Ah, spring break.
That time of year when most people head to a warmer climate leaving our
budget conscious family to chill out in town. Operative word being 'chill'.
With few friends around
to invite to our house and no one requiring my babysitting services, I had visions of tackling some closet/mudroom/study/basement-toy-area reorganization tasks. Bottom line - eliminate!
Right off the bat, I knew that the slobs I live with, a.k.a. my children, weren't all that focused on overhauling a single corner of our home. In order to keep the troops happy, I agreed to schedule some fun into our week off of school and sitting. Besides, if Tank was hopping on a plane, I felt it was only fair that the rest of us kick back a bit. I'm getting ahead of myself . . .
A few months ago, Tank was fortunate enough to
be invited to Hilton Head with his best friend's family. When they asked him, it was all I could do not to whisper subliminally into the
phone, 'take me, take me!'
Thankfully the males of the family take on the tent set up duty. I try to keep true family identity a secret, but I couldn't help post this one despite Reg's photo bomb from in the tent! |
As usual Coach and I wondered how families can afford to jet somewhere over spring break, and most likely head out of town again in the summer. Perhaps their grocery bills don't top $400 bucks on a weekly basis allowing them the wiggle room necessary to invest in travel.
Setting the cost factor aside, I can't wrap my brain around the logistics. IF Coach was to take time off of work, we'd still need to deal with the fact that college-kid Laddie is now on a different schedule than the rest of our gang. How do families manage that issue? While Eddie might not be penalized for missing varsity water polo practice at high school (our water polo program isn't overflowing with extra players waiting to fill an empty position - unlike Ed's more mainstream h.s. winter sport of basketball), he still prefers to attend practice with his teammates.
While I tossed around a few ideal spring break day trips for the family, I reminded myself that soon friends, classmates, acquaintances, strangers, and even my own son Tank will pop up in the grocery store, the school, the health club, and the library after basking in the sun during their relaxing holidays.
Their skin will be a few shades darker, and their exotic cornrows will boast of their adventures. My pale face will smile. I'll politely inquire through gritted teeth where they were lucky enough to visit.
This is why I MUST accomplish some organization project on the home front. I need to be able to secretly bask in the knowledge that my closets are more organized than theirs. (That satisfaction will only make me feel marginally better).
Tune in to find out what we decided to squeeze in over spring break with our limited time, money, and family members . . .
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