Change is the only constant in life

We went to San Diego for the holiday weekend. I wanted to get away for my birthday, but not be required to do anything other than lay in the sun at the pool. I was able to do that more than I ever anticipated.

I realized this weekend that I no longer have small children who constantly want and need my attention. They don't wake up early in anticipation of the day, cajoling me to get them to the pool as soon as humanly possible. I don't get in the pool and play games or brib them out of the pool to rub them down with sun screen.

This time around, the husband and I walked around the bay each morning and had breakfast. Just the two of us. It was nice, don't get me wrong. But it felt really weird. Is this what life will be like when they're all out of the house?

We had to threaten our 17 year old daughter with physical violence to get her off the computer and out of the hotel room for a few hours.

Our 16 year old son, who is a budding celebrity in his own mind, wouldn't leave the room unless his clothing and shoes matched to a tee. Not an easy thing to do because he is pushing size 19 shoes on his 6'8" frame. But at least he swam and rode a tandem bike with his younger brother.

Only the 13 year old, who still loves being a kid, enjoyed swimming, biking and riding his scooter. He wasn't up at the crack of dawn, like he used to be, but he didn't sleep away half the day either. He at least needed me to bring him a towel and a taco for a snack out at the pool.

I honestly couldn't wait until they were old enough do their own thing, but I terribly miss the family time we spent together when they were younger. Like chele said, I can't believe they don't need me anymore.

Wow, things seem to have changed overnight.