Tomorrow is our last full vacation day. As we near the end, I have learned, or rather reaffirmed, one important aspect of parenting. Schedule is king, at least in our home. We run on a tight schedule in Fort Worth, I know I’ve written about it before. We wake at the same time each day, eat our meals at the same time each day, have playtime, park time, reading, videos – all at essentially the same time each day. Of course, there are sometimes deviations, for a special occasion. A birthday or a trip to the airport to pick up Daddy. But anyone who knows me will tell you that with those rare exceptions, we do not dare run off schedule.

And so, was it really such a shock that at a dinner tonight that was scheduled too close to an afternoon snack and a long car ride, that Pea should act up? Climb on the banquettes? Roll around on the floor under the table? Knock a plate and silverware onto the ground? Scream? Really, what was I thinking? I know better. These girls have not had a proper nap since we’ve been on vacation – a regenerative nap in a bed. It’s been on the fly, mostly in the car, a little here and there. So naturally, towards the end of a week of this laissez-faire schedule, wouldn’t they be exhausted? The answer? YES.

And so, as much fun as I’ve had here with my family, it’s about time to return home. Return to the comfort of a schedule that is a constant in these little girls’ lives, day in and day out.

Lesson learned.