Going into Spring Break this year I was VERY intimidated. I was staring down two weeks with all three kids home…and basically no plans. It had the potential to be great, and it had the potential to be a disaster by day 2.
I made a choice to use social media to help me this year. Since I was off Facebook for Lent, I turned to Instagram and vowed to myself to post one picture everyday of what we were doing. My intention and hope was to mindfully focus my gaze, my energy, and my memory on the little/fun/beautiful/silly/simple moments.
And you know what? As ridiculous as it may sound, the act of taking/picking/posting/looking back at a photo each day REALLY helped me. I would look through my Spring Break photos and feel encouraged that despite the challenges and exhaustion (plenty of both every day), I was doing it, we were doing it, and we were having a great time. Instagram honestly helped me to focus on the fun and feel proud of what I was doing with my kiddos each day. So here is an Instagram glimpse of Spring Break.
Day 1: Craft Time.
As my friend Amanda said, "Aren't you setting the bar a little high here? Organized activity on day 1?"
HA! Very true.
HA! Very true.
Day 2: Fresh off new haircuts, we brought scooters to a favorite local park.
Between races and the roly-polies, we had a good morning.
Day 3: I got a sitter for Hannah and we brought a friend to see Cinderella (with the dolls, of course).
Day 4: It was "Watch Week" at Abby's dance class so we got to see them sing Happy Birthday to her.
Day 5: We went to a Good Friday service at church.
Day 5 Bonus: This was simply too cute not to post. Hannah does this every time Chris mows the yard.
Day 6: Abby's birthday wish was a trip to Legoland (her first).
Hannah stayed back with Grandma and Grandpa. Win-win.
Day 7: Happy Easter. Happy 5th birthday to Abby.
Day 7 Bonus: First successful family photo in a LONG time.
Day 8: Birthday playdate for Abby with two friends.
Day 9: A trashed house. Watching the new Annie movie (for the second time).
Day 10: "The jumpy" came in handy this break.
Day 11: The big girls got to do a 3-morning art camp in the neighborhood.
Day 12: We got ambitious and met friends at the Safari Park.
Day 13: We did the Compassion Experience. This is Samantha in a Kenyan classroom.
Day 14: They love this hot tub.
And we did it. 14 days. It was a simple and AWESOME Spring Break.
