straight back to sleep - and so did I, thank goodness). We went to bed later than normal again, but we went to bed sane and happy; talking about our fun day. I'll take it.

 We (I) packed up the next morning and grabbed breakfast again before playing at the park for a bit. (That clear toy bin got left behind somehow, and they mailed it back to me.)

 On the way home, we stopped at a kid-friendly farm type place (I don't even know what to call it) in Leavenworth. We've seen it on our drives, but haven't stopped. I'm so glad we did! Swings, chickens, games, store, and an insane cow train ride.

K is really getting the pumping thing down:

 

It was such an awesome weekend. I felt like I reconnected with my girls. I am at home with them (for the most part), but it's so easy to get into ruts, and it turns out that we needed this girl time.

I am spoiled by Jeff's work hours (and just by him in general), and I know it. He's home by about 4:30 every evening to help with dinners, evening play, and bedtime (help, or do). I know that this is something I can't take for granted, but I also know that it makes me lazy sometimes. I needed to know that I could do this on my own. And I did. 

There were ups and downs, just like there always are (picture me literally dragging both girls across the street as they've both decided to go limp as cars were waiting for us. A woman on the other side looks at me and says, "Sister, we've all been there. You're doing a great job," as I am starting to sweat and have steam coming out of my ears. I thereby decide that I'm going to make more comments like that to other moms),

but when I look back at that weekend I'll likely just remember my full heart...and ice cream.