I’m feeling like a kid again, so much have I been looking forward to this school vacation!  We’re not even going anywhere – no Disneyworld, no timeshare, not even a trip to Cape Cod in the works.  Instead, I’m giddy at the prospect of staying in my pjs long into the morning, if I feel like it.  No alarm clocks to set, no morning commute.  No homework!!!! (thank you, teachers.)  A week of simple pleasures and easygoing fun.  But even as I daydream about the wonderful week that lies ahead, I’m not so naive to think that I won’t have to head off any quarreling between the kids.  That’s when I’ll pull out my April Vacation Itinerary, my go-to list of activities, projects, and events going on in Bristol and Warren this week, to help moms like me in our quest for a few days of family happiness!

Monday, April 18th

10am – 3pm: nature crafts at the Audubon EEC in Bristol                                             10:30am – 11:30am: “Field” nature walk (weather-permitting) at the Audubon EEC in Bristol                                                                                                                                     12:30pm: nature story reading at the Audubon EEC in Bristol                                              1pm – 2pm: “Animal Disguise” at the Audubon EEC in Bristol ($, registration required, call 949-5454 ext.3041)                                                                                                                    1pm – 3pm: Collage Workshop at Warren Art Spot ($, space limited; registration required, call 245-0190)

Tuesday, April 19th

10am – 11:30am: Caricature Workshop at Warren Art Spot ($, space limited; registration required, call 245-0190)                                                                                       10am – noon: “Ants-on-your-Plants” nature walk (weather-permitting) at the Audubon EEC in Bristol                                                                                                                                     10am – 3pm: nature crafts at the Audubon EEC in Bristol                                                  11am: Animal Experiences with Dave Marchetti at the George Hail Free Library in Warren (registration required, call 245-7686)                                                                 12:30pm: nature story reading at the Audubon EEC in Bristol                                              1pm – 2pm: “Down the Drain” at the Audubon EEC in Bristol ($, registration required, call 949-5454 ext.3041)

Wednesday, April 20th

10am – 3pm: nature crafts at the Audubon EEC in Bristol                                            10:30am: Sparkey’s Puppets at the Rogers Free Library in Bristol                               10:30am – 11:30am: “Forest and Treetops” nature walk (weather-permitting) at the Audubon EEC in Bristol                                                                                                      12:30pm: nature story reading at the Audubon EEC in Bristol                                             1pm – 2pm: “Nesting for the Birds” at the Audubon EEC in Bristol ($, registration required, call 949-5454 ext.3041)                                                                                                1pm – 3pm: Collage Workshop at Warren Art Spot ($, space limited; registration required, call 245-0190)                                                                                                     6:30pm: Pumpernickle Puppets at the George Hail Free Library in Warren (registration required, call 245-7686)

Thursday, April 21st

10am – noon: Fairy House & Garden in a Basket at Blithewold in Bristol ($, call 253-2707 for more information)                                                                                                       10am – noon: Minibooks at Warren Art Spot ($, space limited; registration required, call 245-0190)                                                                                                                                     10am – 3pm: nature crafts at the Audubon EEC in Bristol                                             10:30am – 11:30am: “Saltmarsh” nature walk (weather-permitting) at the Audubon EEC in Bristol                                                                                                                     12:30pm: nature story reading at the Audubon EEC in Bristol                                              1pm – 2pm: “Marsh Madness” at the Audubon EEC in Bristol ($, registration required, call 949-5454 ext.3041)                                                                                                                1pm – 3pm: Soda Bottle Re-Creations at Warren Art Spot ($, space limited; registration required, call 245-0190)                                                                                                                  2pm: Storyteller Mark Binder at the George Hail Free Library (registration required, call 245-7686)

Friday, April 22nd

10am – 3pm: nature crafts at the Audubon EEC in Bristol                                               10:30am – 11:30am: “Shore and Bay” nature walk (weather-permitting) at the Audubon EEC in Bristol                                                                                                                                            11am – 1pm: Earth Day Family Fun Friday at Blithewold in Bristol                                   12:30pm: nature story reading at the Audubon EEC in Bristol                                              1pm – 2pm: “Life in the Tidepool” at the Audubon EEC in Bristol ($, registration required, call 949-5454 ext.3041)                                                                                               3pm – 5pm: Legos at the Library at the Rogers Free Library in Bristol