It's so quiet around here

My kids left early this morning for a week at the beach in NC with my parents. I got about 4 hours of sleep last night, between getting them packed, trying to settle them down for bed, and worrying myself into exhaustion. Woke up at 5:50am, and both boys were not only awake and dressed, but in really great moods. Lucas (6 in Oct) is a real morning person, he's the one who could get up at any hour and still be smiling. Dillon (10 a month from tomorrow!) is just like me, noon is morning enough for him. He's a night owl, and it takes a LOT to get him up and ready. Apparently the beach is a great motivator though, as they were literally buckled into the van at least 30 minutes before the adults were even out the door. They pulled out of the driveway at 6:55 (or "Oh-dark-thirty", according to Dillon & my Dad), and I got a call from Lucas (this kid is incredible on the phone) at 5pm saying they were there and it was AWESOME. While Dillon's done some traveling with my parents in the past, this is Lucas's first long trip away without me, and his first beach vacation ever. Dillon, my parents and I have all been to this beach before, and it's just lovely, so I certainly understand the excitement. Lucas was carrying the phone around the condo, holding it up on the balcony (2nd floor, almost oceanfront, right next to the pool & tennis courts) and telling me to "listen to the ocean, Mommy!".

He was all sad when I tucked him in last night, clinging to me and saying how much he'd miss me. He said it again a few times in the car before they left this morning, but wasn't nearly as sad about it. And then one of the first things out of his mouth when he called this evening was "Hey Mommy, guess what? I don't miss you anymore - it's way too neat here!!" :)

(Excitedly showing off the little activity sets I got each of them)

They'll be home next Sunday afternoon, have Monday to relax and for L to go to Kindergarten meet-the-teachers day, then they start school, Kindy and 5th grade, on Tuesday morning.

(My Dad emailed this to me a bit ago, Lucas's first "taste" of the Atlantic Ocean.
That's Dillon behind him, in the green shirt.)

And Mama's got a whole week with the house to herself, and basically nothing pressing to do! I took a nap after they left, did some dishes and put in some laundry, played on Ravelry, folded laundry, went for a bike ride, and now it's 9pm. Busy day with nothing to do!