Va-ca-tion: "Freedom or release from duty, business or activity"

That is how Webster defines a vacation. When you return home and you find you have had a nice break in your schedule, you have had freedom from the routine, you are ready to return to the everyday demands with new enthusiasm and strength.
Returning home requires sensitivity to your children and husband as well. Time spent together is wonderful, but coming home gives everyone their own sense of space again. Give your children time to unpack their treasures and display them. We always encouraged our kids to 'save before traveling; buy souvenirs wisely' and then come home and remember the fun by having the souvenirs a highlight in the their rooms or used as a centerpiece for a week when we returned. Normal schedules crowd out the memories so as a mom, make an effort to keep those memories alive abit longer.
I invested in rolls of film rather than buy souvenirs for myself. I would be busy for weeks after a vacation organizing and putting them into a scrapbook so we could relive our travels at anytime. Today, scrapbooking is so easy to do just remember to do it and don't get caught up in having it be a masterpiece, have it something the kids can get their hands on and share with friends.
From an early age, have your kids 'sign off' on the vacation. Either write their names in the scrapbook or write a short paragraph of what they thought was the most fun. If you have babies or toddlers, have them press a handprint or color a line or two, just to indicate their age and ability. This will be a fun measuring stick over the years. A family photo by the car or by your house before you leave is a good reminder as to what your family looked like and where you were living or what you were driving. In time, these photos are some of the best to look back and 'remember'.

Vacations, all good things must end. I hope these few postings will make this summer a time to remember for you and your family.