Winter Break-Why Bother?

Image courtesy: Steve Loya

I hate winter break. Why take a week off in February? We live in Rochester, not Miami. It makes no sense. Okay, I do know why. Back in the seventies the school district needed to save money on their heating bill, so they shut down the schools for a week . There was an oil crisis. But I still hate it.

Day One: Husband wakes up ill. Childcare, Child-feeding, Child-entertainment and containment left up to me. Six days until we leave for Splash Lagoon Water Park.

I hate winter break. I hate winter break.

Day Two: Husband worse. Big Bear has a friend come over in afternoon. Little Bear in tears; she wants her own friend. As soon as Little Bear's playdate arrives, Little Bear refuses to play with her. Can you say uncomfortable? Five days until we leave for Splash Lagoon.

I hate winter break. I hate winter break. I hate winter break


Image courtesy: Gwen

Day Three: Children go to dentist. Big Bear's lower baby tooth not moving out of the way for adult tooth. It has six months to leave before it's yanked. Husband goes to doctor with inflamed throat and receives a Strep test and penicillan. Four days until Splash Lagoon.

I hate winter break. I hate winter break. I hate winter break. I hate winter break. I hate winter break.

Day Four: Kids fight. In the middle of screaming and fisticuffs, I worry that Little Bear feels a tad hot. She has a fever. Splash Lagoon trip cancelled. Big Bear goes ballistic. Husband goes to work. Emergency Webkinz toys intended for gifts pulled out of closet. Happiness over new toys lasts one hour before next fight and subsequent time out.


Image courtesy: radiowire

I hate winter break. I hate winter break. I hate winter break. I hate winter break. I hate winter break. I hate winter break. I hate winter break.

Day Five: Little Bear's fever disappears. I vow to make the remaining days of Winter Break a fun-packed extravaganza. Movie time for Chipwrecked stated as 1:30 pm. Check. Kids stuffed in car a little behind schedule. Panic recheck of theater address. Chipwrecked no longer on schedule. @#&?! Deep breath. We go to bounce house. All goes better than expected until trip home. Big Bear feels sick. She has a temperature. So does Little Bear.

I hate winter break. I hate winter break. I hate winter break. I hate winter break. I hate winter break. I hate winter break. I hate winter break. I hate winter break.

Day Six: Big Bear's temperature reaches 102 degrees. Little Bear's is still under 100. We stay in, watch TV, and play board games.

I hate winter break. I hate winter break. I hate winter break. I hate winter break. I hate winter break. I hate winter break. I hate winter break. I hate winter break. I hate winter break. I hate winter break.

Day Seven: Both Bears feverish. Board games getting dull. I stock up with new books and DVDs from library.

I hate winter break. I hate winter break. I hate winter break. I hate winter break. I hate winter break. I hate winter break. I hate winter break. I hate winter break. I hate winter break. I hate winter break. I hate winter break.

Day Eight: Big Bear wakes up 5:30 a.m. crying with ear pain. Doctor prescribes ten-day course of amoxicillan. By 4 p.m. severe boredom sets in and we are reduced to playing patty-cake on the couch. Little Bear refuses to give Big Bear a 'turn' with mommy and pulls my hand back toward her face. I feel my thumbnail go into her eye. Little Bear shrieks. She won't open her eye. She can't open her eye. She's screaming that she can't see.

One Hour Later: The Immediate Care building is out of the dye that lets the doc examine corneal abrasions. He gives me an eye ointment to use for several days as a precaution. Oddly enough, I take comfort in the fact that I've done this before with a penguin in my zookeeping days. Little Bear asks for a Happy Meal for dinner, which she doesn't eat. But her eye is open and functioning. Whew!


Image courtesy: Simon DallAngelo

I put in Mr. Popper's Penguins from the library at her request and we all sit down to watch Jim Carrey and my favorite animals cavort. Except we can't. The last person to check out this DVD left us a pirated version of Rango instead. Little Bear hates Rango.

I HATE WINTER BREAK!!!!!

Day Nine: Both kids attend birthday parties at separate locations. They have a blast--until they get home and start fighting over their party favors.

Did I mention I hate winter break?