Four Decades

To lessen the blow of turning the big four-oh!, John booked us a little birthday getaway. To my surprise, he actually took a real day off:

an. actual. vacation. day!

He only worked until 10am and then told everyone he would be out of commission. He even turned his e-mail off (his phone buzzes with emails every second, no joke).

As soon as we dropped off the kids at school (we went to the Award Assembly as Christian received the first writing award for his first grade class), then dropped off the kids' gear and my car at John's parents house and took Ashlyn to a friend's house, we were OFF!!

We planned a quick getaway to Dana Point and stayed at the Laguna Cliffs Marriott, which we highly recommend. Since we were only going to be gone one night, needed to make the most of it by leaving in the morning so we could enjoy nearly two days there. Are we ever glad we did!

The weather was FABULOUS!!!!! The best it was all summer - which of course says a lot since the sun barely ever came out all summer. The first stop was to the Dana Point Marina where we had lunch at a cute restaurant on the water.

Then, we rented a double kayak and paddled around the marina and out into the bay. It was so much fun!

On one side of the jetty that divides the marina from the sea was serene and pretty (above).

On the other side of the jetty (which we are standing on), there are gorgeous tide pools, waves crashing on rocks; stunning oceanic beauty.

This is what it looks like when you lie back in a kayak on the Pacific Ocean. The gentle rolling of the sea, soft chirping of distant seagulls, occasional sailboat, perfect gentle breezes and a warm sun - a recipe for pure relaxation.

We kayaked for about two hours, 'parked' (not what you think - there just isn't an anchor on board!) for almost a half hour, then headed back to check in to the hotel, which, by the way, is beautiful, well appointed, and luxuriously comfortable. We had an ocean-view room (thanks Elite status), and access to the spa and gym (thanks Elite status).

On Saturday we got to sleep in. Nobody woke us up at 6:30 in the morning asking for breakfast. Nobody awoke us with scary dreams in the middle of the night.

We went to the hotel's gym and had a good workout, then walked along Doheny Beach for a while. They were having a surf competition which was fun to watch.

Then we lounged at the hotel's gorgeous pool on super comfy chaises, ordered poolside lunch, had a mango smoothie, swam, read, napped . . . pure heaven.

Staying only one night was quick, we definitely could have done two, but so glad we made the most of two days. We kept saying over and over that we could not have asked for a better weekend. We really lucked out! It was a wonderful birthday present, one that had me walking on Cloud 9 for weeks,

well maybe days,

well Ok, until the whining and the messes started when we got the kids all home.

I can close my eyes and think about the wonderful weekend and be glad that I had that dreaded birthday which caused for such a treat.