Yesterday the big kids had an elementary planning day at school. That means everyone was home, and bouncing off of the walls. I decided to use the day as a practice Spring break. I wanted to see what I am in for in the next few weeks.

Every Spring break is different as the kids get older. Some years it is cold and snowy during Spring break, others the weather is a bit kinder. Yesterday the weather was perfect, but the kids wern’t too happy.

Everyone was up early, way too early. They were wide awake at 6:30 a.m., which is way earlier than I can get them to wake up for school. Also boredom set in quickly. Agnes was bored with watching non-stop older brothers playing video games, and she wasn’t too happy about it.

By 9:00 a.m. I had ended many battles between the kids, and declared it was time to get out of the house.I had a few errands to run, and they needed a change of scenery.

We took some clothing to be donated, and made a run to the library. I thought the library would be a nice, and free spot to visit.

The kids picked out so many books. I think we came home with around forty books. We made it to checkout, and that’s when we were told that we needed the new library cards.

So to the upstairs we headed, and that’s when Agnes decided to bolt… She ran through the shelves, giggling, and yelling at mom, “you can’t catch me”. Finally I got her wrangled, and settled down, just as we were handed our new cards.

She seems to be running, and challenging me any place we go that happens to involve a checkout. Maybe it is just the fact that she is four, and she loves pushing mommy’s buttons.

Finally we were all checked out and the kids were still complaining… I needed to stop off for gas, so that was when I made them clean out the car. They wern’t too happy about the chore, but it needed done.

By lunchtime Dylan was bawling, and Agnes was mimicking Dylan’s bawling. Thade was complaining that lunch was taking too long, and yes, I was exhausted…

After lunch I had the boys go play upstairs for a bit. Agnes settled down, and enjoyed a little quiet. I enjoyed the few quiet moments too.

Snack-time soon arrived, and the weather was nice and warm outside. The kids went out to play for a bit, and I cleaned up around the house. They came back in covered from head to toe in dirt, as they had been busy making worm homes. A bath was definitely in order for the evening.

The day came to a close, and I was thankful when everyone finally was asleep for the night…

So what did I learn. Yep, I am in no way ready for Spring Break…

I need to stock the kitchen, come up with various “free to near-free” activities that aren’t too far away, and please please please weather please cooperate…

I have four days next week to get it done.