My kids get two weeks off from school and they think it’s a vacation. Well, it’s a vacation to them. It’s not always a vacation to me. Let me just list for you the things that change during these so-called vacations:
1. Paper towels/toilet paper/tissue usage: I thought as they got older, there would be less cleaning up to do. I was wrong! Plus, how much toilet paper can one kid use? Geeze!
2. Garbage bags: Same as above. Where did all this stuff come from?
3. Electrical bill: I have to believe that my electrical bill goes up on holidays. The TV is on so much that I hear it even when it is off! Lights are left on. Chargers are plugged in and charging phones, iPods and the like.
4. Food: OMG. It is cheaper for me to pay school tuition then to feed these guys everyday! You have no idea how much food is going in and out of my house each and every hour of each and every day.
5. Driving: Why can’t they coordinate where they want to go and when? I’ve, obviously, increased my gas (and personal alcohol) usage as well!
6. Laundry: I can’t even talk about the amount of laundry. I have a stomach ache.
7. Phone calls: Even when I do get into the office, I just keep getting phone calls. “Where is ____?” “Can you drive me to _____?” What the heck? Can’t the TV entertain them when I am gone (see 3 above)?
8. Junk everywhere: What happened to loading their dishes in the dishwasher or picking up their games, news papers, magazines, etc.? Why do they seem cleaner during the school year? Oh, I know … because they are not here!
9. I can’t find my _____: Let me tell you how many things have been lost in the last two weeks: a new GB Packer hat (lost after one day), a phone charger, a phone (not the same one as the phone charger), i Tunes cards, clothes, etc., etc. Maybe this is why # 2 is such an issue!
10. More relaxing fun: I do think there is something nice about getting up in the morning and not having to rush to school. We have a homemade breakfast almost every morning and I don’t have to yell once about staying on task and getting ready for school. I also get a lot of time with the kids, which I do love.
I know someday I will long for these days, and I did love them for the first week and 1/2, but I think it is time to give them back to those loving teachers. Today is the last regular day of break and while they are a bit melancholy, I think I can relieve that with a fun lunch downtown and a movie (or two)!
Have a great start to your weekend.
theyearof50 