An epiphany...

I think our family has well and truly reached the stage where fun outings are NOT super stressful and a ridiculous amount of work. We've done several big outings this summer and they were all really very painless and easy and, dare I say, FUN for ME!?

Dominic has about a 2 hour limit for good behavior. That's doable. That'll get us through the zoo (almost, but we have passes, so we don't need to do the WHOLE zoo everytime) and is my limit for time at the water park or lake or playground, etc. It's actually relaxing to take them places now!

We're not quite to the place where I can sit and read a book while they play...at least not around water, but I can sit and watch without having to be chasing after 3 different kids at one time. Two more years and I can be one of those moms relaxing on the grass or sand or in a chair reading a book or magazine or whatever while the kids play. I must be getting really old. I'll take it though. This is a perk I've been looking forward to for 13 years!!!