Oklahoma City family fun takes place in all kinds of weather and spring always seems full of possibilities.
"Can we go to the park?"
A small voice rings from the backseat of my car. Isaac is 3 and I field this question every day that it's sunny out.
"Not today. I'm busy and it's too cold to have Gabriel out there." The idea of holding a newborn on a metal bench while two boys kick gravel and struggle to keep their shoes tied doesn't appeal to me.
"We could run around where you can still see us while you stay in the car with the heat on and use your phone to work," reasons Sam, my second-grader.
"No. That wouldn't be okay either. We need to go home." My statement is final. It ends all discussion. Maybe next week. Another day. Soon.
Spring Break is almost here and we're ready for a change. Cold weather, snow days away from school and time inside with our family's new baby have had Sam and Isaac cooped up for awhile now. The forecast looks promising next week and I'm hoping we can take advantage of good weather to get out to some community events.
MetroFamily's Weekend Picks e-newsletter brings the metro's 10 best family events plus five for the next week to thousands of inboxes. Its popularity is proof that our family is like many others: busy but trying to keep everyone interested in what's going on around us. We try to pursue their individual interests as we go about raising kids that are connected to more than just Wiis and iPads. Our family is ready to turn off devices and go find fun this Spring Break.
Sure, there are other things we need to do like dentist appointments, school projects and the usual extracurricular activities. Altering the routine, though, has its merits. "Quality time" was the buzz term a few years ago. I think there's potential to make the most of the in-between moments when we're not doing anything in particular, like singing in the car or reading together. This quote was featured on MetroFamily's Facebook page last week:
“If I had my child to raise all over again,
I’d finger paint more, and point the finger less.
I’d do less correcting, and more connecting.
I’d take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes.
I would care to know less, and know to care more.
I’d take more hikes and fly more kites.
I’d stop playing serious, and seriously play.
I’d run through more fields, and gaze at more stars.
I’d do more hugging, and less tugging.
I would be firm less often, and affirm much more.
I’d build self esteem first, and the house later.
I’d teach less about the love of power, and more about the power of love.”
― Diane Loomans
It's difficult to be mindful of the bigger picture when you're piecing it together one day and one diaper change at a time. I'm pretty sure my kids would substitute "iPhone" for "watch" in that line about where I need to be looking. It's fair to say I am not good at living in the moment but I'm working on it and Spring Break is another opportunity.
Spring Break is also a good time to foster some dad and son time, in our case. My husband, Mario, teaches time-and-a-half; his schedule is typically full between a day job and night classes but school breaks are a reprieve. Whether I'm there or not, I know the boys will have a good time together.
Besides visiting the park, here are our can't-miss Spring Break activities:
- "Very Big Wiggle" Tour at Full Circle Bookstore
- St. Patrick's Day Plant and Eat Potatoes at Myriad Gardens' Children's Garden
- Splash Break at Oklahoma Aquarium
- Spring Celebration at Myriad Gardens
If you're looking for a day-by-day guide with suggestions for what to do during Spring Break, find our Editor's Picks for Daily Spring Break Inspiration. MetroFamily's full calendar of community events and activities is here too. Spring Break camps are also an important way to keep kids engaged and make sure they're cared for; find a list of local morning, afternoon and full-day camps here.
Not sure how to choose a venue? Participate in MetroFamily's Spring Fling Mystery Tour! Eight lucky winners will open their mystery envelope to find tickets to two of these venues:
Route 66 Museum
Stafford Air & Space Museum
Oklahoma WONDERtorium
Jasmine Moran Children's Museum
National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
Oklahoma Aquarium
Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum
Gaylord Pickens Museum
Oklahoma History Center
Enter to win before March 16 at 10 p.m.
If you know of a Spring Break activity that we should visit or include on MetroFamily's calendar, send it to callie@metrofamilymagazine.com.
See you around town!