Carolien is ready for a vacation because of her vacation

Vacation: for many something to look forward to, but with two kids it's like preparing for a whole migration. Even though we are staying in the Netherlands this year, we are only going away for five days and going just 165 kilometers further: the military operation is no less.

Let me take you along: this morning at seven o'clock I first calmly rubbed the sleep from my eyes, but that was the only thing that went smoothly today. A quick shower (with Otis who absolutely did NOT want to cooperate) and laying out my own clothes (by the way, I'm now wondering if I forgot my own underwear), then downstairs to grab random things I come across: the steamer for Elias’ snacks, sun hats, two pacifier clips (the more, the better), a swimsuit for Otis (Crap! His underwear was still in the laundry, totally forgot. That means a stop at Hema) and a laptop charger. Then I hopped on my bike towards the Bijenkorf, because my husband suddenly decided he needed those awful flip-flops and a coffee set to grind his own beans and brew coffee. He has become such a coffee purist since we got that ridiculously expensive machine at home.

Then I got a bit distracted in the shoe department (OMG, 70 percent off!), but I quickly regrouped and raced back home. On the way, I picked up some groceries (and still forgot half of the list), only to find a mess at home: Otis half-dressed, stuff everywhere that is half-packed, and Jon trying to feed Elias a snack in between. SHALL WE JUST STAY HOME? But we regroup, slam the suitcases shut, and cram everything into the car. I already need a vacation from this morning, I can tell you...