Last year, I started a tradition called Skip Days. One day every May, I will surprise my kids and take them out of school early just to do something fun with them. I take the kiddos one on one and they pick our day. They’ve been planning these days since about Christmas break, so they were super pumped when I showed up at school and surprised them. When the little two are in kindergarten, I’ll start this tradition with them too.
In a perfect world, we’ll do this through their senior year in high school 😉 . I know that might not be possible, but I’m going to try and keep it up as long as I can. This has turned into very special days for us, and it’s something they talk about all year long! I always make sure and clear it with their teachers and I pick days and times that work best with their schedules (for instance, Smith missed recess, lunch and PE) because I don’t want to interrupt anything they can’t miss.
So, a few weeks ago, I surprised Kensington for her skip day first. When I dropped her off that morning, she had no clue. Last year, she had wanted to visit the American Girl store, but this year, she wanted to eat lunch with Lovie and shop for summer clothes. What?! What happened to the baby who wanted to see the dolls????? Smith was like “she’s going to buy you swimsuits whether you’re with her or not, so you should do something else”. That kid is so funny! #andright But despite that, she really wanted to do a little shopping with Lovie and me, so that was her Skip Day!
I picked her up for lunch and look who surprised us…
Papa Jay! He met us for lunch before heading back to work. Kensington said she wanted Madeley to be with us on this day (Ashby was at school) because she never just hangs out with Madeley…so she tagged along as well. (Smith said he didn’t want any sisters around on his skip day!).
After lunch, we picked up a few summer essentials like a hat 🙂 .
Madeley had no fun whatsoever.
We also stopped for a Starbucks treat too!
It was such a special time with my biggest girl. She picked the music on the way there (Les Miserables and Thoroughly Modern Millie), we talked and talked and talked in the car, she got a few new things to wear this summer, enjoyed her lunch and Starbucks and then we headed back to pick up Smith after school. She said it was the perfect Skip Day!
So, then last Monday, I surprised Smith.
Here is what Smith wanted to do: eat pizza, swim and eat chocolate cake.
I mean…that does sound like the perfect day, right?!
We’re so pumped to be heading outside to swim!!
Both Ashby and Madeley were home on this day, so Andrew worked from home and hung out with them while we swam outside. (Remember, no sisters allowed!)
Love this boy of mine!
He was pumped!!
We were having such a good time…
…until we saw a snake in the pool!!!!!!!!!!!
Good thing Andrew was home!
That farm boy has no problem getting a snake out of the pool. Eeeeeeeeeeeeks!
Ah! We resumed out snake-free fun right away!
Smith had been seeing commercials for Domino’s New York Style Pizza, so that’s what he wanted to order. He was a fan :).
After pizza, I had a popsicle and he had…
…a piece of chocolate cake that I had grabbed from the bakery.
It was the perfect Skip Day!
As a mama to four, I’m always looking for ways to spend one on one time with each kiddo. I love them each oh so much and know how important it is to have that time together. These Skip Days are something that we’ll never forget 🙂 .
xo
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says
What a fun day! I wish I had skip days when I was small! Knowing the strict, traditional rules of Hong Kong’s schooling, though, that would’ve been impossible!
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Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Kelly says
Out of curiosity, would it be possible in hong kong to have the child stay home as a “sick day” and then do the fun day together without actually telling the administration why your child stayed home? (It’s always interesting to see how other countries do things )
Amy Rae DeVito says
What a fun and special idea! It looks like both Kensington, Smith, and you had wonderful days! Well except for the snake part… eek! You’re right, it was a good thing Andrew was home! 🙂
Amanda @ Cupcake N Dreams says
I love reading about these skip days! Great choices by both of them 🙂 They are going to remember them for years to come!
Amanda @ Cupcake N Dreams
Sally Hepworth says
Omg the snake!
Bethany says
I love this idea! It’s the little things they will cherish the most!
Laura says
In college, I interviewed my grandma for a class project. I am so grateful for that one on one time with her! She said her biggest regret in life was not spending more time with her four kids (my mom, aunt, and uncles disagreed and said she did so much with them!). She said if nothing else all year, she went back to school shopping individually with each one every year- just like your skip day!
Lindsay says
I absolutely LOVE this idea! My first kiddo is going into Kindergarten next year. I think we will “borrow” 😉 your idea. And the snake….. I am petrified of them and would have had the same reaction as you and Smith! Thank God for manly husbands who will do the job for us. Whew!! Sending love from Kansas!
Lesley McFarland says
What a super fun day!! I know these kiddos are going to look back and these day and smile!
My husband and I “specialize” in certain activities with our kids. Like my daughter rodeos…..there is NO WAY I’m ever going to pull a trailer, especially one with live animals and really they kinda freak me out and I have no clue about them. My husband jumped into this adventure with 2 feet and never look back. So I make sure she looks cute and show up
Just in time to cheer on.
As for my son he LOVES to hike. I love it as well so we are always looking for a good hike. My husband cannot hike because of his knees and my daughter is just not into at all. So my son and I pick a hike and head out.
