Mommy Brain

When we woke up in the hotel room on Day Four, the kids were hungry. Starving, to be exact. We got out of there as fast as we could and traipsed downstairs to the complimentary continental breakfast. When we checked in, I was assured that it was a very nice breakfast that included waffles, fruit, muffins, and cereal. A little low on the protein scale, I figured, but it would get us by.

When we got downstairs to the breakfast nook, the first thing I noticed was the table. Yes, table, singular. One table. Two chairs. Already occupied. Where are we supposed to sit and eat?

Then I looked at the counter where “breakfast” was laid out. “Breakfast” consisted of a few stale bagels and some packets of instant oatmeal. Oh, and coffee that looked as thick as mud.

So the kids and I piled into the van and headed to Shari’s where they all scarfed down smiley-face pancakes and bacon and I dumped an entire cup of decaf plus cream and sugar in my lap. The nice waitress brought me a wet rag so that I could wipe off my sticky legs (I was wearing shorts) and after we were done eating we headed back to the hotel so Mommy could change.

After spending the morning at Deb’s house, we headed for the beach. I grew up on Puget Sound, so until I took my honeymoon to the Oregon Coast, I thought Puget Sound beaches were beaches. They’re not quite the same, but it was the closest my inland-born kids had ever come to the ocean. The smell of the Sound - kelp, saltwater - brought back such memories.

The kids spent the afternoon collecting clam and mussel shells in their buckets and catching tiny crabs. We’re not taking those home with us, kids! Okay? Hello? Anyone listening? Jonathan fell on some barnacles and scraped up his leg and Natalie sat down in the water unintentionally, but it was a good afternoon.