There and Back Again- Del Mar and Family Vacation
My house feels oversized and awkward since we returned yesterday from San Diego. Is this my couch? These must be the stairs I run up and down all day long doing chores and caring for Finn. Vacation was wonderful with its remarkable lack of routine. I stood by the toaster in the morning, reading my magazine and floating through unobligated space. We had more than enough structure with day trips to Legoland, SeaWorld and the County Fair. We visited my dad who lives an hour away and my aunt who lives up the road. My cousins joined us at the beach and at the fair. A college friend brought her children to spend the day at the beach with us. Despite the non-stop of our plans, I felt so liberated and unburdened by the lack of daily responsibilities.
Finn is fearless-convincing me to go on every ride possible at Legoland. His head barely reached the 42” restriction, but he stood proudly to be measured before rushing in. His glee is contagious and roller coasters are more fun than I remember. I suppose the wide open sky and penetrating sun also contributed to our sense of freedom. Anything seems possible when your constant world of clouds is suddenly vanished in the California sun.
The beach was a new experience with Finn this year. I have always loved the idea of the beach with a small child- buckets and tools to spread over sand and water, sun and beguiling surf willing to surprise and startle. The reality is far more frustrating and involves a fury of needs and demands from incessant play to selective removal of sand at a constant rate. The format has changed and at nearly five years old, I loved spending the day at the beach. We played in the ocean, giggled in the sand, ate snacks, toiled with rinse-resistant-sand and relaxed. I will say it again: I sat in a chair with my book in the sun and relaxed. As a family of three, we were able to interact and coexist wonderfully.
Our accommodations were cancelled a week before our departure due to the owner needing the space for emergency personal use. She transferred our contract to another owner in the same building who she felt had a similar space available. The space was similar in that it was in the same building, but it was much smaller than advertised and it backed up to the train track! The new property owner told me if I was a very light sleeper than the train may bother me slightly. If I were deaf, I would be bothered by the trains as they rattled the entire house. As close to a crossing as we were, the train sounded its horn to alert its presence 24 hours a day at varying intervals. Sleeping well was a challenge for all of us and the train noise was unpleasant. However, we will forever remember the endless train jokes we made, the videos of the train we took and the laughing that ensued when conversation became inaudible midsentence. I am uncertain why the condo owner aggressively advertises his 200 yard distance to the ocean when the train is a mere five yards away! Do you have a child who is obsessed with trains? Allow me to recommend this quaint Del Mar location…
This was our last opportunity to visit my aunt and uncle in CA as they are relocating permanently to Cambridge, England in August. Their children are currently 11, 16 and 19, so Eric and I took it upon ourselves to freely impress ourselves on their vulnerable minds. The age gap between us permits Eric and me a special status in their minds as both peers and respectable adults. Humorously, Finn experiences a similar gap with the kids and enjoys both looking up to them and playing as peers. The youngest was shocked when I pointed out I was nearly three times his age, which gave me hope the trust and camaraderie felt very real to us both. In other words, I’m still cool… I think.
I will miss my aunt and uncle and I wish we lived closer. Here is that relationship dynamic once again- I trust them and relate to them as peers, but respect the wisdom of their greater years. Eric and I feel there is an uncommon ease, understanding and wit shared between the four of us that is hard to find.
While yesterday I was thrilled to smell my own house and be among the familiar again, today I feel encased by it. Routine is an involuntary necessity and while I usual appreciate its calming effect, today I miss the availability of moments to steal. Obviously, it wouldn’t be vacation if we could live each day with such freedom. I don’t completely believe my last statement, but I’m working on it.
Finn is fearless-convincing me to go on every ride possible at Legoland. His head barely reached the 42” restriction, but he stood proudly to be measured before rushing in. His glee is contagious and roller coasters are more fun than I remember. I suppose the wide open sky and penetrating sun also contributed to our sense of freedom. Anything seems possible when your constant world of clouds is suddenly vanished in the California sun.
The beach was a new experience with Finn this year. I have always loved the idea of the beach with a small child- buckets and tools to spread over sand and water, sun and beguiling surf willing to surprise and startle. The reality is far more frustrating and involves a fury of needs and demands from incessant play to selective removal of sand at a constant rate. The format has changed and at nearly five years old, I loved spending the day at the beach. We played in the ocean, giggled in the sand, ate snacks, toiled with rinse-resistant-sand and relaxed. I will say it again: I sat in a chair with my book in the sun and relaxed. As a family of three, we were able to interact and coexist wonderfully.
Our accommodations were cancelled a week before our departure due to the owner needing the space for emergency personal use. She transferred our contract to another owner in the same building who she felt had a similar space available. The space was similar in that it was in the same building, but it was much smaller than advertised and it backed up to the train track! The new property owner told me if I was a very light sleeper than the train may bother me slightly. If I were deaf, I would be bothered by the trains as they rattled the entire house. As close to a crossing as we were, the train sounded its horn to alert its presence 24 hours a day at varying intervals. Sleeping well was a challenge for all of us and the train noise was unpleasant. However, we will forever remember the endless train jokes we made, the videos of the train we took and the laughing that ensued when conversation became inaudible midsentence. I am uncertain why the condo owner aggressively advertises his 200 yard distance to the ocean when the train is a mere five yards away! Do you have a child who is obsessed with trains? Allow me to recommend this quaint Del Mar location…
This was our last opportunity to visit my aunt and uncle in CA as they are relocating permanently to Cambridge, England in August. Their children are currently 11, 16 and 19, so Eric and I took it upon ourselves to freely impress ourselves on their vulnerable minds. The age gap between us permits Eric and me a special status in their minds as both peers and respectable adults. Humorously, Finn experiences a similar gap with the kids and enjoys both looking up to them and playing as peers. The youngest was shocked when I pointed out I was nearly three times his age, which gave me hope the trust and camaraderie felt very real to us both. In other words, I’m still cool… I think.
I will miss my aunt and uncle and I wish we lived closer. Here is that relationship dynamic once again- I trust them and relate to them as peers, but respect the wisdom of their greater years. Eric and I feel there is an uncommon ease, understanding and wit shared between the four of us that is hard to find.
While yesterday I was thrilled to smell my own house and be among the familiar again, today I feel encased by it. Routine is an involuntary necessity and while I usual appreciate its calming effect, today I miss the availability of moments to steal. Obviously, it wouldn’t be vacation if we could live each day with such freedom. I don’t completely believe my last statement, but I’m working on it.