Many of you know that our recent trip to Colorado was our first family car trip, and I was a bit nervous about it, to say the least. I’m a pretty good packer, having spent much of my adulthood traveling from city to city, so the vacation portion didn’t worry me too much. But being ready for the fourteen hours in the car – that was another story.

I did my research. I road-tested stuff. I polled other moms. And I finally compiled several lines of defense to stave off boredom and squabbles during our enforced family intimacy time.

And, I must confess, had a little freak out.

Yes, we've been gone on vacation, having a fantastic time in Colorado and generating lots of material for future blogs. We arrived back home around 5:30 p.m. Sunday night, and the girls were so relieved to be back in familiar surroundings that they promptly went into "check-out" mode and began playing elaborate games by themselves, each in her own little corner. Life is good.

As for me, I went crazy and unpacked the entire family, even putting the suitcases away, last night. I couldn't bear the thought of collapsing into bed and waking up to a messy house with a list of chores waiting for me. Well, a longer list of chores, anyway - today is all about grocery shopping and putting on my "get my baby ready for school" hat.

I took notes all last week, don't worry - you'll hear plenty of stories about the time we saw a mama bear and her bear cubs, five feet from our bedroom window. Or about the time Cora danced around on the peak of a 14,000-foot mountain with a lightening storm rolling quickly in, singing at the top of her lungs: "I like to move it move it!"

Many good stories, I promise. But right now, I gotta go get milk for our cereal.

My children are driving me up the wall.

Seriously up the wall.

Both spent the entire day yesterday trading off meltdown times, alternately weeping, whining, and walking around the house going, "I'm bored! When are we going to Colorado?"

I'm pretty much packed, and thankful for that. I'm so ready to go on vacation.

Just somewhere other than where my offspring are going.

Wish us luck over the next week - I can't guarantee how many of us will be returning.

Cora's been throwing up all day.

How did I not see this coming?