As we've mentioned before we are in year round school district so our daughter is out of school at unusual times. We love the year round concept but we understand why it doesn't work for some families. Our daughter's grades are better than ever, she isn't bored over the long summer and we get to vacation at different times.

So we have the next three weeks off and I'm making my list now:

A week on the NC Outer Banks - yeah it's not summer hot but our daughter had NC history this year and now loves lighthouses. The Outer Banks is full of historical neat stuff - lighthouse, Lost Colony and pirate stuff so we'll do that plus take some ferries to get around. We'll take a jeep ride on the beach with a tour to see the wild ponies that live there too and then a cruise around the area. We got a great house down there for less than a hotel room a night in most cases - and the house has hot tub, four bedrooms and is a just few lots back from the oceanfront.

North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh - She actually ASKED to go! I'm thrilled!

Marbles/IMAX in Raleigh - Raleigh has a great kids interactive museum with an IMAX so we'll take in a cool movie, perhaps the Deep Sea one.

Photos - We have a photographer taking some nice

Riding - Our daughter rides horses and hopes to continue to show them. Track out means she can get in lessons during the day and go twice a week - plus she can hang out at the stable and goof off without us worrying about schedules.

Be Silly - Sleep late, play games, run around and be a kid.