Brilliant … But Bouncy

So I Canceled the Road Trip.

Spring break is emotionally tough for me this year.

I keep thinking about it being Dylan’s last year, and that we didn’t plan anything, and that I barely see him when we’re at home.

I had planned an elaborate and detailed road trip, but the weather didn’t cooperate. So I canceled the road trip and decided just to have fun from home.

So we went horseback riding on Weekday 1 of spring break. It was the only thing from our road trip that I was really sorry we’d be missing. So we hopped in the car.

Within five minutes, Dylan and I were arguing. He had his earphones in, and could barely hear me. We grumped at each other for the entire 45-minute trip. I was astounded that I thought we could spend four days in the car together.

Dylan and I had gone horseback riding on a prior college road trip, and it was awesome. Shane had never been horseback riding before.

So we went and rode some horses through the woods. Both boys were great with their horses, and we all enjoyed the ride. Afterward, the kids played with a potbellied pig and a cat – both rescue animals on the horse farm. And while riding was fun, their interaction with the animals afterward may have been the best part.

On Weekday 2, I was tired from all the horseback riding (and driving) so our big adventure was a bit smaller. We went out for ice cream – but not just any ice cream. We tried a new place where they made the ice cream right in front of us by freezing it with liquid nitrogen. So we got to do a little experimenting with our ice cream.

By Weekday 3, I was exhausted. I was so glad we weren’t on a 900-mile road trip! I planned nothing.

Shane came downstairs and asked, first thing, “So, what are we doing today?”

“I have absolutely no plans,” I told him. “And I am happy with that.”

Shane wasn’t as happy. So I arranged for the two boys to have the house to themselves all evening, to do whatever they wanted to do. And then they had a “sleepover” in the room usually reserved for video games and instrumental music practice.

Today is Weekday 4. Shane is going out with his friend, and Dylan is having a friend over. Beyond chauffeuring kids, I am thrilled to do absolutely nothing today.

I am glad we didn’t go anywhere for spring break. I’ve had enough.