OK, OK. This is not going to be another one of my posts where I talk about vacations with small children as being torturous and a true test of human fortitude. Instead, I am actually enjoying my vacation this year.

This year, we brought along our 14-year-old niece and 11-year-old nephew to “help” out with our kids. Our expectations are very low, and we know we were taking a gamble on being responsible for four young, volatile human beings. But it was a risk worth taking to have two extra people to keep our five-year-old daughter entertained (she adores her cousins, most of the time).

For the most part, they have been getting along very well. We had a great beach day today and hubby and I thought we saw a ray of light at the end of the parenting tunnel as there was a moment in time when my daughter was building sandcastles with her cousin and my niece was pushing the baby around the water in his little float. The parents actually got to SIT and WATCH this glorious sight! It was awesome. I do not think I have been able to enjoy a simple beach outing in five years. So far, so good.

But then again, we are only on Day 4. We still have another 10 days to go! Next week, we head to a different destination where we will stay in much smaller quarters and add extended family to the mix. This will be a much stronger test of my fortitude and sanity. Wish me luck.

To be continued…