Starting back fresh.

Sometimes, this is what happens when there's work to do, and you see fit to take off on a long Hawaiian holiday your first year on the job.

Properly explained, the rest of the family surely would understand the job sacrifices, if next year they're stuck in the White House, out doing day trips to D.C. museums or staying home reading, playing Wii while Dad has to work.

Somehow, I think it sends the wrong message when things are bad and there's a job to do, that the president takes off to Hawaii for family vacation. Plenty of time for relaxing when the work's done and all that. Perception, and no -- it's coming from a place of practicality, not jealousy.

Some of my kids swam everyday over the winter break, some came here and there, and some were gone. If it was family vacations or travel, understandable. The breaks from the mandatory school calendar need to be seized when they can. And this is a club sport, young kids. Still... Guess which group has improved most in dropping times these past two meets?

It's great to carve out family time. But the travel part sends the wrong message when so many are understandably contenting themselves with less this year.