Spring Breakers

Leo introduces Harry to the Best Movie Ever  (in Leo's mind).


Last night, after the babies were in bed and the big kids were pajamaed and drawing idyllically at the kitchen table, it dawned on me:

The kids start spring break tomorrow. No school. I don't have to make school lunches for ten days.

Let me repeat that: I DONT HAVE TO MAKE SCHOOL LUNCHES FOR THE NEXT TEN DAYS.

Now that's what I call spring break! My friend Cate says she thinks there's an episode of "Girls Gone Wild" that has to do with moms not making lunches and I'd believe it, because while it doesn't take me that long to do it at night, it's the knowing that my evening is that freed up. I can never truly relax when I have that monkey of Must Pack Lunches on my back. But with no lunches? Once Ellie is in bed (Erin usually puts Leo to bed), I'm a free woman! I can...oh I don't know...throw in a load of laundry! Organize a closet! Or watch "Smash" bad television, play Words With Friends and drink wine. You know, just hypothetically speaking.

The reason for the packed lunch respite is this the first year in the history of, ever that the kids haven't been in daycare during a school break. For the last few years, Ellie's preschool stayed open year round and ran a camp for school age kids during school holidays, which Leo always attended. Before that, Leo and Ellie were both in daycare.

I wish I could be home with the kids every day (well maybe not every day all day, ahem). But we're cobbling together some fun(ish) plans. Next week I'm bringing Ellie and Leo to work with me on separate days and I'll take a day off here and there where I can. There were some long faces and tears when I left this morning, but we rallied. And I guess at least Ellie recovered, because when I called to check on everyone at lunch Ellie asked me, "Can we, um, not be talking on the phone?"

Alrighty then.


Spring Break means playing outside in your pajamas on the first day that really "felt" like spring. In other news, I think it might be time for Ellie to get a real bike.

It's amazing how much fun can be had before 9 a.m.


They have the entire driveway and yet, here they sit, tush to tush.