STAYCATION – A Blog, A Magazine. It's JustsumInspiration!

Featured Image Courtesy of: Pexen Design from Pexels

Spring has sprung and it seems like the weather is sort of cooperating – sort of. And while the weather is figuring out what it really wants to do, there is one thing that is happening right now, regardless of whether mother nature decides to cooperate or not and that’s SPRING BREAK!!!!! That means yes, if you have children small or tall, young or older – it’s Easter week in which means, kids will be getting out of school and hanging around the house for a week….OH BOY!!

That means my fridge will be confiscated the entire week and while it has food in it right now by the end of spring break it’s going to look like someone held it up in a robbery (no pun intended), the fridge is not the only thing that will be robbed, your sanity will too by the end of the week…hehehe…it’s so true!

It’s hard to try and find something for the kids to do for a full week, especially if you’re working while they’re at home (that’s if you have teenagers that is) and even at that, it can get pretty costly leaving kids at a camp or etc for a week, most camps are costing nearly $160.00 (Yes, for a week only!!) I don’t know about you, but I don’t have that type of money to give….instead, you can take that money and plan some trips outdoors or inside.

So, let me give you a couple of tips that will help get the kids out of the house. At least for a little while, for the fridge’s sake!

When was the Last Time You Went for a SWING!

A couple of weeks ago, my daughter (an aspiring photo journalist) wanted to get out of the house and go take pictures. While I didn’t want to do it, because I was comfortable in my bed. I got up and went to take her and my son out and boy was I glad I did. We went to a trail and walked around, ran a little and talked. After that we went to a local park where they had a playground and I have to say, I had SOOO much fun. We swung, went down the slide, they even had a merry-go-round and a hang glider! in which I fell off of…lol. Pictures I wish my daughter hadn’t taken, but we had fun and guess what – it didn’t cost a thing!! The only out of pocket money I spent was getting them something off the dollar menu at the Burger King. So, this spring break? Get out and go for a swing, my kids are teens and they thoroughly enjoyed themselves, I’m actually thinking about doing it again.

Picnic in the Park

Now for the working parents, such as myself. I know this may be a bit hard to do because all bosses are not created equal. However, if you have a boss that let’s you off work early, use that time to have a picnic at the park with the kids. They’ll be excited and surprised that you took off to spend a day with them, if the weather is not so great. Then you can always go to a nice restaurant and maybe catch a matinee’ – see how that week camp money can be used??

Puppet Shows are NOT just for small kids

When I was about 8 yrs old, my mom made me a puppet out of a paper sack. She brought him alive by her imagination and quirky voice sounds and I loved it. I forgot what I named it, but I remember it. That’s what Spring Break is all about, memories! My mom didn’t have a lot of money and she had 3 small girls that she took care of, I remember when we couldn’t go outside, she would always come up with things for us to do inside the house. We played water guns, hide and seek and she even made an obstacle course one time for us to do. I just remember it being so fun until I didn’t realize the weather outside was bad, I just remember how the weather on the inside felt – SUNNY!

So get those creative juices going!! You can do it!

What’s Downtown?

Every city and county has a downtown. To me, downtown is where the REAL history is. I love visiting art galleries and old unique shops. There’s usually plenty of things downtown that either yourself or the kids can do! My favorite place in downtown New Bern, NC is the Cow Cafe and the Bear City Fudge Company. You can get some good ice cream and some good chocolate as well as old fashioned candy. I also love the Bakers Kitchen, it’s an Amish restaurant that serves up the best food I’ve ever tasted, hands down!! There’s a waterfront and museums. You see?, there’s a lot going on downtown that I’m sure you, the kids or the family can enjoy! Have you checked out your downtown lately?

Board Games, Scavenger Hunts & Food

Yes, I’m a foodie so I had to put food in the title – those close to me already know..lol. Who doesn’t love a good board game such as Monopoly, Chutes and Ladders, Jenga, Uno! If you’re a parent who doesn’t or can’t get off work, the day is still young and these are things you can do while the kids are out as a family. You can also scavenger hunt, pick out about 10 unique things, write them down and hang them up for everyone to see and let the games begin. You can offer a prize for the one that got the most things – you can also use this time to cook up something good together or just order a pizza. Whatever you do, it’ll be memorable and fun.

Well, that’s it! I hope you have a wonderful spring break and a very happy Easter! Have fun, make memories and let’s remember the real reason for celebrating this week and that’s Jesus Christ!

Next week, I’ll have tips for the parents on how to stay sane during Spring Break. Hey, we need some alone time and a break too! =)

Photo by i love simple beyond from Pexels

The summer is the most expected and beautiful time of the year. After braving through winter and tip-toeing by Spring, when the end of May and June gets here – You feel as if you can finally breathe and take down those packed up summer dresses/clothes and flat/opened toe shoes you’ve been dying to wear.

It’s also the time of year in which makes you want to hit the road and visit the beach or other places, maybe places you’ve never been before. The sun and breeze of summer makes you want to spend every single day outside, doing something. While most people may not always have it like that to travel to the places of their dreams – they choose to stay local and enjoy the sights of their own neighborhood and city. I’ve had a couple of summers in which I took a vacation only to “stay” at home. Yes, I desired to go someplace but didn’t quite have the plan nor the funds to do it. So I made my week a “Staycation” – If you’re like me and maybe don’t have the funds to travel to your favorite destination – Here are a couple of quick tips you can do to make that staycation a vacation..

Hotels Here I Come – Have you ever felt like you’ve wanted to go somewhere else outside of the walls you constantly see everyday? Why not stay in a hotel “in town” it’s a cheap way to get away and look at other walls outside of your own. You can order room service and just enjoy the sights of being in a fresh new place. No Clean Up required as someone will do that for you.
My Hometown is Awesome – How about yours? The thing is, we live in cities that a lot of times we don’t know anything about, such as it’s history or foundation. Most towns have museums or you can go to the civic center and they will have loads of information about your town that you probably didn’t know about. You can take a day and explore what your town/city has to offer or what events are scheduled for that particular day or month.
Alone Time – If you’re like me, sometimes you need some downtown from the hustle and bustle of your regular day. Take a day and just lounge around the house (no electronics, if possible) and just watch movies, pig out on your favorite foods, crochet (in which I don’t know how to do, but a friend of mine swears by it. According to them it’s very relaxing. Tried it, wasn’t for me..lol) or come up with some other craft. Take the day and just unwind, relax your mind and your body.

Okay, so maybe the whole STAYCATION idea was not what you were wanting to hear….

And you really want to get out of the house and hit the road. Listed below is a link to 17 of the worlds best affordable vacation destinations that I feel you and your family, girlfriends or best buddies would love to travel too. Check it out as one of the destinations just may be the next photos to grace your phone or family album.

17 Best Affordable Destinations in the USA – For the Family

This link is not only your guide to the best destinations in which include San Antonio, Texas; Las Vegas, Nevada; Tucson, Arizona; Memphis, TN and quite a few more. but this list also gives you hotel suggestions for lodging, cheap flights to get you there and even a list of things to do while you are vacationing. So if you have the time, a little cash and a plan then one of these vacation, destination trips just may do the trick for your summer fix.

Whether you decide to STAYCATION or VACATION during your time off or away, make sure you have fun, be safe and make plenty of memories!