I don't know if your house is anything like mine is right now or not, but here is what you will see if you took a peek inside our home:
Bored Cranky Kids.
Our Christmas tree. It is looking kind of sad though, and I really believe it is secretly sending me pleas to put it out of its' misery. (soon, tree, I promise.)
Abandoned Christmas cookie crumbs, forlorn candy-cane wrappers, dry pine needles and torn holiday wrapping paper hanging out on the living room floor.
A variety of lost game parts hiding in odd places, as well as neglected toys strewn about the family room'
And you would hear whining.
(that would be me.)
For us, there is a three-week winter break. Which means we are just starting the second week today and have another full week looming ahead.
The 'after holiday let-down' is a tough stretch to get through for parents. And kids.
But we will get through this stage, and emerge ready to start the new year with energy and eagerness.
So I tell myself.
So today I have been seeking out some activities that my kids can do so I can get busy taking down the tree and vacuuming the last remaining evidence of the holidays from our carpets.
Here are free printables, coloring pages and easy crafts for kids.
Martha Speaks Coloring Page (parents.com)
Super Why Coloring Pages (parents.com)
Mitten Sun-Catcher (Kaboose.com Plus so many more activities to find on this site!)
Free Printable Winter Word Search (activitiesforkids.com) (my 7-year-old found this one to be a big hit!)
free coloring printables at familyfun.go.com!
One more idea: Gather whatever pasta you have in your pantry, blank paper, and glue. Then let your kids create their own art masterpieces.
(This should keep them busy enough for you to get a couple of things done, anyway!)