My in-laws have my forever gratitude for taking care of the kids while M and I escaped for a child-free weekend.  It was way overdue and much appreciated.  For all of the talk about Jon & Kate, multiples, and divorce…. I would be lying if I tried to claim that we somehow escaped all of that stress (even without the demands of our own reality show).  And by the end of the day, the last thing I have the energy to do is to focus on reconnecting with M.  Sorry, it’s true.  So this weekend was just what the doctor ordered.

It was a pretty quick drive up to Kennebunkport, Maine, where we stayed at The Breakwater Inn and Spa.  Cheap? Nope. But if you get away maybe once a year, I say splurge.  We arrived at around 9:30pm, and the reception desk was closed.  It’s a quiet town, that’s for sure.  Well, they had basically taped up an envelope with my name on it, our room key, and a letter welcoming us.  The room was lovely and spacious, and for a little extra ambiance, they had the classical station playing on the stereo when we arrived.  Aaaaahhhhhhhh.

Saturday morning was “me” time, for both of us.  M… well…. slept.  That’s what he wanted, that’s what he got.  I was, of course, wide awake at 7:30AM, but no biggie. I lounged around and read blogs on my iPhone. Took a shower without wondering what trouble the kids would get into. Walked over to the complimentary breakfast and took in the view while sewing. My time to do whatever I so choose.

The one “scheduled” thing about the weekend was my pair of spa appointments.  Aaaaahhhh. My first massage since I was pregnant was absolutely delicious, and the pedicure was not only lovely but overdue now that we’re in sandal season.

Spa loveliness was over around lunchtime, so we hopped into “downtown” and had a very tasty lunch at Hurricane Restaurant. Highly recommend it, tasty food complete with lovely views of the water. We lucked out, as it was warm and sunny after a nasty week of cold and rainy.

After lunch, we soaked in the lack of schedule and restraints.  Walked around, hung out. M actually suggested that we hit a quilt shop we saw on the way in (yes, he loves me).  More on the cotton-y goodness on my other blog.  After that, his one request was to… play mini-golf.  Yep.  Mini-golf, it is.  Who won?  Yours truly! Not that either of us was particularly impressive.

After a stop at one of the countless ice cream shops, we headed back to the hotel and I took a whopping two-hour nap.  At 5PM. What a treat!  Then we went out for a late dinner.  Let me tell you, if you find yourself in the greater Kennebunk area, make it a point to have a quiet dinner at On the Marsh.  Service was good, ambiance was lovely, food was delicious. We even lucked out that they had a prix fixe menu in anticipation of Southern Maine Restaurant Week.  (The mahi mahi was so good, I’ll even forgive them for spelling it “prefix.”)

Sunday was a quiet day. I got up and lounged around the free breakfast again, M slept in some more.  Snapped a few photos of the copper wind sculptures and the bit of rocks and sand along the river right in front of the hotel.  A bit of shopping and the most delicious roast beef sandwich I may have ever had at Henry VIII, and we were on our way home.

And so, I say unto you: get out of town.  If someone offers to watch the kids for a day or two, don’t think twice. Go someplace fun and relaxing, splurge a little, and reconnect with your non-nap-dictated self, and maybe even your beloved as well.  Good for you to get a break, good for the kids to have some time with other people.