In years past, Spring Break was a challenge to manage. The whining, the requests, the negotiation – does any of this sound familiar? It's day two of Spring Break and all is still going well, and according to plan. That's right, this year there was a plan that included clarity, down time, and even a little planned chaos. Here's what I planned:
Monday is Wash day, Tuesday is Folding day, Wednesday is Market day, Thursday is Sewing Day, Friday is Cleaning Day, Saturday is Baking Day, and Sunday is for Rest and Play. So there's the Keeping Simple part of it all.
Keeping Short was a little more tricky and required a lot more creativity. Keeping it short meant to balance tasks between what could be done with the girls and what could be done while the girls were entertained and feeling included. If you follow the idea of Rudolf Steiner or Kim John Payne, balancing in-breathing tasks with those that are out-breathing.
For instance, on Monday while they were still sleeping, I was able to put in a load (Monday is Wash Day), then corral sand toys, bike helmets, lunch and water bottles to have at the ready for later in the day. After the girls were awake, with breakfast in their tummies, and ready to roll around 9am, we went for a walk, a really long one. With a plan. Favorite walks here are taking photos of things to paint at a later point in the week; collecting twigs, moss, pine cones and pine needles to build a fairy house; or with a sack to collect stray trash around the neighborhood. After collecting fairy house supplies, we went home and made milkshakes, which is an activity they both love and a snack too! While they were chatting over milkshakes about what to build, I put another load in the wash, packed up the wagon and away we went to the park for lunch and play.
It's a snapshot I keep reminding myself, but Tuesday is mostly over and it's still working. Not much whining, requesting, or negotiation. Having a plan makes them pretty happy methinks. Even if it really looks like we have no plan. E's favorite milkshake instructions at the bottom.
Milkshakes
1 banana
1 ½ cups juice
1 cup plain whole milk yogurt
1 heaping tablespoon peanut butter
1 tablespoon honey
2 cups frozen berries
¼ cup protein powder
Put banana, yogurt, juice, peanut butter, and honey in blender. Attach lid and blend on high. While blending, add berries and powder and blend well. Makes about four 6oz. servings. Yum!
