Last Day of Vacation ....

These 2 pictures are from previous family vacations.  Way back when.  The first one of all of the kids was around 2000, give or take. 

     This is Jim and Son #2 (note the joy pouring out of Son #2's body) on our 2003 vacation:

     So today was our last day .... a full day at sea.

I left the cabin around 9:00 this morning and didn't really see much of the boys until close to dinner time.  (I decided last night that I'd just let today "happen" and let them hang out doing whatever they wanted to do.  That way there were no expectations of "together" time, which was OK.)

Son #3 got up early, went to breakfast, and then came back to bed as I was leaving. 

I think Son #2 got up around noon.

I caught sight of him one time this afternoon on the ship, as he was on his way to harass some teenage girls, most likely.

I saw Son #3 later in the day .... I think he was on is way back to the cabin.

I just hung around one pool and then another throughout the day, and read.  

At one point I went to the side of the ship to read/snooze in the breezy shade.  

I hit the "adult pool" when I needed quiet time.

There is a time and a place in everyone's life for an "adult pool".

Trust me.

So tomorrow we go home.

I think we're all ready.

It's been a very "different" vacation.

Less enjoyable than I had anticipated.

More "work" than I had anticipated.

More painful than I had anticipated.

Not the fault of Disney World ..... or the cruise.  Not at all.

It's just me.

And my definition of "vacation", which has now changed .... as have my expectations.

Yet again.

But .... I did it.

Another "first".  

Our first family vacation in our "after".  

Not sure when we'll have another one.  This one required way too much mask-wearing.

It required way too much of a lot of things.

I look forward to really relaxing next week at J & L's.  Before the Soaring Spirits Conference.

I think it will be a good week ..... and I pray that it will be a good weekend.  

I'm looking forward to finally meeting many friends face-to-face.

And not having to wear a single mask.

But first .... I have to go home, do laundry, enroll Son #2 back into high school, fill out Son #3's health form before he leaves for camp on Sunday, make sure he gets his laundry and packing done, grocery shop for Son #2 and my mom, catch up on bills and paperwork, re-pack,

and try not to forget anything ...... all before I leave again on Sunday.

I think I'm tired ....