Kelly says
The snake will definitely make Smith’s skip day a topic of conversation when the kids are older! I love this idea of skip days! I wish I remembered to do it with my kiddos this year but I’m writing it in my calendar for next year so I don’t miss it again! Thanks for the awesome idea! PS I love the color of your swimsuit ?
Narci Dreffs says
What fun days with those sweeties! I love that picture of you and Kensington! And, Smith: pizza, swimming, and chocolate cake? Sounds perfect! Xo
Sarah says
This is so sweet!! My oldest starts kindergarten this year and I am DEFINITELY starting this tradition!!! Thanks for the idea!! Your kids are adorable!!
-Sarah http://www.thefrugalmillionaireblog.com
Sheaffer Sims says
This is so fun! I meant to do this this year with Carter, and I totally forgot! Guess I’ll start next year. Way too much to do before school gets out this year. Ha!
Shannon says
I loved this idea of yours last year, but forgot about it (of course), and now it’s our last 2 1/2 days of school! Fingers crossed that next year I can remember! 🙂 🙂 Such a great tradition you have started!
Christina says
Those are the perfect skip days. I do the same thing. Taking my biggest girl who is 10 to the zoo this week and some shopping. I love the skip days as much as they do
Whitney Pegram says
This is SUCH a good idea!! Hmmm … you’ve got me thinking I need to start a skip day tradition! ? And that picture of you & Kensington is SO good!! Happy Monday, girl!
Courtney says
I love this idea! And as a former teacher, I think it’s awesome that you are spending one on one time with them – and coordinating the time with the teacher 🙂 !
XO
Courtney
http://www.greywoodmama.com
Alexis deZayas says
Loving both of their ideas of a skip day! So fun!!
Sarah Shaneyfelt says
I love the tradition of skip days! That’s something I’m going to start when I have children!
MeetTheShaneyfelts
Kelly says
Smith is too funny telling Kensington what to do on her Skip Day. I love, love, love this idea – how fun!
Dania says
What a special tradition! I also have four little ones. We homeschool so we have lots of time together, but rarely one on one. I’m looking forward to doing more like this as soon as I can (baby #4 is just 7 months and nursing, so he goes everywhere with his mama).
Maggie says
Smith. I don’t even know this kid, but I like him. A Lot. “She’s going to buy you swimsuits whether you’re with her or not.” So funny!
Shanna says
LOVE the idea of skip days!! Thanks for sharing!
Brittany Hensley says
My heart loves our skip days. We normally grab both out on the same day, and the boys love it so much. It’s fun having that time with the kids when they are supposed to be in school, and it’s good to just give them a little break!
Jenna says
I love this idea. Spending one on one time with kiddos can be so tough. They will remember this forever.
Molly Bierens says
very cool tradition! I may need to start this with my kids as well next school year. 🙂
Nikki says
What a great idea for a tradition! I wonder what the littles will want to do on their Skip Days. Thanks for sharing & have a great week! PS cannot wait to see Kensington with baby Britt – I have a feeling they are going to get along so well <3
http://www.speakathometonight.com/blog
Sarah says
What a wonderful tradition!! I may have to borrow this one now that my kiddos are getting older…
Angela Ellingson says
Love this tradition! Great photos! I love spending one-on-one time with my kiddos, but think I need to create some traditions so I remember to make it happen regularly. 🙂
Melanie S says
Skipping school for one on one time is just awesome! It’s like it’s a little sneaky, which makes it that much more fun– especially when you’re young like they are! They will remember these moments with Mom forever! Now…..can you plan my skip day for work? I want shopping and lunch; just like K.
Rebecca Brittain says
Oh my goodness, this made me cry! I love how special and unique each of your children are and that you take the time to celebrate them each individually. I will definitely carry forward this idea if and when I ever have children. You’re an inspiration!
Lisa says
such a great idea and love that both days were so different!!
Shelly says
I love this and you are so right…enjoy while they are little and you can still pull them from school. Believe it or not my kids actually got to the age that they didn’t want to miss school. I was like who are you?!!
Megan Butler says
I just love this this idea so much!!!! Such a great way to get quality time with each kiddo!!
Victoria Strader says
This is soooo weird of me but this blog post made me cry!! Haha! My baby boy just turned one a week ago, and for some reason this post really hit the spot for the type of mama I want to be to him and our future (God willing!!) babies. I want to be the mom that will hold his hand and jump into the pool with him! Such an encouragement to me this morning! XO
Diana H. says
I love reading about the sacrifices you and Andrew make for your kiddos. Andrew working from home with two toddlers so Smith can have his skip day? Amazing! Warms my heart….the two of you are such wonderful parents 🙂
Alexandria Ford says
Love this idea!! I might have to start doing it next year with my kids!!! Quick question though! When it was Smith’s skip day & your 2 girls were inside with Andrew how did you keep them from wanting to join in on all the fun? Were they in a different area of the house & didn’t know you were out back or were they just too occupied with doing other things they didn’t really care to join you guys? I can see this being a problem with getting one of my girls out of school & my 2 year old wanting to join us!!! (I guess I would just have to make sure they didn’t want to do anything at home.)
