Spring break, Katie-style

This week has been wonderful. Joe took off Monday through Wednesday and we've had some good old-fashioned family time.

This is our version of spring break: 

Six movies from the library. 

Jimmy John's. 

Driving around looking for dream homes. 

Cafe Patachou. 

Drooling over marble at tile store. 

Disappointment at Border's store-closing sale. (Since when is 10-20 percent off an exciting sale?) 

Everything pretzels with cheese dip from the best pretzel shop.

Laying on the couch, watching six movies. 

Finishing Castle, season two. (Tear.)

Then Joe went back to work today and it was Mommy and Madeline's Day of Fun. I let her decide whatever she wanted to do.

It started with me half-sleeping in bed when she came in and asked to turn on PBS. Then she wanted to get breakfast all by herself. I asked what she would get because this has never happened before and she said me, "Raisins and string cheese."

Well, OK then. So she ate raisins and string cheese in my bed while watching Curious George and I drifted back to sleep. Then she asked to watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse in my bed.

I had no idea how exciting it was to watch TV in the big bed. Apparently it's a mini Disney World to her.

I asked her what else she wanted to do today and emphasized that we could do anything. She picked Chick-Fil-A, Target and The Children's Museum.

I have to say, I love her taste. Sounds like a great day to me too. (She might have learned from the master.)

The day was pretty perfect. I got diet lemonade at Chick-Fil-A while Madeline played in the kids area. I ran into Katy and listened to her gorgeous Southern drawl for not long enough.

We headed to Target because Madeline requested their $3 kids' meals. It's mac and cheese and apples and caramel but that's not why she likes it. She's a sucker for the blue raspberry Icee with a purple crazy straw. 

Then we perused the toys section F.O.R.E.V.E.R Seriously, that kid could live in the princess aisle and never miss her bed.

We finally, finally headed to The Children's Museum. As soon as we turned the corner onto Capital and I saw the parking garage sign flashing FULL, my heart sank.

It's spring break. The museum would be a mad house. As we drove up and down each outdoor parking lane, I tried to convince Madeline to go somewhere else. Anywhere else. She was near tears when I suggested this.

So we headed in. Into chaos.

After about 30 minutes, I crouched down, looked Madeline in the eye and did something I've never done before. 

I totally bribed her. 

I offered to buy her a Burger King ice cream cone if we could leave right away. (Yes, it really was that bad, folks.)

She gleefully said yes and we walked out immediately. 

Oh my stars, that was the best 89 cents I've spent in a long time.

Despite that one unfortunate museum visit, everything else has been perfect. Now that I see this wrap-up in writing, I think I'm pretty easy.

Give me my family and food I didn't have to cook and I'm one happy lady. That's a vacation to me.