My first full day off work, No calls,

No paperwork.

I can’t remember the last time that happened, 

and feel vaguely confused that it did today.

I walked to the corner Starbucks and accidentally got the full sugar peppermint mocha, along with gingerbread, egg and cheese sandwiches and cranberry bliss bars. 

A seventy dollar smorgasbord and I was pleased. 

Things I’d never buy on a “normal” Sunday, 

my gift to my family.

We ate a hearty breakfast together and then each did our own thing for awhile, playing, or iPad, or writing,

Or napping.

Then we went to the aquarium, where we walked underneath sharks and Nemo and jellyfish. 

It was exactly like being in the ocean, except dry. The children were in awe, enjoying the slide in the kid zone most of all, 

as we’d predicted.

We let them run around until they started to head in all different directions, at which point we rounded them up again for their own safety. 

A quiet supper of fish and chips picked up via cab,

more time spent together.

Screams of excitement as they run around a strangers airbnb, 

Nothing much different than at home, 

and yet.