Holidays have taken on a whole new meaning this year. In the interest of saving money, we are having what we’d call a “casual approach” to vacationing in 2010.

So far this has translated into the husband being forced to take annual leave and enjoy it at home for a month (while I worked!) and now its been my and Harrison’s turn to take leave without the husband. I’m not sure what is says about the family unit when you start going away separately but rest assured we will remedy this at some point down the track in 2010!

But who can ask for a better holiday (despite being sans The Husband) than sharing it where family and good friends reside, and where life morphs into a more effortless phase. Sure, there is still the unavoidable everyday tasks that go hand in hand with taking a toddler any place and relaxing sleep ins and lazing idly by the beach (something I used to find synonymous with holidays) are all but non existent, but oh Dorothy knew what she was saying as she clicked away her ruby red shoes. You can live anywhere in the world and yet to me there still feels like there is no place quite like the one you first knew as “home”.

In this chilled out cocoon not only do I see my son flourish even more, but I feel a part of me begins to bloom again too. Instead of sounding like a record caught in repeat mode, uttering “Harrison no” to all types of fun scenarios he’d like me to participate in all day long, on holidays I can just sit and play and laugh and be as silly and as childlike as he wishes me always to be. Inspiration returns to both our lives and the fog of reality fades that little bit more so that there is light where there used to be grey. I have returned renewed, refreshed and reinvigorated to tackle this world!

Harrison too, has leapt forth from his baby shell in a big way. He has not only learnt a few more colours to his ever-expanding rainbow repertoire, but as well picked up a couple of new songs (yes he can take requests!). It is literally music to my ears to hear him break into unconscious song, and then burst into spontaneous applause after. Childhood confidence truly is a thing to be treasured…

Of course, it wouldn’t be a complete trip if Poppy hadn’t wheedled some mischievous trait into his stay. He decided it was a good time for him to learn the art of playing pool – except it involved Harrison sitting atop the table and launching those hard balls flying any which way in the hope they might rebound into the pocket!

He’s learned so much independence as well. Suddenly the highchair has been superseded – sitting up at the table with the adults is now far more appealing. Seems I left home with a baby and brought back a boy!

Perhaps we wont be partaking in any glamorous, let alone overseas, getaways this year (or even the next!) but I have learned you don’t need the fancy vacations with all the luxurious trimmings to have yourselves a damn good time. The simplest things are always the best…. For me its slipping effortlessly back into best friendships and spending time with the family and friends I love. Plus there is still nothing quite like the sight of your son snuggling into his Poppy’s arms and singing nursery rhymes before bed time, or laughing crazily with Nanny when she hiccups loudly, or kicking soccer balls in the Park with Grandpa or settling into Grandma’s lap before nigh nigh to read his new Diego book.

And while this last week has been all about Harrison and his Mummy, what better way to finish it off with the little man doing the “Hollywood scene run” straight into his Daddy’ outstretched and open arms at the airport. I would not swap that unadulterated moment of pure love for any holiday destination in the world!