I go on vacation with my sister's family twice a year. In the winter we rent a house in the snow and in the summer we rent a lake house together. It works out quite well since I am comfortable getting mad at my husband in front of them, we both put our kids to bed pretty early, my brother-in-law used to be a bartender and makes a mean margarita and our kids are all around the same age and get along famously. The house at the lake we rent each year is massive.
This past summer while we were at the lake, my sister mentioned that we could easily accommodate another family. We started listing all our friends and coming up with reasons that we could never go on vacation with them. We finally settled on my friend V and her family. Here was our reasoning:
1. They only bring one other child into the mix and he's a very well behaved, sweet boy.
2. Gloppy is the only boy cousin and he could use another little boy to play with, and V's son is the right age.
3. V's husband J is hilarious and really fun at parties.
4. J is also a total kid at heart and will keep the kids entertained for hours making up silly games and goofing around. We call him the fifth Wiggle.
5. V is a small woman and she won't eat much.
6. J is a master behind the grill.
7. V is not one to gossip or say mean things behind someone's back, which may cut down on trash talking for me and my sister. But the good thing is she won't go back and tell everyone how crazy my family really is.
So we decided that we might invite V and J and their darling son with us to the lake next year. It's still under discussion, but for now they hold the title of "Least Annoying Family."
Congratulations V & J!! No offense to any of my other friends who might be reading this. I love you all, but maybe not enough to go on vacation with you. Sorry.
7 comments:
Ok, so I totally agree with your friend who has restrictions about who she will vacation with. She sounds really smart and you're lucky to have her in your life. Really lucky.
I read through your list of V and J's plusses and although I agree that they seem like good candidates, I am a little concerned that after a week "fun guy" quality will be the first line of defense to justifiable homicide. Also, I've been around people who don't eat that much and often it is because they need to comment about how much you eat. But other than that, it sounds great! Have fun!
I read she-who-shall-not-be-named's twit comment about not vacationing with younger children and I was crushed. I'll never be invited on her vacations. Sigh. Her loss. She's missing out on all the temper tantrums and snotty noses.
Now I'm reminiscing about Bass Lake again... TWO WEEKS next year baby!!! TWO WEEKS!
Sadly, I go through this same process with my brother and his family. I adore their kids, but do I really want to spend that much time with my SIL. Hmmmm...
We're doing a three-day trial run in December. We'll see how things go.
I've had delusions about traveling with friends in the past, but I am quite realistic about it now. I commend you for going into it so openly, trust me it's a big decision, especially when it's coveted vacation time!
Happy vacationing!
No offense taken. :-)
I can totally relate. We go every other year for a week to Emerald Isle with my husband's family. When I say family I mean this summer it was 37 people total including kids. The kids ages vary from a few months all the way to 18...yeah it makes it interesting so I can completely understand the limiting.
Any vacationing with other couples we do is usually kid free.
Post a Comment