Sigh..
The ultimate in bikinis, non?
We are slowly getting back to the rhythm that is normal life with the holiday now a retreating paradise rapidly disappearing into the horizon…but it was a brilliant break.
Holidays are tough with kids: No matter how exotic the place, the beauty is sometimes the only positive of being away..which actually isn’t enough. Expectations are so high, the relaxation so needed..but the chores still remain the same: Planning, shopping, cleaning, cooking, sick wiping, world war 3 crisis talks, bottom wiping, parenting..but with none of the normal safety nets like toys, dvds, sound proof rooms, play dates, drugs...added to which you don’t know where anything is, it’s stinking hot and no-one is sleeping at night…
Spotted at Faro Airport. An unfortunate name…
Generally I embrace the grot that makes the foundation of home life, but sometimes, just sometimes….I want someone else to take over so I can step off the continual conveyor belt of care and re-charge my own batteries..
In Portugal we had meals provided, a kiddies club from 9-12.30 in the morning for both children, then again at 2.30-5.30 for Bella if she wanted it. Kids tea at 5.30 or they could eat with us later. More games (rounders etc) with her friends for Bella at 7.30 pm if she wanted (she did!) followed by a film and bed till we picked her up at 11.00. And a film club and a bed for Charlie from 7.30 – 11 pm. It was utter and absolute bliss..I read books!!..with never a worry a child could be drowning, I swam for myself..I went to the toilet – BY MYSELF..The Husband played tennis, mountain biked..we had romantic meals together..we drank, we ate, we talked..we became human beings again..
Which lasted..until we got through our front door and found the washing machine was broken..Oh life. With one hand it gives..and with the other it taketh away..
Laters, Kate xxx
Maison Bentley Style 
Reblogged this on Unique Dress.
Thank you! x
It sounds like you had a wonderful time 🙂
The joys of parenthood!! I can relate!!
I did tell them..this is MY holiday..you have another 7 weeks!! xxx
I am sorry to hear about the broken wahsing machine. It happened on me once. Coming back with a bag full of laundry and not being able to deal with it immediately is horrible. I hope it didn’t cause too much disruption.
Glad to know that you had a quality time with your family. (^-^)
No chance to hit the ground running..def more of a stagger in fact..I couldn’t work out how I managed to do everything! xxx
On a positive note… hey! it’s still August.. that silly, lazy time of the year before everyone goes back to ‘school’ and our frenetic routines? Let’s hope we can still enjoy a couple of decadent evenings before the craziness begins! xxx
I have been experimenting on the kids this year(!)…each day is different, but the format doesn’t change..so today is ‘playground’ – but we try to find a different one each week..then on Tuesdays I drag them off to whatever I want to see..is either going to be the exhibition at Kensington Palace tomorrow..or the art installation at the Round house..weds is play date, thurs is their day out, Friday is creative..I’ll let you know if it works and keeps us all vaguely sane.. xxx
The child in me finds the plan really exciting! Can I join? 😉
YES! Poor Charlie got dragged off to the fashion Museum last week. He asked me – are there animals? I said, well, there might be (thinking possibly on material?..) but you’ll have to look for them. Will they poo mummy?! NO!! xxx
*Lol* Smart chic fellow! xxx
My break is still ahead me:)
BTW I love the bikini;)
How nice! And you get to do all your holiday shopping in the sales!!..just hope there isn’t a baggage allowance hey..! Aren’t those bikinis just sugar? I love the cut of the bums, the bows, the floral trims, the extra material on the ties..everything! xxx
Love the adorable bikinis and your thoughts about life (the end of your post kills me …). Happy to know that you had some quality time in Portugal though ! XXXX
By the time we had the new machine delivered the contents were steaming…ho hummmm! xxx
Sounds like my kind of holiday! Never been to Portugal, where did you go?
Praia de Luz..pretty town, sandy beach, perfect temp – hot in day, cool in evenings so you can sleep, 2 hours 20 mins from Gatwick and no time difference…ticked all the boxes for me! xxx
Reblogged this on The Pretty Canary.
Ha! am glad you had get-away and don’t worry bout’ the kids, just have fun and smile always am sure the kids will relate to you.
As I said to them..this is my holiday! Which was funny because they had all these activities on offer..Kate – a walk? aqua aerobics? legs bums and tums?? – You must be joking…a g &t? a glass of wine? ice cream? yes yes yes! xxx
Ha! I so want to be part of the family now…. seems like the kids are having fun on their own.
Lets just say..we have our moments..and you can interpret that both ways! xxx
That’s my girl! My kids got taken to many random exhibitions over the years but I knew I hadn’t been selfish the day my son identified a Mondrian painting in the background of a tv show he was watching….he was about 7 at the time. Fulfilled mum = happy kids. Welcome back x
Gives me hope!! Sadly I fear Charlie will be pointing to pictures of Princess Diana! But I think it’s all too easy to fall into the ‘every child-centric trap’..I admit, I can’t do it day in day out.. xxx
…Princess Di eh? You are gonna love what I am working on at the moment!….watch this space…..
I am highly intrigued……… xxx
Bravo! Every mom needs “adult” time to save her sanity!
After today…I need alcohol as well… xxxxx
What a perfectly apt description of vacationing with children! It can be so hard! It’s a fine line between is this really worth it for the amount of extra work it is!? I need to find a place like you did and experience a real vacay ASAP!
When the rosy tinted glasses crashed to the floor we made the decision we would be happier staying at home and employing a cook and a nanny for two weeks if we had to…we then started looking into anywhere and everywhere that had kids clubs..and it did seriously transform our lives! xxx
hahaha. love the washing machine bit. and so it goes. xo
You masochist you.. xxxxx