Tradition!

{cue Fiddler on the Roof soundtrack}

As is tradition at our house, spring break begins with a list making ceremony wherein the children detail things they wish to do during their two week hiatus from math, social studies and a daily peanut butter sandwich. As is also tradition, their lists include Disneyland, trips to foreign countries and the purchase of expensive gaming equipment. While we don't promise to do everything on the list, we try to do as many as reasonable so at the end of 14 days, when they complain they didn't get to do anything fun, I whip out the document and prove them wrong (also a beloved family tradition).

This year, we crammed spring training baseball, swimming, movies, playdates, Build-a-Bear Workshop, multiple trips to the mall, a light rail extravaganza, the Renaissance Festival and a heart attack (no lie!) into that short break. I'm also proud to say, I took them on a little outdoor adventure ALL BY MYSELF. Sir William wasn't able to break away from work to join us, so I put on a brave face and did what felt natural. I brought a back up.

All in all, it was my kind of campout. During the ride home, The Squire passed around beef jerky while Lady May cuddled a stuffed panda she had 'brought to life' earlier in the week. They gnawed on their treats letting the quiet following a satisfying family excursion settle in. We drove along in silence for a few blissful minutes until The Squire turned to his sister and broke the spell:

You know that jerky is panda meat, right?

Sigh...

It's tradition.