Sunday, March 30, 2008

Spring Break's over!

So this week was Sam's spring break. And what was the highlight? Um, let's see... was it the trip to Trader Joe's, or all the PBS Sam got to watch? Yeah, this year was not stellar as far as spring breaks go.

Next year, though, has promise. Sam has declared that he is going to Mexico with his daddy. And I'm trying to figure out if there's a way to get myself down there, too. :)

But back to spring break... it wasn't bad, really, to have all three kids home all week. The hard part is that it's not easy to get out of the house these days. Nate takes two naps, and his awake time of the day is usually during Levi's nap. So I tried to get out, but it didn't happen until after 3pm each day. This made for several days of not getting out of our pajamas until lunchtime or slightly before, and a 4 year old who was bouncing off the walls by the time we left the apartment.

We did, however, get in some good game-playing time, and I've realized that Sam has truly entered boyhood. The amount of thought and words spent on death, guns, shooting, and poop was surprising. The energy in his little body amazes me! And this scares me, because I realize that in 4 short years I'll have 3 of them. Full-fledged boys, that is. Not sure apartment living is going to do it for us by then.

So about spring break... I realized that spring break is great practice for summer. I am looking forward to it, but my conclusion is that I need a plan. Here are some of my ideas:
  • an outing planned each day, even if it's just to the park
  • take the boys out for a short walk before Nate's morning nap
  • schedule time to play with each child (i.e. while I play with Levi, Sam can play computer games; while Levi naps I'll play with Sam)
  • schedule mommy time - i.e. while the babies nap, Sam needs to find something to do by himself for half an hour or so so that I can veg for a few minutes.
  • have a list of special activities I can do with the boys that are a bit novel for them: try a new food (artichoke?), plant a seed and watch it grow each day, etc.
  • cook with them
  • check out classes with DC rec centers - they have options for preschoolers like gymnastics, swimming, art and music
  • schedule play dates

I'd love some more ideas, especially activities that we can do at home during Nate's many naps. Feel free to leave me some in the comments! :)

3 comments:

Unknown said...

you know those Webkinz toys you got our kids as gifts? Well, on the site are some cute craft ideas and simple/fun recipes relating to the animals . . . you don't even have to log in to view them ;-)

Any libraries near you? One could be an outing, plus new books to read as a result. Our library in Missouri also checked out computer games, kids' toys and puzzles, books on tape, and new (to us) movies/kid shows, etc. You might even indulge in a book for yourself for that "veg time" :-)

Miss you guys!

Jen said...

Thanks for the ideas, Kelly! I'll have to check out the webkinz website for those ideas -- we usually end up on the arcade when I get on with Sam. :)

As for the library, yes, we will make many trips. I should add it to my list, though, for future reference. We actually just went there today!

Hope you are well!

Mrs.Naz@BecomingMe said...

Hi Jen! I didn't know you had a blog. I'm so glad you commented at my site so I can find you. I also did not know you had three boys? Or did I just totally flake out and if that is so, please forgive me. I knew about Levi and of course Sam. Nate has got to be younger than Zayden, right?

Napp is hoping to get a position with Georgetown or American, so perhaps we'll be back in the DC area this fall...or maybe not. But Oxford is not an option. :-)