Wishful Thinking

     This year we had a neighborhood Easter Egg hunt.  Every house contributed eggs and we zoned off some front yards and divided the kids into 3 different age groups.  There were 13 kids from 5 different houses ages two to eight years old.  It was loud, it was crazy, it was chaotic, and it was fun.  These are the moments when I realize I am exactly where I want to be.
    
     I thought about it.  Seriously thought about it.  Last week when I bought a ticket for the $640 million lottery jackpot I allowed myself to dream about how I would spend that insane amount of money. 

     My dreams include a house in Hawaii.  This would be for vacations whenever we want to go.  No, I don't need to live in Hawaii.  Living in Hawaii means we get to look at the ocean as we drive to school each morning, come home and do homework, and then drive to all our extracuricular activities.  If we're not busy on the weekend we might be able to squeeze some time in at the beach.  (I know this because I already live 20 minutes from the beach and rarely visit.)  Vacationing in Hawaii seems the way to go.

    A house in Big Bear would also be fun so we could spend the winter playing in the snow and skiing.  No, I'm not dreaming any bigger.  My kids still have to go to school during the weekdays.  I just want to be able to drive up on a Friday, play Saturday, come home Sunday and be back to the grind Monday.  For some reason, driving 2 hours in my van seems more reasonable than involving airplane travel in this fantasy.  (I am ever the pragmatist.)

     I would buy a house in my neighborhood so my sister and brother could come for extended visits.  I understand they have a life and I would be willing to share custody of them with their other friends and family.  They can spend half the year in Washington D.C. or Florida as their mood suits, and half the year with me.  (I feel this is more than generous.)

     Lastly, although I would make minor renovations to my house, when seriously thinking about where I want to live I couldn't dream of being anywhere else. We have great  schools.  I have a nice house.  And I love my neighborhood.  When we bought our house in this new development, it turned out that all the other buyers were families with kids the same age.  I look forward to watching all our kids grow up together.

     When our neighborhood egg hunt was done yesterday, we all posed for a group shot.  I was with my family, our parents, and some great neighbors.  How many people can say they are exactly where they want to be?  The only way I could be more fortunate is if my sister lived right next door.  Start working on that for me Maggie!