Vacation Imagination
So, it’s February 2nd, Groundhog’s Day. As much as I wish that little “furry-squirrel-like-animal” could give the end of Winter a due date, I know it’s going to be a good, long time. But, alas, Winter Vacation is only mere days away and while I still work during vacation week, I usually find time for a few days of frolic with my family.
Last February I posted several ideas for inexpensive February vacation activities. February vacation is so tough – the financial reserves aren’t stocked again after the holiday spend-fest, and it’s COLD OUTSIDE. At least it is here. I’m not a fan of being cold, so if I’m going out into the Arctic, I need to be well entertained.
Last year, I wrote about:
Snowfire: a bonfire party in the snow
WinterParty: a birthday party without the birthday part
Scavenger: a family scavenger hunt around town
Geocaching: find a geo-bug, hide it and watch it move around the world.
This year, I have new ideas. Yes, new ideas. Well, what good would I be if I couldn’t come up with something new now and then?
I am fortunate to live in a neighborhood filled with people I like very much, with lots of kids in the same age range. We gather frequently in the warmer months for impromptu barbecues, bonfires, and bring-your-owns. But once the afternoons go dark and the air gets cold, we hibernate and don’t see each other except at the bus stop occasionally, or by chance meeting in the grocery store. It’s quite pathetic, really.
If you’re in the same neighborly boat, here’s a way to get ‘em all together again to celebrate the season that isn’t usually the season.
A Neighborly Fete
Gather your neighbors and their kids for an afternoon of culinary-school-at-home and a feast with friends in the evening.
Bring the adults together (at least via Facebook, or by email, if not in person!) and plan a menu with 3-4 dishes that will feed all of the participating families combined: salad/appetizer, main dish, dessert. Keep it simple, but make sure it’s yummy and hearty! Lasagna, spaghetti, homemade pizza, chili, stew might be good possibilities.
Divide the kids into even groups with mixed ages and culinary skills. Assign a house and a menu item for each group.
Each group will spend a couple of hours at one of your homes (each group at a different house) cooking their assigned menu item with the help and supervision of one or two adults. Be sure each child gets to get into the mix, using skills they are capable of, learning new skills and sharing what they know with each other. Remember, each group is cooking only one menu item, but enough for all of the family members from all families involved.
When the cooking is all done and the non-stay-at-homers are home from work, gather together at one house and have your Neighborly Fete. All the adults and all the kids, enjoying the spoils of their labors, talking about their fun in the kitchen, who spilled what, how that burned and that didn’t, why so-and-so’s house now smells like a big dish of salsa…and how delicious all the food is.
More vacation ideas to come this week. Stay tuned Punxsatawnies.
Tags: Just thinking..., Out and About
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