Okay, so many critical errors were made. But our trip to Florida last week may well indeed rank as our Best Vacation Ever.

Critical Error 1: Thinking it was possible to start our trip, I believe my words were "bright and early", when it was dark and early before I ever made it to bed the night before.

Critical Error 2: Failing, despite staying up until 2:30 am, to get all the packed stuff, packed into the car.

Critical Error 3: Thinking it would just take a few minutes to pack the car, so telling the hungry kids we would just grab breakfast though a handy drive-thru on the way out of town.

Critical Error 4: About 2 hours later, failing to recognize why a certain 6-year old was having a melt-down. (See Critical Error 3)

And those four major mistakes all happened before we even made it out of the driveway. But all that aside, plus considering the brutal traffic that is a road trip during spring break, we had a wonderful week of family and fun.

We did the zoo and Sea World and Disney's Magic Kingdom and it was truly fabulous. Here's a tip: If you ever do Disney, especially during a crazy-busy time like spring break, get there early. I mean e-a-r-l-y. Thanks to my planner sister-in-law, we got to the park at 7 am and had a glorious 2 hours with basically no lines. After that it was packed, of course, but we'd already hit 5-6 rides by then.

But you know, even considering Shamu and the Mouse and Cinderella and all that, I have to say my favorite part of all was spending time at my Dad's house. He's 81 years old, and I know full well the importance of treasuring our time together because it doesn't happen very often and there's no guarantee of how much of it we have left. When I was a kid, Dad was very focused on his career. I guess you have to be when you're a professional football coach. But he is a very different grandfather, than he was a father. It was truly a joy, seeing him enjoying those kids. And they had such fun with him. I wish he didn't live so far away.

I also think this was the first time I've ever taken a vacation when I didn't count down the days in my head: only 5 days left... 4 more days... oh we have to go back home in just 2 days... you know what I mean. I didn't fret about the vacation having to end, I just enjoyed it moment to moment. I wish it hadn't taken me all my life to be able to do that -- or maybe with three kids it just becomes a necessity-- my brain was occupied by too much other stuff to cram any fretting in. Either way, I hope I can keep on doing that. Then I'll be guaranteed many more Best Vacations Ever.

Penny