Spring Break: Wide Open Schedules

When I was growing up we hardly ever traveled anywhere for spring break. In fact, I don't recall anyone who did, except for maybe a road trip to visit a grandma. As a young child in south Texas what I recall about spring break is that it was a time to go to the local dime store and choose a few new toys and games to keep us occupied throughout the week.

We bought jump ropes, jacks, paddle balls, pick-up sticks, harmonicas and marbles. And sometimes, if I was lucky, my mom let me buy those cheap plastic high heels. Of course, several of these things usually broke pretty quickly.

The little, pink, bouncy ball stapled to the piece of rubber band that was stapled to the paddle almost always detached after only about 5 minutes of pounding the ball against the paddle. And those plastic heels; well, if I didn't sprain my ankle or get a deep, red, burning impression across the top of my feet from the tight elastic band holding the "shoes" on, the cheap plastic would break in half by day two.

At some point, my mom, brother and I would play Monopoly, which always ended the same way time after time, year after year; arguing, tears and money being thrown at someone. Honestly, it was generally me who threw the money at my brother, the great hotel mogul. And yet, we would play it once more and my brother and I would promise we wouldn't get upset with each other, but we always did.

Spring break was a time to sleep in, play for long hours and stay up late. Schedules were relaxed and time seemed to slow to a crawl. We went bowling, watched movies and ate at our favorite burger place for lunch. As a child, spring break felt like it lasted for much longer than a week.

My favorite part of any holiday has always been the start of it. All those free days with no obligations; no deadlines; no morning rushes out the door spread out before me. Each day full of possibility; days open to the spontaneity of sudden inspiration; and days that allow for lazing about and doing absolutely nothing.

This is spring break to me. So, as we begin a new chapter of spring breaks with our kindergartener, I'm excited to take a week out of our normal, busy schedules for play, adventure and folly. And I'm leaving our schedule wide open for those impromptu moments that will almost certainly be our favorite memories. Over and out...

Anna

Comments

[TLM]

Sounds wonderful!! Enjoy each other and may your time be filled with laughter and good memories and nice "warm" days!