We’re 1.5 weeks into summer break and I still feel like I’m being pulled along by a strong current of obligation and battered against formidable time constraints, even though I ostensibly have more time than ever.
The last week of school was so overwhelming, with the 16yo’s birthday, end of year obligations and the two concerts. Then the 16yo went to overnight camp on Sunday, and driving her there took basically the whole day. That week she was gone, the 12yo had a really intense baseball camp and I spent much of that time climbing out of the hole I had created for myself at home during the last two weeks of school (my house was a disaster area), and getting the 16yo and myself ready for our dive trip in Monterey.
On Friday, the husband drove to pick up the 16yo while I finalized prep for our scuba certification dives. We didn’t leave for Monterey until 8pm and didn’t get there until 10pm. We had to be at the dive site at 7am, so it was an intense start to the weekend.
We really lucked out on our certification dives in Monterey. The weather was decent both days and the visibility was excellent – 30+ feet of visibility at the time of year, when the water is “warmer” (57ish*) is pretty rare. Our group was good and our teacher was great. We had four good dives (two each day), and I was able to bring my GoPro on the last dive.
We are now PADI Certified Open Water Divers! I’m going to reserve spots on some really cool dives in Maui, dives we couldn’t do without our open water certifications.
I really thought this week would feel less stressful than last week, but that hasn’t been the case. Rinsing out all the scuba equipment and laying it out day after day until it dried was time consuming (it’s been really foggy here so there has been no sun to aid in the drying process). Unpacking the 16yo from camp and both of us from our weekend away has been a lot. And of course I’m already packing us back up for St. Louis, which is next week.
The husband has been rather sulky lately. He gets like this every summer, as we all have time off and he has to trudge into work every day. I always end up doing all or most of his chores to try to give him a little break too, and to ease some of his bad mood, and while he does thank me, it doesn’t seem to make him feel much better.
All this to say, I am ready to be in St. Louis, where hopefully it will finally start to feel like an actual break.
We leave on Sunday, which means I’m already packing up the kids. The next couple days will be busy and Saturday is absolutely packed. But by Sunday afternoon, hopefully, we’ll be in the air. I’m really looking forward to getting there.
How cool it is to be able to dive!! I am such a chicken I could never do scuba diving. I think I have a phobia about having a layer of water above my head. Not sure where it comes from- probably being too coddled when I was a kid.
Have a great trip to St Louis!!
Hurrah for you! SO MUCH DONE!
And I am so happy you are going soon to St. Louis. Your trip is one of my ‘looked forward to’ summer events! Which sounds quite funny but I am always so happy you get such a wonderful family break and you always have fun!!! So I enjoy it vicariously.
Hip hurrah for you on plane and unable to do anything but be a passenger. You really need that time after all the constant drill and work.
Celebrate yourself and have a grand and wonderful time!!!!!!!!
I hope you have an amazing time in St. Louis! I love Monterey so much, but don’t think I will ever go scuba diving. Now I’m wondering if I want to wear a wetsuit even to snorkel, after my cousin was badly stung by a Portuguese Man O’ War last year. Terrifying. A wetsuit is definitely is the best way to go.
The trips sound and look like fun! One thing that stood out to me was your stress around packing and unpacking. Maybe the kids can handle packing and unpacking themselves? We turned that task over to our kids around age 10 (with a general list: 2 pants, 2 shorts, 5 shirts, etc) and it made a world of difference in how stressful it was to get ready. But ymmv.
Oof. Sounds like you need a break! I guess this is the week you’re in St. Louis? I hope it’s all going well and you’re able to relax a little.
Wow, scuba diving. That is so cool, and the photos are awesome. Scuba diving in Maui should be amazing.
I’m your husband now- everyone in my family is off except me. But, I was able to switch my work schedule around so I have an extra day off. Also I fully expect OTHERS to do the chores while I’m at work!