Weekend Getaway

Friday night, Finn and I packed up and headed out to the mountains for the weekend.  I seriously had more things packed for two days away than I took with me for a two week trip to Africa a few years ago. I used to be so proud of what a light packer I could be when I needed to...oh, how times have changed!

It was dark by the time I got to the cabin that my sister had rented and the house was full with J and her boys, our parents and our favorite aunt and uncle.  Finn had slept the whole drive there, so he was happy to be loved on by the relatives, and even seemed to enjoy the noise from the two older boys.  It was all pretty overwhelming though, and when our parents and aunt and uncle left to go back to their rental, we were all ready for bed.

The rest of the weekend, spent with a 4 year old and an 18 month old, made me realize that even though I thought I was prepared to raise a boy, it's going to be more challenging and more fun than I ever imagined!  Finn and his cousins woke up about the same time both mornings, and I could hear J giggling in her bedroom with her boys as I cuddled with mine.  And then D (the 4 year old) was especially challenging the rest of the morning and had my sister so frazzled by the time we got to breakfast that D actually asked her, "Mommy, do you ever wish you didn't have children?"  The extremes of parenthood, all in a few short hours.

Me with Finn and Ollie

J and the boys

Yesterday was a beautiful day in the mountains, and J, D, Finn and Dad decided to go up to Chimney Rock while Mom stayed at our cabin with Ollie, the 18 month old.  We drove up to the entrance and the cheery girl at the booth said, "The elevator is currently down for servicing, so the only way to access the Rock is by walking.  Is that ok?"  Of course we said yes...then wondered if we were going to be able to make it.

D impressed us all by all but sprinting up the 400 steps that lead up to Chimney Rock.  And I surprised myself by being able to make it, too, even with 20 pounds of baby strapped on to me.  I was pretty winded, but at each break it didn't take me too long to catch my breath, which makes me hope that once I really start back to running it won't take me long to get back to being able to do 3-5 miles.

D and J on Chimney Rock

It was such a beautiful weekend, and so much fun to see the cousins interacting - Finn is fascinated by everything the two older boys do, and the boys enjoyed making Finn laugh.  I'm so glad my sister lives so close that we get to see each other often, but I think we're going to have to make a habit out of little weekend trips, too.

The Cousins