Adventure Time! Fearing thieves, axe-murderers and plague-bearing rats would swarm my place knowing I was gone, I postponed the trip updates until we got safely home.

Spoiler alert, we got safely home.

I know somebody lost a pool somewhere, but over the next 30 days, I’ll post about our adventures down south. There’s one good post for sure. Maybe a funny one or two.  At least one with me embarrassing myself so badly I almost didn’t write about it (and no, this time I was not naked!)

So, read on. And, if you haven’t followed my blog, please, please, PLA-LEASE sign up. It’ll help me sell a book one day.

The Great Adventure Begins

Who knows what will happen?

2 boys. The Prettiest-girl-in-the-world. 1 writer. 7 days in San Diego. Legoland. Seaworld. The Zoo. Maybe the Safari. Maybe a surprise place. There’s an aircraft carrier to see. I hear downtown SD is also nice. There’s food to try. Pictures to take.

So what challenges are there going to be?

First, this is my first family trip. I have no idea how easy or hard it will be with four people and two of those being agents of chaos and destruction.

However, the boys are super excited about the trip. I mean, legoland, how could they not be?

The Prettiest-girl-in-the-world is super excited because she’s on vacation. For the first time in a long time.

I’m mostly excited and look forward to blogging about our adventures. The unknown, though, (like zipping down a zipline) is both exhilarating and terrifying.

Then there’s packing. I’m used to a bag for 2 people. As of now, we’re at 100lbs of stuff. That’s a lot of stuff.

I’m pretty sure, though, that we’ve packed everything we need. Enough to equip a small army. For all weather conditions. Plus, even if we forgot something (and you know we will), it’s not like we’re going into deepest, darkest Africa or Whalley, there’ll be stores to buy stuff if needed.

Another challenge could be eating. Will eating breakfast (so we all won’t get grumpy) conflict with the need of the boys to get out and ride some rides? Will we be able to find something semi-healthy or will it be a diet of hot dogs on sticks and cotton candy and chili fries? Mmmm, chili fries!

Should we schedule breaks? For our feet and our sanity? Or should we do as much as we can do and damn the consequences? How much say should the boys have in our itinerary? What will the weather be like? Will we manage not to lose any of the kids?

So many unknowns.

Lastly, how will I fit in writing time? When I went to the desert by myself it wasn’t hard. I was by myself. In a desert. I wasn’t going on any splashie rides. I didn’t have to make sure anyone was dressed (except, most times, myself). And I didn’t have to worry about getting lost. Alone, if you get lost, it’s kinda fun. Unless you’re being chased by hells angels or something. But with a family, there could be a mutiny. Or worse, a meltdown.

So, on this trip, I’ll have to squeeze out writing time as best as I can. ½ hour here, ½ hour there. I may have to write with popsicle-sticky fingers. I may have to write when I should be talking to everyone at the dinner table. Or before going to bed. But I’ll find a way. I know I will.

Either way, I just know this trip will be something to remember.

One way or another.