Phoenix With Kids Day 1: Sun and Relaxation

We are not usually resort-goers. Our vacation tastes are more about exploration than relaxation, but every few years things get hectic enough at home that we realize we need a little break. With two kids under four, we're no longer able to sleep in the sun, but we hoped that some time splashing in the water and sitting at the edge of the 1-foot deep tot pool would suffice. Still, we know ourselves well enough to realize that we won't be able to relax for more than a couple of days, and Phoenix seemed like it would offer the opportunity to discover something new once the opportunity to relax had run its course. To ensure that we would actually relax, we neglected to rent a car for the first several days, effectively trapping ourselves at the resort.

After a very long day getting here (it's a short flight, but with the snow it took us ages to get to the airport), we all slept in this morning. The extra space and two story suite felt extra luxurious this morning when D woke up before anyone else. Normally I would rush her out of the room to explore until everyone else woke up, but instead she was able to play downstairs without waking anyone.

Once we were finally up and dressed, we set out to explore the resort. I'm not really sure what my husband and I were thinking. When we visit a new city, everyone enjoys our little explorations, and walking through a new neighborhood is a great way to get the lay-of-the land. Here, though, it was pure torture for the kids. With each swimming pool bigger than the last, a manmade river complete with rafts, a miniature golf course and other kid-friendly enticements E got more anxious by the minute. He couldn't believe we were passing it all by. My husband finally ran back to the room and got swimsuits for everyone while I waited poolside with the kids. I won't bore you with the details, suffice it to say that the kids were happy and my husband and I were more relaxed than we have been in ages. . . it seems like this trip is working for us.

Tonight before bed E asked me "Mom, are we going home tomorrow." Worried that he was homesick, I said no, explained that this trip would be almost two weeks long, and tried to describe some of the fun things that we would be doing. His reply? "I want to stay for 100 days." I guess the trip is working for him too.

Filed Under: travel-stories

3 comments | Posted on December 26, 2008 | Save to del.icio.us

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