Sorry for the boring title.

I am currently in the process of completing a 7-page document for my parents who will be watching the kids  while my husband and I jet to Atlantis for our FIRST EVER vacation without the children. 

Yes. Our first.

We've both taken trips individually, but never together. Just the two of us. At least, not since my 11-year old was born. ELEVEN YEARS AGO! (Goes without explaining, I know, but really, this event warrants the use of repetition and ALL CAPS!)

I realized in May of last year that I had the opportunity to earn a vacation to Atlantis through my company. And since 2011 also marked our 20th wedding anniversary, I decided that I would work my little tail-feather to clinch that trip! Just. For. Us. Happy Anniversary, George!

And now, here I sit. Writing a post about vacationing without the children - offering you a boring title, because I'm overwhelmed with so many details. 

See, I've never planned for a trip where both of us would be away. ('Cause remember . . . WE'VE NEVER TAKEN ONE!) I thought it would be easy. 

I never realized I'd have to "pack" for them to stay behind. 

My brain is fried from "packing".

Which takes us back to that 7-page document, containing emergency numbers, daily activities, instructions for the dog, etc. There were also two Wills to be written (I know, I know, we hadn't gotten around to doing this over - ahem - the last 11 years), checks for school lunches to be written, medical release and change of permission forms for school pick-up to be signed. The car still needs a few minor repairs, the front storm door is broken (this is important when you have a dog that will bolt), and our shower isn't working well. Online shopping has become a MUST and I have definitely gotten my money's worth out of Amazon Prime. Yes, I bought toilet paper and various other household items all from the seat on which I now write this post. And yes, some guy in a warehouse is shaking his head going, "Really. This chick purchased ONE hairspray?" Free shipping, baby.

There were rides to be arranged and meals to plan.

There is still laundry to do. Oh! The laundry.

My goal? To have all of these details finished several days before we leave so we can enjoy just hanging with my children, who will also be experiencing something new - having Mom AND Dad gone at the same time for 5 days.

THE CHILDREN! ACK! THINK OF THE CHILDREN!

In all the planning, I've not really given any thought to how they will do. I know they will be fine - but I still have a son who gets lost on his way back from the bathroom in the middle of the night, and thus, lands in our bed.

I have a daughter who is concerned that my parents won't pray our scripture blessing over her before bed. (Yes, I printed it out.)

I can hear pings of anxiety in the questions of, "Who will walk with me to the bus-stop?", "How will I get to art class?" and "Will Me-ma and Pe-pa take us to Cafe Kolache?"

But mainly, they are a bit "put-off" for not receiving an invitation on our adventure. Not this time, kiddos.

I'm sure all will go smoo-Oh!, I just thought of something else for my list . . .

Gotta go.

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Joline Pinto Atkins is an actress who also uses the web as her world-wide stage and can also be founding writing at The Cuppa Jo, Workingmother.com, and is the founder and a contributor at Daily Fast Fuel. Joline is wife to one (phew - that's good to know) and mother of two amazing children, aged 11 and 7, who are both named after authors. Addicted to fitness, she is an Independent Team Beachbody Coach and sweats out any daily angst by exercising and P90X'ing, and longs for good books, vats of coffee, and an endless supply of buffalo wings - which she will not share with you. So, please, do not ask.