Suddenly Six!: Five Days of just US

When we realized that 4th-6th graders go to camp the same week, John and I looked at each other without saying a word. What are the odds that we could get all four of our kids to summer camp the same exact week?

What would that mean for us?😳

A house to ourselves, for 5 whole days?!

We have not even had a night alone in our home since Evelyn was born 11 years ago, so the idea that this could actually become reality was surreal.

Evelyn was already excited abut it; she had been away for a few nights before and she always loved the experience.

The boys, not so much.

At first they adamantly rejected the idea.

John and I shrugged. "Ok," we replied, trying not to act too eager.

But we had a plan.

A week later on a rainy Saturday afternoon, we drove up to the camp, which was about an hour away in the mountains. "We will just tour it," we explained, "for Evelyn's sake, since she's going."

The camp sold itself.

By the end, all three boys were begging to go and counting down the days until their departure. John and I gave a secret high five... yet we still didn't want to discuss it too much for fear of jinxing something.

When the day before their departure arrived, I packed three suitcases, showing each of boys the boys their zip lock bag with their name which contained soap, shampoo and a toothbrush. I also explained that they had to figure out some way to separate their dirty worn clothes from the clean ones. And wear sunblock. Evelyn takes care of her own packing, although she seemed more apprehensive than the boys.

She had just gotten her new invisiliners for her teeth, and they were causing her pain and stress. Bad timing.

When Monday morning came, we loaded up the bags and drove to the camp, depositing our children quickly and efficiently. And as we drove away in our quiet car, the realness of the situation set in.

Excited for camp!

A whole week of staycation.

Good bye children. See you in 5 days!

I felt the thrill of going where I wanted to go, when I wanted to go, without having to rush home or pick someone up. I didn't realize just how very tired I was until this week. A break from constant messes mediating arguments really put my whole spirit at ease.

"Look, the vacuum lines in the carpet are still there," commented John in amazement after a few days of living in the house.

Eating was easy.

Going to bed was easy.

Waking up was easy.

Everything was easy!

John and I had such a fun week. We did a little of everything: some deep cleaning, organizing, purging; we saw a movie at a movie theatre (first time in 10 years); we went downtown to sushi.

We swam at night at our gym's pool and sat in the hot tub.

We went to a happy hour at 4:00 at a fancy wine bar.

Took a wine crash nap at 5:00 and watched TV in the early evening.

We took late night walks, went on a long run, and hung curtains.

And we sat and talked to each other without getting interrupted.

It was all so magical; but what made it magical was that it was a break.

I certainly would not want this life forever, and five days was the perfect amount of time. It rejuvenated me and it gave me assurance that someday when our kids do leave, John and I are going to be ok.

We will be more than ok.