It has been three years since my last blog. Fear not, I have not given up on traveling with my precious ones just yet, I just took some time out to have some undocumented crazies with them. We decided to have some “normal” family holidays, the sort where one day is as easily predictable as the other- fly to destination, stay, visit, eat, walk around and fly back. We are well overdue, in fact we are all yearning for something a lot less sedate. After all, why would anyone with children expect a relaxing holiday. I think the word “Family Holiday” is a contradiction in itself. One either has a family or a holiday, never both at the same time.
Enough of my ramblings, so in the spirit of all things Amaechitrip we are going to the Gold Coast as a family of 9. And no Godfrey and I have not been super busy, we just have new family members joining us. My mother and amazing grandma Chioma senior, my lovely sister Ony, her brave husband Nimi and beautiful daughter Ruby.
Preparations:
So why would one prepare for a holiday, well 2 reasons come to mind. Firstly as noted earlier it is NOT a holiday but a family thingy, secondly my brain goes down a gear during family thingys so I like to make sure everyone is able to cater for themselves during that period. So-
• Flights have been booked
• Accommodation sorted, self catering of course, we are all going to cuddling up together in the same house, bliss!
• Menu plan for the week drafted
• Groceries are ready to be ordered online with woolies(see previous blog posts re this process)
• Car rental sorted
• Clothes, underwear etc sorted
• Electronic devices and chargers ready to go. I confess I have no guilt, I am one of those mums who let their kids use electronic devices during holidays.
• A few books for my kids to read when I begin to feel guilty regarding their technology use

1/7/19
Although the flight was uneventful the hours prior were a blurr for me.
Let me explain, my mother and sister had put their foot down and insisted that under no circumstance was I traveling with them with my hair looking “au naturale”. I had taken out my braids weeks earlier and was too physically and emotionally uninterested in my tresses to think of doing anything but wash, moisturize, comb and repeat. Slowly but surely, it was beginning to frizz up and the quantity and intensity of my morning hair combing routine was increasing. Unfortunately for me, I couldn't spare the required 8 hours plus to re-do my braids ( yes, it does take that long). Besides, I figured that if Godfrey wasn't complaining, then……
I continued to ignore their initial pleas and gentle probing questions such as ‘ Are you going on holiday with your hair like that?’ I tried to explain on numerous occasions that since both the head and the hair belonged to me, the shame will be all mine and they had nothing to worry about.
Anyway, they arranged for and informed me that an appointment had been made for me with a dear friend, to get my hair braided at 6am Saturday morning ahead of our 6.30pm flight (they didn't want me looking like a tramp and spoiling their photos). I am grateful to all involved for saving me from myself, we all need people in our lives who love us and consistently remind us that self-care is not a luxury.
So 5 adults, 3 children, an infant, 8 hand luggages, 2 checked in bags, 2 handbags, 5 knapsacks, an infant car seat and a baby bag later we touched down at our destination. I felt really proud that nothing outrageous had happened. This did not last long, I had to use the toilet at the airport and I rushed into what I assumed was the ladies, I saw my child 3(male) washing his hands and I wondered why he was in the ladies toilet. I was about to remind him that he was getting a bit to old for the ladies when it hit me. It wasn’t him, it was me! I was in the gents! I quickly rushed out to the great amusement of my dearly beloved family. They proceeded to laugh loud enough to to draw attention to me as I walked out. I found the whole situation quite amusing,

2/7/17
Our groceries have been delivered and these are the commandments to be followed by all and sundry.
• Thou shall not eat out except on the first and last nights.
• Thou shall not request to eat out except on the first and last nights.
• Thou shall not sneak out to eat said delicacies, we have ordered groceries and our menu plan has to be honored
• Thou shall not wake anybody up in the morning, waking up shall be voluntary, it is illegal to leave your bed before sunrise.
• Thou shall assume responsibility for thine own personal care.
• Thou shall not ask me about your personal items, I don’t live here.
• Thou shall not expect me to look for your missing personal items.
• Thou shall desist from all bickering, arguing and conflict in any form or guise until 6pm ACT on 8/7/17.

We head out tomorrow for our first outing, looking forward to it