Believe it or not: a weekend away

I am proud of myself for pulling off perhaps the biggest surprise of my marriage so far. At least the biggest surprise sprung by me instead of Garrett. Several months ago I started talking with our friend Deb about having her and her husband Larry come spend a weekend with the kids so Garrett and I could get a much needed respite. This past weekend the event unfolded and I am so delighted that after months of planning, the plan never slipped and I was able to work out the details without giving anything away. Last Friday Deb and Larry took the train from their home in the city and were here when Garrett got home from work. Garrett was so surprised! He was literally speechless for the better part of an hour or so, trying to digest the fact that little old Carrington had actually devised, coordinated, and executed this great escape! It was great fun. We put the kiddos to bed Friday evening and then took off and we didn't get back home until Sunday afternoon. I didn't realize at the time that I planned the trip that it was Mother's Day weekend, but I can sure think of worse ways to have spent the day! It was wonderful to have a leisurely morning with Garrett and come home to my ever more delightful brood.


We spent the weekend at a little bed and breakfast just about an hour north of our home. The B&B was charming and the hosts were warm and friendly. The breakfasts were delicious, our room was impeccable, and the weather even treated us well. We were near Hyde Park, NY, which is the hometown of Franklin Roosevelt, so we spent our Saturday being tourists. We visited a few national historic sites, checking out FDR's childhood home, Eleanor Roosevelt's personal sanctuary, Val-Kil, and touring the Vanderbilt mansion. It was really fun. A day of leisure and relaxation and doing something new and out of the ordinary--I can't remember the last time we had a moment to ourselves to do whatever we wanted with no thought of a curfew or somebody's naptime. I definitely wanted the weekend to last longer--I have so many books to read, movies to watch, stories to write, and naps to take! But this weekend was a special time for Garrett and me to feel like we are still a couple, not just co-parents, and it was a wonderful treat. Anyone want to babysit next weekend?!