Our extended Spring Intercession (we're on a year-round schedule, so our Spring Break isn't until May) has made me realize a few things:

1. I miss not having my kids around more. They can be a lot of help when they want to me. Case in point: I asked for help in straightening up the house today and the next thing I knew, not only was the house dusted, but my little fingerprint detectives had wiped off all the woodwork, all on their own initiative! Also, they treated Mama really well on her birthday (even if they decided that I needed to start celebrating at six in the morning!).

2.We all need some routine. We've had a pretty low key break, and quite frankly, we're all getting a little squirrely. When we resume homeschooling next year, long breaks will definitely be reserved for traveling and high-intensity social seasons (Christmas).

3. Even though we all need routine, mixing it up can be a good thing, too. We've enjoyed spontaneous rainy-day jaunts to the dollar theater ("Movie's starting in fifteen minutes, who can be ready in five?"), a last minute visit from Aunt Sarah (a bday gift on par with the iPod!), way too many unbalanced meals, and even some extra sleep (does 7am count as actually "sleeping in"?).

My younger dd informed me that it wasn't really Spring Break, "because we didn't go anywhere". She's lobbying for the Mouse House next time. We'll have to see....