It’s that time again; the end of the first half of the school year is upon us and school’s out for two weeks. School holidays are a funny thing and can stir up all sorts of thoughts for parents of school-aged children.
Yes! No more early morning scramble to get everyone out the door fed, dressed and packed for the day ahead.
Sleep in! (Yeah not me either, my children rise at between 6-7am every morning all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed!).
Thank god for vacation care, a god send for working parents.
What the heck are we going to do? Kids get bored and if left to their own devices for too long they can become squabbling, irritable little people. Or is that just my two?
My children both go to care during the school holidays so I can work, childcare for Miss E and vacation care at a local school for Master E. Miss E loves childcare so much, she now runs to her teachers in the morning for a hug and is eager to see her friends. They always have fun activities planned, holidays or not, so that takes some pressure off! Master E is a little more reluctant about care as it’s not at his usual school, but this time he’s excited about the activities planned and as it’s his second round of holidays there, he’s not as nervous. They have a day of robotics, computer programming and a trip to the movies to see The Incredibles 2 planned. I honestly value this service so much! I went to vacation care as a kid and loved it and I’m sure Master E will really enjoy himself too.
With work and care arranged, that gives us a few days each week to come up with some fun activities to do. I really want to make sure we spend some quality time together these holidays, it’s so easy to sit in front of the TV at home when it’s cold and wet outside but I’m going to make a conscious effort to do some fun stuff. So what else will we get up to? Both the kids really want to go camping but I think we might wait until it gets warmer and I have some more strength in my wrist (healing very well by the way!). With camping off the cards I asked them what else they would like to do these holidays and they both had lots of ideas. Miss E has requested a day at the Adelaide Botanic Gardens for a picnic lunch and Master E has suggested a trip to the Adelaide Zoo, which excited his little sister very much!
A previous visit to the Botanic Gardens. The tree-lined walkway planted in the 1800’s
Fun stuff doesn’t need to cost much money, I know a trip to the zoo can be pricey, but a packed lunch to the gardens or a playground is something my kids love and doesn’t cost more than petrol, perhaps parking or a train ticket. We will need to do a bit of school work these holidays to keep up the momentum Master E has gained recently in doing his sight words and reading; so I’m going to use the suggestions his teacher has given us to make it more game-like and fun. We’ve become avid illustrators and artists in this house so I’m sure there will be lots of drawing and colouring to be had and both E’s have expressed the desire to paint. Let’s see if I’m feeling adventurous enough to get the paints out and to deal with the inevitable mess that comes with them! I’m positive we’ll end up at a playground more than once in the next two weeks and we might head to the Wetlands Loop Trail for something different. We’ve been drawing on the little blackboard this morning and the plan is to make some scones with jam and cream later today so we can have a mini tea party which seemed like a popular suggestion.
Drawing with Miss E
I’m certainly not one of those mythical Pinterest/Instagram mummy’s that plans some wonderful adventure everyday or bakes with her children in an impossibly immaculately white kitchen (do these actually exist in real life I wonder?) but I am a Mum trying to make some fun memories for her kids. Hopefully by just giving a little thought, asking the kids for their input, making time and having some patience, I’ll be able to achieve that.
What are your plans for the school holidays?
Comments