You may know from some of my recent posts that we just got back from another trip to Disney World. Shades of Green (a resort for military families on Disney property and fantastic!)  had a deal too good to pass up. A friend and I took our boys…4 in total…..on a 3 night trip and let me tell you, if you are planning a trip to Disney and don’t want to wait in line….go in January!

Monorail to Epcot...we only had 3 other people in with us.. a nearly empty train!

I have been to Disney with the boys nine times now and we have visited during all times of the year. By far, the least crowded we have seen the parks has been the first of the year. Granted, you won’t be soaking up sun by the pool or hitting either of the water parks, but you WILL get to ride your favorites more than once and you won’t have to listen to the kids whine in line about how long it is taking. For those two reasons alone, it is a wonderful time to make the trip.

I am asked often by other moms about planning a visit to Disney since we go so often. I love to share what I know and the time of year to visit is one of the first things I share. It is easier to get on rides, make dining reservations and there are usually great deals on lodging during these low attendance times too.  For most kids and parents, a Disney trip is a once in a lifetime or a once in a blue moon experience. Why not go when you can relax and enjoy it more. It is great family time and a perfect place to make memories together.

Have you been to Disney at a great time? Share your tips

What do you think about part of your family going on one vacation and the rest on another?

I like to think of the holidays like a huge storm.  You know, the kind the news reporters hype up and tell us to prepare for.  We hurriedly go out and buy “emergency supplies” to be ready for it.  Then the storm comes and it is just that, a storm.  You either are prepared or not, but after it passes, it’s calm. The holidays really are like that: For months we try to select just the right gifts, decor, food menu, party plans, etc. Within hours it’s over. I feel like the calm after a storm.  However, it is a good feeling.

This year we tried not to get too caught up in hype.  We tried to focus on the reason for the celebration.  We tried to do more as a family.  We tried to serve and give more than receive. We were prepared.  Prepared not to listen to the hype, not to get caught in the holiday snares, not to forget how blessed we are as a nation, family and culture.

Even though the “big” gift giving holiday is over, the holidays still envelope us. We are still surrounded by our families, time, and gifts. My tween reminded me again of simplicity. We had gotten a MegaBall for the family for Christmas. It’s an ice cream maker that you roll around as a family…you can use it camping, as a game, it’s lightweight and doesn’t require electricity, etc. Weird gift, yes. However, when we asked our children what they would say was the best thing they did on holiday break so far, it was, “having a ‘ball’ making our own ice cream as a family.” It wasn’t all those expensive gifts, it wasn’t anything that anyone had asked for, it was an inexpensive gift and time together laughing, collecting snow since we ran out of ice for the outside and creating “the best ice cream Ben & Jerry’s ever saw.”

It made me realize that being calm, organized and prepared far outweighs all the hustle and bustle of not being prepared and stressed.  It was the quiet moments together reenacting the Christmas story, reading holiday books, drinking hot cocoa, watching films together and just the time spent, together.

What are some of your families favorite “after the storm” activities?

A couple of weekends ago we took a short trip to Asheville. We have lived here in eastern NC twice and we had not yet seen Biltmore…I decided it was time to go. As a bonus we were able to stay at the Grove Park Inn as members of the Disney Vacation Club (who knew that would be part of that deal!?) It was a much needed trip and we had a wonderful time.

The boys and I at Biltmore

Many of you already know that we have had some stress around my husband and his job. He was very undecided about his future plans and it had begun to really wear on me and our family. A couple of weeks ago he made a decision and that allowed us to finally relax a little. It just so happened that this new job security news came right before our trip west. That really allowed us to focus on having fun with each other and being ourselves again.

The Inn was beautiful, the tour of the house was great (candle light Christmas tour) and we even got some snow our last morning there. I had booked the trip months in advance before I had become so stressed and worn out over job issues. I really thought I might even need to cancel the trip just days before we were supposed to head out. I guess sometimes things happen when they do for a reason. We got some peace and the trip was saved. Sometimes time with those closest to us is all we really need to feel better and this trip was exactly that.

Have you ever taken a trip to just “get away” and relax? Where did you go?

Whether you are staying here, traveling somewhere exotic, visiting family or all of the above, tweens still need a routine.  My tween asked me several times over the weekend what our schedule was.  Here I was thinking of a break…non scheduled activities and spontaneous fun.  She wants to know what to expect and what kind of fun we will be doing.  Routines are important whether it’s daily school routines or holiday vacation.

Creating a routine for holiday break can be fun and not as structured.  We have decided to list a few things the kids would like to do, things they have to do (science project) and then things that Mom does when they are at school that they now need to help with. (cooking, cleaning, errands, etc.)  Together we will create daily schedules based on the health of all members home and the feeling.  Requirements…at least 2 pajama days for crafting, cooking and cleaning where we are not rushing around trying to do too much.

Rexanne Mancini states that, “routines are an ideal way to keep your family and children calm, secure and at ease with life’s variables.

Children will thrive with schedules that are easy to understand and accomplish, yet flexible enough to change if circumstances warrant. We do not want to rule our families with an iron fist, adhering to “the schedule” without compromise; however, good routines will keep your family organized and will establish an environment of tranquility for all family members.”

I also believe it helps children learn time management.

So, with two weeks with our kids at home and most scheduled activities on break as well, reconnect with your tweens and have fun with your routines!  Let each child make some decisions and choose what they would like to do.  Compromise with each other and have fun, it is vacation, right?!

What are some of your holiday vacation plans?  Have you created a holiday break routine yet?  How do you merge expectations, fun and tradition?