Let the Break Begin!

After all the waiting and the counting down, Christmas finally arrived! And now it’s over. I do like this time of year, but it’s always a relief when it’s finally over.

And now it feels like the break really begins.

This year we have no plans, not even a short trip to the snow (which we did last year). I’m glad, because I’d love to get some work done around the house, and having this much time might actually mean it will happen.

We spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at my parents’ house. I meant to spend the beginning of the day at a park with a friend and then in my classroom (where the kids would scooter around the blacktop), but the rain that was supposed to fall all day on Wednesday, actually hit Tuesday and my plans were thwarted. I did manage to get in a (very muddy) run before the sun went down, which I was very thankful for.

{I also managed to finally make and order the two calendars that were supposed to be gifts for both sets of grandparents, but that I struggled mightily to complete. I don’t know what is up with me this year but I’ve REALLY struggled doing a lot of the things that I have managed easily in past years. Maybe I really am just intensely burned out.}

Christmas morning was a success. The kids got what they wanted: a Nintendo Switch and a Chromebook. We spent much of the day playing on the Switch, and I will say, all four of us racing on MarioKart is really fun. So far my son has managed losing with the grace we were hoping (but not expecting) he could manage.

Both kids also got one day of “unlimited play” and “15 hours” of additional play each to be redeemed during the break. They both seem to think that yesterday was their one day of unlimited play, and while that was not my intent, I have not yet contradicted them. I’m going to hold that in my back pocket and see if I need it later.

Tonight we’re going to our local amusement park’s winter celebration. My husband worked on Christmas Eve but he didn’t go in today, and he doesn’t usually get to come to the park with us because we don’t get him a season pass, but we all got an extra “bring a friend pass” for renewing early (thanks mom!) and I get to use mine today to bring him in. I actually love amusement parks, especially now that my daughter likes rollercoasters, so it should be fun. It will also be good to get out of the house.

Right now I’m working out because I needed desperately to shower (wearing long johns for 24 hours straight will make you feel… gross) so I thought I might as well get sweaty first. Later I’ll take the kids to the park behind the library for a couple hours to take advantage of the sun that is finally out, and then we’ll head down to the amusement park. Tomorrow I have a couple of play dates set up, and I plan to work on the house while my son is at his friend’s house and my daughter has someone over to hang out.

So far the break has felt doable but next week is when we have the opportunity to feel cabin fever. I have a few day trips planned (only mentally – I still need to commit and buy tickets), one being Muir Woods, which I tried to visit last Thanksgiving (2018) but couldn’t because of the fires (the park was closed due to poor air quality). I am also considering the Monterey Bay Aquarium, but that is a much bigger commitment, especially financially.

Let the break begin!