Postcard from the Burbs

Vince and I were reflecting on this past week, which we both took off for vacation, and concluded it was in our list of top five vacation weeks ever. This is no small praise considering our shared love of travel and not working. And especially considering we went exactly nowhere. That's right, our week spent at home rated higher than last year's trip to Cancun. Why?

That's what we were trying to figure out. I know this is really self-indulgent but, hey, I'm 5 months pregnant-- I can do whatever I want (hormones really are the next best excuse after old-age senility-- think about it). Here are some self-identified highlights of our week together at home in suburban Philadelphia...

- Seeing our squirming baby on the ultrasound monitor.
Bonus: Vince asking the ultrasound tech if this baby is abnormally large, as he's been predicting.

- Entertaining friends accompanied by our new grill and outdoor dining set.
Bonus: Vince continuing to refer to the "giant, screaming baby" against all evidence to the contrary.

- Water canon war with Beck, Meg and Vince's dad in the pool on July 4th.
Bonus: Rebecca's concern over Bill the Duck's recent cardiac surgery (too many Bills in our family).

- Somewhat larger than expected backyard fireworks display courtesy of Vince and his dad.
Bonus: Next day, across-the-street neighbor complaining to Vince about the people behind us shooting off fireworks ("yeah, we might have heard those...").

- Delivering a draft of my final grad requirement to Drexel after slacking for a quarter.
Bonus: Visiting my old stock exchange coworkers-- and then being able to leave.

- Gorgeous Friday lounging in the pool with Allison, while Vince teaches 3-year-old Jonny to use a water canon.
Bonus: Jonny repeatedly proclaiming his goal of defending Allison specifically, while he intermittenly sprayed us with his bad aim.

- Showing up to what must have been the over-40 showing of the Devil Wears Prada with Allison (not that there's anything wrong with that...).
Bonus: 40-year old woman loudly testing her cell phone etiquette during the previews; "I'm watching a movie; I'll have to call you back!"

- Our cutest cats ever showing off for Aunt Lee Anne and Bill (not the duck), who came down from NY with free furniture.
Bonus: Our cute cats not puking or peeing anywhere off-limits this week.

We also did a lot of work on the house this week ("we," meaning Vince). But checking off items from one's (Vince's) to-do list can also be refreshing in it's way. (More refreshment for you this weekend, honey!) ;)

Hope y'all had good weeks too (as Allison would say, with her deep Southern accent).

Posted by Stephanie at July 11, 2006 11:57 AM