Everyone has a guilty pleasure and a different way of pampering themselves. Examples of this may come in the form of a pedicure, a triple mocha latte, or maybe a girls night out to go see Billy Joel in concert. We all need a reason to urge ourselves to "live a little."
I for one however, have had one pedicure in my life, drink black only in the mornings and I have already seen Billy Joel in concert. Not that I don't enjoy any of the above, it's just that given the life I live, I just need to play a little harder is all. The play may be a little less frequent, but harder.
Traveling to England with my children was something I started back in 2013 when my oldest daughter graduated from the 8th grade. I had the chance to revisit this majestic place one year later when my second oldest graduated from the 8th grade.
It has been 3 years now and no one else has graduated from the 8th grade. While I am feeling restless and it won't be for another 3 more years for the next oldest to reach this milestone, I have decided to take her a little early after she graduates from the 5th grade instead.
Emma
It all started with a promise I made to her 2 years ago. By making this promise, I am committed. Not only for her but for me as well as this decision was equally as important to both of us.
She is the middle child out of the 5. I couldn't breathe when I saw her for the first time. After many ultrasounds and concerns that she would be born below the normal weight and length, she came out healthy weighing in at 7 pounds and 6 ounces. As a baby, she was not content and I spent every free minute I had holding her. She was the baby of the family for a very short time until she had to share the spotlight with her younger sister born two years later.
Though she demanded my attention as a baby, she has grown to become very independent. In fact, she is now probably the least needy out of all of them. I expect this out of my children as with 5 of them I am not in a position to wait on them hand and foot and they need to learn to solve their own problems at times. However, not being needed by her as much, I often feel a bit disconnected.
Each of my five children are on a schedule to have a one on one Saturday with me once a month. Emma has her own special interests outside of Toys R Us. She has a sense of adventure which I highly take advantage of since I do as well. She will enjoy a day of horse back riding or ice skating over a trip to Target to buy the lastst season of My Little Pony or Shopkins (she's pretty much grown out of these things anyway). There have been many memories from our adventures.
Getting Lost Is My Goal
I have no concerns what so ever with regard to whether or not she is ready for this excursion.
The itineraries for these trips are arranged solely by me as well as the financing and daily planning after we arrive. So far, in our planning efforts, she has helped me with the hotel selection and was very particular with regards to decor and amenities. We took the virtual walk on Google from Earl's Court station to the district in Kensington to where our hotel is located so that we won't get lost after we arrive. Our package included this hotel stay and a one-stop flight to Paris via Air France. And with that, one click of the mouse and it is done.
With the itinerary booked and funds raised, I am now creating a list of things to do based on the many British communities that I have subscribed to over the last three years. I bought a new purse and Emma's passport arrived after two weeks of the 6-8 weeks quoted processing time.
Unlike my previous posts, this one will be one of many as a series that will begin now and continue on until after I return.
This royal journey of ours will begin in exactly 4 weeks on June 12th.
