What’s next? What else is there to do other than clean up from the holidays. I’m not talking about the Christmas tree, that piece of greenery cost me a pretty penny so it stays up through New Year’s Day! I’m talking about finding a new space in the house or closet to put the new clothing or toys (so glad I’m out of that stage of finding space for the gigantic easy bake oven set or Home Depot play workshop), filling up our garbage cans with recycled bottles of Christmas cheer, breaking down boxes, storing unused bows or semi perfect condition ones for next year … you know stuff like that.

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Okay, now I cleaned up and the girls are home for a two week Christmas vacation and as usual I’m off to work. So I reiterate, what’s next? Well, what’s next is life goes back to normal, no more Christmas rush. Therefore, I made a list of what I can always count on as life goes on over winter school break.

1. My coffee black; because kids will go though milk like running water. Lots of cold cereal to be had in the morning for breakfast. Naturally they will not remember to tell you before you come home from work that we ran out of milk.

2. The light of day will begin the earliest at 10 a.m. for most teens; come to think of it make it noon.

3. The YMCA will open its doors every morning at 5 a.m. and I don’t expect to see the first kid through the door until 3 p.m.

4. There will be more wash over the next two vacation weeks at my house than what a Chinese laundry mat in San Francisco will accumulate.

5. The food bill will double. I can’t imagine what it is like to have teenage boys around the house, especially with teenage friends — big football type friends with vacation type appetites.

6. Easy Video this week will make a killing in rental sales. When all else fails with nothing to do; pop in a DVD.

7. At least three items will be returned during several trips to the mall.

8. My two are very active so they look forward to doing absolutely nothing; however the majority of parents will hear by day four of vacation, “I’m so bored, there is nothing to do on the island.” To think northern families spend masses amounts of money to enjoy what we can do daily on this beautiful island. Yeah right, explain that to a child!

9. There will be a massive amount of wasting water. Why? Kids don’t have to rush a shower in three minutes because they will not be late for school. Time to take those long; let the water splash on your head type showers. This is more of a teen thing; especially females. They need to play with all their bath things from the “Body Works” store.

10. And the last one? What else, the big count down until school begins. Good for you because you really are aching for them to get out of your house, out of your hair and busy doing school things with teachers, mentors, counselors, and coaches. Good for them because they need to get away from us which they consider “naggy” and complaining. Ha, what do they know, it’s only for their own good!

Well that’s a short list, want a long one. See me in week two. Happy winter vacation everyone!

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Gina Sisbarro-Blassneck resides on Marco Island and is the Senior Program Director at the Marco Island YMCA. Her passion is anything to do with kids; especially the teens. She enjoys directing theater and writing. She looks forward to publishing her first adult novel hopefully in print by the holidays. She has two teenagers Wesley and Brianna “Booey” which gives her the greatest joy in life!