During the first week of school it would be very sensible to keep routines easy and simple. To follow Lazy Genius principles, have some easy dinners, not overplan, and try and relax into the new family routine.
Rachel in Wales is not sensible. Rachel in Wales is reporting from Heathrow airport at 5:30am, while waiting for a flight to New York.
When I initially got the invite to my cousin's wedding I thought of a million reasons it wouldn't work for me to go. It was in New York! It was the weekend after school started. I have 4 kids. I'm out of annual leave. I haven't been away in a long time, and I haven't been to the US since 2019. I put "decline wedding invite" on my to-do list for weeks.
And I kept... not declining. I have only two cousins, and this may be the last time I get invited to a big joyous family gathering.
Eventually Andy said I should go. The wedding is on Sunday. Last night I drove to Heathrow, and stayed overnight at a Premier Inn. At 4am I got up and took the bus to the airport. Saturday morning security was a breeze, and now I'm comfortably waiting for my flight. This evening is a welcome drinks event, Sunday is the wedding, and Monday night I'm flying back.
It all seems rather crazy, but in a former life I absolutely loved travel and adventure. And while I am probably tired now (I didn't sleep great) I also am experiencing the unbelievable lightness of being at an airport by myself. No kids laundry, no kids snacks, no toilet hunting. One carry on, one backpack. One laptop.
The week leading up to this has been... a lot.
On Tuesday I had to take the car to the garage because a bunch of warning lights were coming on. Luckily it was fixed in a day, but that was £250 and a day of car faffd
On Wednesday Lily turned 6! We went to a science museum and then ate cake.
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| I know I'm biased but she is SO CUTE |
