TGIF!  For me, it’s the Friday before “vacation”.  However, I am not going on vacation, I am taking a “staycation”.

I’m a bit of a homebody.  I don’t like hotels.  I don’t like the beach.  Most vacations include these two subjects.  So next week, I will be “vacationing”, yet sleeping in my own Tempurpedic bed rather than some crappy springy bed in a cottage or a hard hotel bed. 

However, we have some plans. 

Mystic Seaport.  http://www.mysticseaport.org  

Kids get in free on Monday, so that’s a no-brainer.  We’ll pack a picnic lunch and spend the day touring and playing.

Old Sturbridge Village.  http://www.osv.org

This is one of Alli’s favorite places to visit.  A few years ago, when Mike and I had just started dating, we took the girls here.  Alli was chosen by the Blacksmith as his Apprentice, and ever since then, “Blacksmith” has been in her list of things she wants to be when she grows up… including an Author, Teacher, Dance Instructor, Lawyer and several other random professions. 

New York City. 

We’re planning to visit American Girl Place, Hard Rock Café, The Children’s Museum of Manhattan and doing a little bit of purse shopping on Canal Street.

I’d love to make it to Boston also.  Boston is my favorite city in the world. 

My staycation is also going to include one day of chores.  Alli’s room needs on overhaul.  We are going to gut dressers and her closet, move furniture and reorganize.  Molly plans on inviting a friend over for a play date while Alli and I attack this annual chore.

So the next time you need a vacation, and either have no where to go, no desire to go anywhere or not enough money for that Caribbean Cruise or Dream Disney Vacation, take a look locally.  I suspect that I will return to work on August 4th more rested than if I took a “vacation”.