When I tell people I’m going on a spring vacation to Hawaii, the first thing they usually say is, “Are you bringing the kids?” I’ll respond with an excited, “Heck yeah!” and sometimes they give me a wide-eyed look in return, sometimes they tell me I’m crazy, and every once in a while someone will agree that that sounds like fun.

Sure, traveling with kids isn’t necessarily easy, especially when it involves a nearly 6 hour flight with a wiggly 17 month old and a 3 year old. But the truth is that I couldn’t imagine it any other way. While Andy & I hopefully have decades ahead of us to take romantic vacations together, the time that we have with our kids while they are little and cuddly and genuinely wanting to be with us is fleeting. Besides, I want them to see the world as much as I want to see it, if not more.

I want to witness the excitement in their eyes when the plane takes off.
I want to see their reaction to experiencing the ocean for the first time.
I want to build unforgettable family memories that will live on long after Andy & I are gone.
I want our travels to be part of the legacy I leave behind with them. Even if it is just one short trip each year.

So yeah, maybe I’m crazy because I don’t want a vacation from my children, I want a vacation with my children. But seriously, how could I ever leave these precious faces behind?

Bye-bye Google Reader. Feel free to follow my blog with Bloglovin instead. Or transfer the RSS feed to another reader. I don’t know what I’m going to do yet! Boo hoo….

• http://www.palmtreemama.wordpress.com/ Fiona

  I would absolutely be the same. I WANT Lids to be there for moments like this… I want to see her experience it all and have her by my side while I do. These are the moments I was so excited about having a family for. You guys will have such a wonderful time!!!

  • http://www.dreamstodo.com/ Ariel @ Dreams To Do

    We had THE BEST time! Oh my gosh, it is SO painful to be back to reality. I will get a post up soon (hopefully).

• lisa

  love your perspective on this! I used to just want vaca with just Chris and no Landon but I totally feel the same way as you now. Maybe its cause he’s a little older now. Plus lots of hotels have daycares & sitters if you & Andy want to have some alone time Which island are you going to? Super jealous and I can’t wait to see all your pics!

  • http://www.dreamstodo.com/ Ariel @ Dreams To Do

    Yeah, traveling with a busy baby isn’t too much fun, but our Landon was actually pretty good on all flights and he LOVED the beach so much! Can’t wait to share pics on the blog – once life settles down. We went to Kauai and it was AMAZING!

• Melissa @ Completely Eclipsed

  I think that a couples vacation and family vacation are equally important. Andy and I were recently talking about how fun it would be to take Isabella to the Bahamas next Spring. We’ve only taken her to Disney World and we’d like to broaden her horizons a bit. We’re also talking about taking a mini-vacation, like a long weekend down to Florida just the two of us sometime after the baby is born. I’m really excited about the prospect of both, but if I had to say which one will really come to fruition it would be the family trip. We’ll see.

  • http://www.dreamstodo.com/ Ariel @ Dreams To Do

    For sure! Maybe one reason I’m so pro-traveling-with-kids is because I don’t really have another option – HA!

• Celeste Aslanyants

  Thank you!!! I’ve already told Arsen that the chances of getting me to go on a trip without our little guy are slim to none…and he’s not even here yet! I just can’t fathom leaving him behind while we travel someplace. One of my best friends is getting married in October in Denver and I fully intend on taking him with me…no way in heck I’m leaving him at five months old! Arsen thinks I’ve lost my mind, but I know myself better than to think I could handle that. What a wonderful mama you are to want to share in all your fun moments with your babies!

  • http://www.dreamstodo.com/ Ariel @ Dreams To Do

    You are so sweet! We are back and I’m happy to report that the flights were pretty painless, even with the handful that Landon is! Both kids were so good the entire trip and had THE BEST time. Seeing their joy made the trip that much better. I’ll get up a recap post soon.

• http://www.pecklife.com/ Emily @ PeckLife.com

  I hope you have an amazing time! Your kiddos will remember this! It’s so special that you are taking them! Can’t wait to hear how it goes!

  • http://www.dreamstodo.com/ Ariel @ Dreams To Do

    Oh my gosh, we had the BEST time! Just got back and I’m so sad. Hoping to get back to blogging sometime soon so I can share pics!