Spring Break Staycation 2026

Our week at home was our first time actually relaxing since Baby Henry was born 7 months ago. Jer and I both felt closer to our kids, doing the things we used to love to do again like hiking, cooking together, and reading for fun. I was able to spend time with friends and my sister, too. Each day had a new way for me to “treat myself”!

Easter Sunday

Our vacation started out with the Easter holiday! Read about it here.

Monday Run Day

I started this day thinking, “I’m gonna run every day this week of Spring Break and get back into shape!”

Guess how many days I did end up running… it’s more than 0 and less than 2. However, I think we’ve done a good job of moving outside at some point whether it’s walking the dog or going on a hike or strolling with the baby.

Jer passed me while he was out walking with the Baby. It was just a beautiful day to get outside!!

Movie Tuesday

Jer took the kids to the movie theater for discount Tuesday. W especially was so excited he was shaking. They have been waiting since the first Mario movie to watch this one that just came out.

It didn’t disappoint! The hardest part for them was coming home and not being able to talk about it in front of me with spoilers.

Later that evening I went out with friends for a Girls Night to watch Project Hail Mary at the movie theater. I’ve read the book, and it ended up being one of my favorite books I read that year.

I had so much fun laughing watching the movie! Especially with my friend who is not usually into the sci fi genre but is totally into Ryan Gosling with glasses hahaha. We went out to eat and chatted until the restaurant closed, and then chatted even more in my driveway lol.

Wednesday House Cleaning and Hike

I gifted myself a home reset with some deep cleaning items done by a professional cleaning lady. It’s been 7 months since we’ve been able to tackle anything beyond survival, so I made a Cleaning Wishlist and hired out the tasks I was too overwhelmed with.

It was absolutely worth it!!! A huge burden feels lifted from me, and I can enjoy my home more fully without dreading crumbs on the stairs, flies in the window tracks, dirty baseboards, dusty vents, greasy kitchens, and my least favorite chores (bathrooms and mopping).

Jer and the kids did a great job tidying before the cleaner arrived, so it wasn’t as messy as some of the Before pictures.

The best thing is she also did stuff I never am able to get to, like dusting and washing the inside of the windows and blinds.

To prevent additional mess while our house underwent cleaning, Jer took the kids out all morning and afternoon. Baby and I stayed home while they went on a big hike with friends to a hot springs, ran some errands, and had lunch at Panda Express.

Read about the hike here.

I hope we get to go on the hike again sometime so that I can join with Baby.

Jer and the kids brought a Snake home, which really upset me because I’ve always had a “No Snakes or Spiders” policy for our house. “It’s either me or the snake,” I said and left. I ended up at our local Thai restaurant and as I ate my food, a couple of my friends Kathryn and LaDawn showed up! “What are you doing here alone?” they asked. We sat together, laughed, ate, talked for hours, and ended our night with big hugs. Jer and I figured things out when I got home and made up.

Thursday Haircut + Cooking

My friend Kelsey gave me a professional haircut at her salon. I’ve been looking forward to it for so long! Right now I don’t have time or energy to cut my own hair, so I looked for someone with great style to help me out of decision fatigue.

Though I was open to a drastic change, we landed on a refresh of my current hairstyle. It’s a good fit for my hair changes from giving birth, high stress, and aging.

She pampered me with a double wash plus tea tree oil, and blended the hair near my part. Then she used texturizing volumizer, blow dried with a round brush, and used texturizing scissors for more movement.

Jer said he’s not sure how, but it’s even more cute haha! I felt very pampered and special, especially at the end when she heavily discounted her service as a gift to me. She had wanted to be there for me during our hardship, and wasn’t able to maybe when I needed help the most. This was her pouring love into me. I was so touched at her kindness that I started crying and we gave each other the biggest hug. I am the luckiest person with the most precious friends.

Jer and I got to cook together for the first time in a long time, and it was so nice to work in the kitchen side by side. We made Swedish Meatballs for dinner, enough for leftovers!

Friday First Family Hike

Baby was outside for his first hike and enjoyed our canyon! Read about it here.

Sister Time

My sister spent the weekend with us loving on the kids, having late night talks while caring for Baby Henry, playing Just Dance, and making Ube mochi pancakes before everyone left for school/work. She showed us the film she’s working on, and her favorite part of a Coachella festival she attended. Adelynn also shared some “sumo oranges” that were sweet, delicious, and W was a big fan.

The biggest discussion was probably “If I Had A Million Dollars” inspired by the song from Barenaked Ladies, and the kids found the lyrics hilarious.

We gave my sister’s lactose pills a run for their money the first night with gyros and tzatziki sauce for dinner and ice cream for dessert. Jer made skillet potatoes and eggs for breakfast, veggie stir fry for snack-lunch, and fresh tacos with beans on the side for dinner.

During church via zoom, we shared a snack she found at the grocery store and thought of me- Girl Scout cookie flavored Muddy Bites haha!! She knows me so well…

Sis also brought me a special bath bomb from a store called Lush, drew me a bath, and watched the baby while I soaked and listened to an audiobook snacking on strawberries and whipped cream. I felt so relaxed and happy! I have the BEST sister!!!

We’ve had so much fun that we didn’t want Spring Break to end. Jer was bummed to be going back to work. We all missed my sis Adelynn. I have been able to spend actual time talking with my kids and hanging with my husband again. We can’t wait for summer break ❤️❤️❤️

-Kat