Sure, cruising is a vital part of life here at the World of Weeks—because nothing says “mental reset” like floating across the ocean with unlimited desserts and zero laundry. But back on dry land, our daily life looks less like a luxury liner and more like a circus with homeschool curriculum.

We’re a year-round homeschool family, which basically means we school until someone cries (usually me), take a breather, then dive back in. Fall, winter, spring, summer—we’re like academic groundhogs popping up every few weeks to check if it’s time for a break. The upside? We travel during off-seasons when the crowds are thinner, and the prices don’t require a second mortgage.

The kids have developed a love of the arts and are currently enrolled in theater, ballet, music class, voice lessons, and piano. Translation: our vehicles are now Ubers for tiny performers.

Then there’s the grocery store. My free time – I use that term loosely – is used to place on line orders which happen so often that I’m considering asking for my own pickup parking spot including my name engraved on the pickup sign. And the cooking? The cleaning? Why didn’t anyone warn me that adulthood was basically a never-ending episode of Chopped, followed by Survivor: Laundry Edition?

Speaking of laundry, our washer and dryer may be the hardest-working members of the household. Honestly, I should take a cue from them and start working out. Or at least stretch while folding towels.

From spring to fall, I moonlight as a gardener—planting, watering, pruning, harvesting and fighting off pests. Then there’s preserving my bounty. Because nothing says “fun weekend” like staring down 50 pounds of tomatoes and cucumbers while trying to figure out what other creations I can put in the canning jars. Jars that I constantly need to purchase due to my need to expand the garden every year.

Meanwhile, I’m buried under mountains of clothes and toys destined for donation. I swear they multiply when I’m not looking. Somewhere in there are vet appointments, grooming sessions for the pups, and the occasional doctor or dentist visit for the humans in the family—because apparently, teeth don’t clean themselves.

Hubby works from home, which means he spends his days in the office on calls, creating presentations, and planning customer visits. He also mows the lawn, though I occasionally take the mower for a spin just to remind the neighbors I still exist and that mowing isn’t just a man’s job.

And let’s not forget the house maintenance: painting, repairing, organizing, reorganizing, pest control, filter swapping, lightbulb changing… Sometimes I think the house is just messing with us.

Our oldest daughter is now a college student who will soon be back to juggling classes, homework and a job. I’m not saying she’s a superhero, but she’s definitely powered by caffeine and determination. Which reminds me . . . I need to add coffee and cases of Coke Zero to the next grocery order.

Evenings are a blur of baths, pajamas, tooth brushing, book reading, and the sacred ritual of collapsing on the couch for some peace and calm before the cycle starts again.

Oh, and just to spice things up, we’ve recently entered the world of gluten-free living. One of our kids tested positive for Celiac, so I now spend my days squinting at labels like I’m decoding ancient scrolls, scouring Pinterest for gluten-free recipes and trying to convince the rest of the family that gluten-free doesn’t mean joy-free.

Our life is busy. Our life is challenging. Our life is gloriously full.

And every now and then, we escape over the wide blue ocean—because sometimes, the best way to learn is with a passport in hand and a buffet in sight.