Day 29 - I miss spring break - Part 1

There are so many things about being a kid that I miss.  Playing outside all day every day.  Bike rides.  Rollerblading parties.  Recess.  Sleepovers.  TGIF.  Summer vacation!  I mean the list could go on and on.  But seeing as though this is now the end of March, and given the weather, I think it is safe to say that I miss spring break.  Spring break was the one thing that got you through January, February, and much of March.  Spring Break was the reason going back to school after winter vacation didn't suck so bad.  Now, being an adult, I don't have a spring break trip planned.  My next vacation day is the Friday before Memorial Day when I am hitting the beaches of Cancun for a much-needed couples vacation.

Spring break was awesome.  We had two hot spots that we would always go to.  For years we would go to my grandparent's condo in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.  It was right on the beach, and across the street from a McDonald's, so frankly, it was a kid's paradise.  I can still remember when McDonald's came out with their first Monopoly game ever.  I would beg my dad to take me to McDonald's every day just so I could collect my Monopoly pieces.  He would never given in because it "cost money" to have lunch at McDonald's and for those of you who know Dave, we didn't do much that cost money growing up (or so it seemed).  Of course, here I was thinking that he wouldn't spend money on me as I sit on the beach, while some of my friends were at home reading books for Spring Break.  Amazing how skewed your vision can be as a child.  Anyways, the usual residents in this high-rise condo were mostly snowbirds, and generally senior citizens.  But for one week in the spring, all of the families of all of the residents would convene in the building.  The beach would be filled with families enjoying a week away from school and the office.  It was perfection. 

The other spring break destination of our choice was Scottsdale, AZ, where my other grandparents live.  We would go there and spend a week with aunts and uncles and cousins.  Our family of five would share a bedroom - which worked fine until we were just too big to all share one little space, at which time Davey moved out into the family room.  The community pool was always open (never heated though).  There was never a schedule or a plan.  The oranges would grow on the tree, and grandma would cut them for us every morning.  We would get Krispy Kreme donuts (when Krispy Kreme was still around).  We would have Chompies bagels (which was quite the treat at the time).  We just sort of hung out for a week, spending time with family.  The picture above is exactly how life was like for a week.  Nothing but family time.  Go Bulls by the way (that's the emblem on my hat.  Awesome).

Looking back, spring break was literally the best week ever.  It was a much needed break from the routine of school.  It was a moment in time when the family was together - near or far - and we enjoyed (whether it felt that way at the time or not) each other's company.  Maybe that's the part I miss about Spring Break the most?  Spending quality time with my sisters and my cousins before life got complicated.  Alli, Julie, and Lauren - we need to plan a Spring Break together next year, you got that?!  I miss it.  I need it.