Posting was unusually sporadic last week - I was rather sick and more than a bit uninspired. We have been sick SO much this winter, with at least one family member being ailing every day since January first, and apparently we're not alone in our cooties-covered condition - several families in town have told me the same thing, that they've been endlessly sick since Christmas - but even with that knowledge I'm feeling more than a bit smote. Smoted. Besmited.
I had made careful plans last night for school today, with The Boy being declared well enough to go, even though he was pale and with a deep, Edgar Allan Poe-style cough, and just now, as he was eating his hearty breakfast (waffles - the TOASTER KIND because I AM SICK and a chocolate banana milkshake*) my mom phoned and said that the school buses were canceled and I just about burst into tears, which is what makes me suspect that I might not be a good homeschooler, although I've been toying with the idea of building a giant bubble over my house to keep the germs out. Germs and Bratz.
(*do your kids like milkshakes and fruit smoothies as much as mine? A good blender and some fruit and there's a part of your healthy breakfast, as those ads for cereals made entirely out of sugar say.)
It's March break at the end of this week. One of the things I have to do today in between stealing a few naps and lethargically doing some tidying is to make a list of fun things to do next week - although I feel a bit like it's an exercise in hubris, since someone has ended up in the hospital every March break for the past two years, me in 2006, The Baby in 2007, and some superstitious part of me just wants to hunker down with a giant bottle of Vitamin C and some antibacterial handwash. But the list of good times must be made because we might be well, might have some good times ahead of us in our near future after all.
So that's what I'm up to today - next week, I'll post my playdough, watercolour and fingerpaint recipes (all very, very easy), just in time for March break. I'm drawing a bit of a blank as far as other ideas go, though - what are your ideas for keeping kids busy and happy over the March Break?
We'll be taking an 11 hour flight and moving to a new continent. Figure it'll keep 'em busy.
Mastermind has a craft sale going on this month so I'll be hitting them up for some ideas. Plus I've scheduled all kinds of doctor/dentist appointments so Sarah didn't have to miss school so we'll be out and about though not necessarily having fun ;)
We got a face painting book one year and a separate set of face crayons. Every day for a week my kids and the neighbor boy had entirely new personalities based on what their faces looked like (the instructions in the book--from Klutz--allowed this non-artist to create a convincing tiger, butterfly, puppy, etc.).
no March break here, except for the long weekend at Easter. We'll go to my mother's house -where she who never sits will keep them all busy and we can sleep in for two whole days before driving 6 hours home. We should really live closer to her.
We did get through our February vacation by begging my father to come, which is an excellent choice in the coldest month because he does not object to multiple games of battleship, the way I do.
April vacation is just a little whimsical dream right now, about which I try to do deep breathing exercises, so great is my hope that the weather will be okay and we can get out of this house - this house that now contains a trampoline! Ack! Stay healthy, Beck! Also, you have a paint recipe?
We don't do a March Break. Spring Break here falls in April. Over a month away. Please get well soon!!!! And let me know when your package arrives. I have no idea how long it takes to mail from the US to Canada, but I sent it out last Wednesday.
March break is on the 17th for us. It should be lovely and warm here then, so we'll do park things and visit people and such.
I'm sorry you guys have been so sick. It is so draining. I'm crossing my fingers that THIS year the smiting is lifted. That's my singular '08 resolution...no hospitalizations!
My two school-age kids will be heading off to Camp Grandma and Grandpa's. Five days of undivided attention , skating, swimming, baking... they can't wait!
We are going to Collingwood to enjoy. Yeah. More f'ing snow. But there is a pool. We have never gone away for March Break so it will be a novelty. Usually we hang around and do not much which is a beautiful thing. I love your idea for the smoothie/shake for breakfast. Must try it.
thanks for mentioning smoothies - it reminded me I had stashed some yogurt in my purse and I need to put it in the fridge!
Hopefully spring will arrive soon (it isn't here yet either) and you will be through with all the sickness!
We are sick over here too. It doesn't help that we are getting another 3 inches of snow today. I feel like I am sinking into the abyss of depression in this sickness and weather. Bah.
I was able to send Joey out to school today with a pillow, dressed in red and white, and a Dr. Seuss book to celebrate Dr. Seuss' bday at school. Sounds like fun.
Hope you all feel better and get a long reprieve from all the sickies. Hang in there!
The Edgar Allen Poe cough is lingering around here too. I hope you are all healthy for next week.
I'm sending my kids to grandmas for the first day of March Break. We have no plans for the following week but I'm thinking vaguely of taking them to a movie at some point and giving into their every whim and desire for the rest of the week because I'm exhausted to the core today. Perhaps tomorrow I will feel more inspired.
Okay--you and Andrea, the Flourishing Mother--are both conspiring against me in the breakfast realm.
What if I say encouraging me instead of conspiring against me?
Smoothies are a great idea. We were all over them for a while, and I haven't been.
We just finished a week off from school. I took the kids to my parents' for a few days. Other than that it was bedroom cleaning and thorough basement cleaning. I'm a FUN mom!
We are going to keep busy this March Break...I have set up a few play dates and our library and even the mall have lots of free activities.
Toaster waffles...for shame! Ha. My girls eat them just about EVERY morning.
feel better soon--spring is "just around the corner."
It is hot here today (60 F) which is a sure sign that it will snow on Easter.
Hope things improve for your family.
Rest during the break! Keep the kids home, and don't do anything. You'll all love it!
:)
Our spring break is in March, the week before Easter, and everything is canceled--school, gymnastics, and church group (on the Wednesday night, not Easter Sunday!) so the week is empty. I think we are going to visit my husband's family, 6.5 hours away, so he can finish the remodel of my m-i-l's house and the kids can play with their cousins. Me...I'll read and surf the net. After about 3 days I feel like I'm climbing the walls, but I'll live.
I am just so hoping your march break this year involves no hospitals.
i'd love to see those craft recipes. hope you're all well throughout the break. we've had a sickly winter too and it's so draining. the 12 degree weather today and sunshine had us outside - the look of my son's face as he pulled his bike out of the garage was priceless. for our break, i was hoping to go to Great Wolf Lodge for a couple of days, but decided against it with only 4 more weeks to go of my pregnancy. so, we're going to have some toronto adventures - cn tower, science center, play dates, crafts at home, and maybe a movie.
I'd like that bubble for germs and bratz. That made me laugh...
When Jack was 2 I had him in a "preschool" 2 mornings a week because a friend of mine was his teacher. The next year we were homeschooling and I signed him up for a couple of mornings again, but then I could NOT make myself take him - everyone was WELL! I just knew if I took him, he'd get "a germ" and then we all know how that goes. But I kept thinking, "next week," or "after the holidays." I finally just called and withdrew after paying several months of tuition!
Oh, the vast network of deep thoughts involved in such a decision. :) Just call me "scaredy mommy."
The Ed.Allen Poe cough was here for a while, too - it DOES take a long time to go away, so don't worry too much yet. Eventually it ran its course, but it's a tough little bug. Hope he's all well soon.
I am banning your family from needing a hospital stay this March break.
chocolate banana milkshake .... mmmmm
I'm past the March break stage, so have no ideas for what to do with kids. Here in our city, they are fighting about whether to reopen some outdoor skating rinks for them. Me, I just think about keeping warm and hoping to see spring soon! Hope you all have a fun and healthy week whatever you do!!!