left kids - home now
 

Thanks to all of those who previously responded to my post - leaving kids.
We followed many of your suggestions - we bought the Kissing Hand, we premade favorite foods, we did a calendar to count down days, got little gifts for each day and put together a guidebook for our sitter.
At the last minute, we decided that rather than schedule call days, we just told our girls (3& 8) and our sitter, that they could call us anytime - day or night - but we would not call them. We did call the sitter about every three days or so, just for a quick update.

Then we went to Italy, and it was so quiet - even though we were surrounded by lots of people!! We did get a (as in one) phone call from the kids - on my birthday. When I asked my oldest why they didn't call more, she said "well ya know Mom, it was just really busy" I had taken the time to plan quite a bit for them to do!!

So, we are home now - for less than 24 hours - and we really had a wonderful time as did they. My little darlings learned independence in our absence that I had not anticipated. All in all, it was a good thing for us all to be apart for a time. We actually had the time to talk and think about some things that we just can't do in the hustle and bustle of daily life!

Thanks to all for your suggestions!

Hi juju,

Glad it all went well at home.

So, waddja do in Italy?

((I))

I am so glad you were able to go and enjoy yourselves! I'm glad you let them call you - and that's a precious story:-)

Thanks for the update!

I can't wait to hear all about it..So glad you enjoyed yourselves!

Hi jujubean, that is a sweet story, it was just real busy, LOL. I am so happy you two had a wonderful time and it is good for spouses to have some time to themselves. I too hope you can file a trip report.

topping for jujubean

Ira and all, I am in the process of planning our next europe trip and ran accross this message from nearly two years ago!! Do you think it is too late to post a trip report??!!

It's NEVER too late :)

Ditto