IS SUMMER OVER YET?

Bubby and I decided to take the kids on a summer vacation. Bubby is insistent on "creating family memories" through vacations for them. A few days after school let out, we loaded up the van with our four plus a cousin and headed to the Oregon coast for some adventures. Thousands of dollars later, we are back at home with "memories", a few broken shells and no new furniture. Summer vacation still has two months left with NOTHING planned.

I make this statement now and with utmost confidence.....WE WILL NEVER GO ON ANOTHER FAMILY VACATION IF IT SACRIFICES THE FINANCIAL ABILITY FOR THE CHILDREN TO BE INVOLVED IN SUMMER DAY CAMPS & PROJECTS.

There. I've said it. I am willing to sacrifice the happy memories of our children for some sanity.

My children flourish on routine. They want to move and keep moving during the summer and our local pool isn't cutting it. Oh sure, we have done art projects, went to the library, blah blah blah......but they are bored. Bored beyond belief.

What happens to children when they are bored? Sometimes creativity. I love those days. But most days they are beating the hell out of each other and torturing the toddler. I can't take much more of this.

Any suggestions? I'm wide open. I've been entertaining the idea of putting a outside lock on our basement door. We could play a game where if Mommy (the mean monster) catches you during a game of tag, she throws you in the basement (dungeon) and occasionally will slide food under the door. Oh, I know....it SOUNDS cruel but really it's not. They have toys, tv, xbox and a bathroom. It would only be for a couple of days. Really.........

Did I mention that because we spent thousands on our week long family vacation, we now have no money for house projects? We need new furniture...badly. We need repairs and new flooring in the basement.

I'm afraid we are becoming the white trash of Mayberry. Four kids, seven animals and a broken down Nova parked on our front lawn. That's not pretty people........