The trip went well. I’ll start from Friday
Friday: We left at 2 and checked in at 3.30. It was a really nice hotel with a beautiful waterfall and koi fishes. As we checking in, the kids screamed that its my mom’s 32th birthday. The guy gives us a free On-Demand movie. We went up, lazed around and then changed to go swimming. Came back up, gave everyone baths, dressed and then got directions to go eat at some place close. We went to BJs and the place was crowded. a 1.5 hour wait for a table. I said screw that and we did take out. Went back to the hotel and realized that almost anything is free from the bar from 5.30 to 7.30. I got margarita and Tequila Sunrise. We finished the food, the kids had pineapple juice. We then went back to the room and watched UP. Slept by 9.45.
Sat: Everyone was up by 6.45. Right after breakfast, we left for Muir Woods at 9a/m.It was along windy road to get there. Once there, we parked and walked to the visitor entrance. This is where things got screwed up. The kids hated it. Samar refused to walk and kept screaming he wanted to leave and GO BACK TO HIS REAL HOUSE. Neil kept screaming that it was too cold and dark. The girls I warned them not to make a sound. People were giving us strange looks. I told the kids, I am not leaving until we see at least one tree.
- The entrance
I had visions of beautiful pictures of the kids but they refused to take any. It was too hard to handle the camera and 2 whiny boys. I only took a few pictures. We did the smallest loop, a 0.5 mile hike to a bridge. And we finally left at 11.00.An hour!!
I will go back there and do a hike someday without the kids.I was really pissed with them. I thought they would walk the trail and be inspired by the trees. Definitely not what I imagined.
Next we headed to Muir Beach. Thank god, everyone cheered up. We spent 3 hours there. chasing waves and playing with sand. I didnt even have any sand toys
The crazy child just run around and around.
We finally left the beach at 1.30 and went looking for a place to eat. After realizing that almost everything was packed, we found an IHOP. Lunch done, we went back to the hotel. The kids were exhausted and needed some down time. Samar took a nap, I made coffee and read. The older 3 watched TV.
We lazed around till 4.30 and then decided to go see whether we could go play miniature golf. Opps they close at 5 and it was getting chilly. Scratch that plan. We went back to the hotel room, had an early dinner. I grabbed a margarita from the free bar for later, stowed in the minibar and we left to watch a 6.30p/m movie. Now I never bring my kids to the movies, because its cheaper and easier to wait for it to come out on DVD. We watched Planet 51. It was Samar’s first time and he was enthralled. Although he was kinda frightened when it got too loud, he didnt cry or whine. Movie ended, back to hotel room, PJS and bed time. 9p/m and everyone was sleeping. I had my margarita and read a book.
Sunday: Again breakfast and then packing. (OH MY GOD. I have to do aload of laundry as soon as we get back home.) We lazed around, the kids watched TV, I read my book, ate bagels and cream cheese, more coffee and finally checked out at 11a/m.
It wasnt the most exciting trip but it was very relaxing. I wasnt stressed that we were missing XYZ. This is why we dont go to amusement parks. because I know we wouldnt get our money’s worth. We are too laid back. I came back refreshed. Ready to face the week ahead.
PS:I want to write some more on what reactions we got, when people saw there was only one adult with 4 kids, but I’ll save that for later. this post is already long enough. I took this picture of me at the hotel. the only one.
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I am so glad you had a good break. Happy for you.
Been waiting for the update !!! The trip sounds fun and the free cocktails even more fun!! Glad, you came back relaxed.
yay!!!!!! free cocktails rule!
I am glad you had relaxed a little bit.
Wooohoo!!! Hats off to you!
I’m really really reluctant to go on a vacation with 1 kid – coz I end up handling him all the time. And spunky you took off on ur own with 4 kids! Am totally impressed!
and btw, Happy belated birthday!
Me: I always refuse when Nk asks me to go too because of the same reason you mentioned. But I surprised myself and actually fun on this mini trip with the monsters.
Seems like you unwound and relaxed..except for the muir woods bit:)..Your kids remind me of myself when I was small..I used to go crazy at the beach:)..I still do, Pity that the cal waters are so cold.Bought a wet suit this summer for the sole purpose of going in the water:)
This was a good idea. I think I want to spend a birthday in a hotel just to enjoy housekeeping.
first let me tell u my reaction awesome is the world… doing a trip with 4 kids
and the update sounds like fun and u look hot as usual
i love the header !
glad u had a relaxing weekend
belated bday wishes !
You have my total respect girl for pulling it off and having time to read and relax as well
You look great … the trip sounds very relaxed.
You managed to read and relax along with supervising 4 kids … thats a great achievement in my opinion.
Sounds like a relaxing trip! Only you can pull that off with four in tow.
I find myself disappointed when kids are not excited about some place as I expected them to.
Looks like it was fun except for the initial glitch at the park.
Hope you get to relax a bit as NK gets back.
good for you babe! that sounds like fun. one small whining episode is par for the course, right? looks like you had such a wonderful time otherwise. and also, HATS OFF! Only you can pull something like this off!!
Me: Yup, I cannot expect it to be perfect. Maybe thats why it went off so well, I didnt have any expectations whatsoever from this trip. I told myself, even if all we did was stayed in the room and watched TV, I dont care
I have been wanting to read this ever since I saw the pics on FB… hats off girl.. A friend of mine took her single child to Disneyland by herself and I was marvelling at her! This is simply awesome what you did.. Bravo!! And a belated happy bday once again!!