Mix and Match Mama says
Well, since I did it later in the day, they ate lunch inside with Andrew and then took naps, so they really didn’t know what was going on. That being said, Ashby is already looking forward to kinder so that she can have skip days too!
Britt says
We did skip days often growing up (my mom was pretty chill as long as we were making good grades & didn’t miss anything important) & I always loved them! I still love “girl days” as we call them, even though I sometimes have my baby boy with us ?
Jenny says
I LOVE this idea. I have already missed the boat with my kiddos as they are too old. But I wish I had thought of it back in the day.
Amanda Wilson says
We do something similar….my kids stay home on their birthdays….and the whole family stays home and takes the day off work. Then the birthday kiddo gets to plan what we do!!! They absolutely love it! I am so happy to spend that whole special day with them, it is just one day I am not willing to share them! This year my son is in Grade 6 and he has told me he cant skip his birthday because he has a huge test and I almost cried….he was like mom it’s ok I will see you after school……where did my baby boy go!!!!!!!!
Rebecca Jo says
These are just the best ideas.I love how their personalities shine in their days.
& I have to say, I’m with Smith on pizza & chocolate cake 😉
& you married a good man to just reach in & grab a snake. I’d be in my room, in the closet, shaking & hiding.
Jennifer Burchill says
Sweet memories! I love this idea and will begin this tradition with my daughter.
Where did you get your bathing suit? It is adorable. 🙂
Amanda @ That Inspired Chick says
I love that you do this!! Matthew and Mason are so inseparable that it’s rare to spend time one-on-one time with them. I am absolutely going to do this though! Thanks for inspiring this chick. 😉 (See what I did there?? That was cheesy wasn’t it?)
That Inspired Chick
Elise Welch says
That is such a cool tradition!!!
April says
That picture of Smith with his chocolate cake may be my very favorite. I think it sums up his skip day perfectly!! And kudoooos to Andrew for getting the snake out. I think I would have banned our pool permanently …. or at least for the day!
Laura says
What a fun tradition! I love how different their days are!
Brandye says
I did this with my kids when they were growing up! I called it a “mental health day.” (LOL I even put that on the note for school and the registrar called me.) They still talk about what movie we saw, or if we went shopping, if we met Dad or Grandmother for lunch, etc. Kids need that one-on-one time. I have no doubt your kids will always remember them also!!
Stephanie says
It is so special that the kids pick activities with you that guarantee time for chatting and really enjoying your time together, not like a movie or something where you can’t actually enjoy each other’s presence. Like most of the comments, I too plan to steal this gem of an idea when my son hits kindergarten! I love that they both included meals with you and an activity that allows for expression of their personalities! Precious!
Nicole D. says
This is the cutest idea ever! I love that Kensington picked Broadway musicals. I also noticed and got a laugh out of the spelling of your name on the Starbucks cup. You must get that a lot!
Shannon says
I love traditions that your kids can look forward to each year! My kids are all in their twenties now, but one tradition that they always loved was our “End of Summer Party”. When they were little, I would have them draw pictures of things we had done over the summer, and when they got bigger I had them answer a multiple choice questionnaire about our summer activities. Then we would eat pizza or something fun and watch a classic movie that they’d never seen. (Something like “What’s Up Doc?” or “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”). It was a great way to reflect on all the fun we’d had. Wish I had thought to do a Skip Day! What a fun idea.
Amy says
I’m totally stealing this idea.
Kristi says
How did you jump into the pool with your Apple Watch on? I thought they couldn’t get wet. Staged photo?
Mix and Match Mama says
I upgraded to the newest Apple watch and it’s water proof!!!! Woohoo!!!! I basically never take it off now :).
Megan says
SO MUCH FUN!! Love this, I’m going to start this next year! And did you jump in the pool with your Apple watch? Is it waterproof?
Lindsay @ Lindsay's Sweet World says
This is truly the best tradition! It is so sweet that you spend time individually with them! And how stinking sweet that Kensington wanted Madeley at her skip day. She has such a sweet heart!
Cori says
I love this idea so much! I may have to do this with my babies when they get older. Looks like y’all had a blast!
Ahsia says
I love the idea of a skip day and will definitely do that with my kiddos. We are also working on our summer fun list. These are two ideas I had never thought to do, but can see both of these adding a ton of fun for my group of three.
Leiah says
My mom let us do this in high school but called them “Mental Health Days” because she always seemed to know just when we needed to take a break from school pandemonium and reclaim a little bit of ourselves. Love starting it at an earlier age.
Nicole says
This is probably a funny question to ask, but what kind of popsicles do you buy? ??
Mix and Match Mama says
oh gosh! Whatever looks tastiest and is on sale :).
Lynn says
Love this tradition! Wish I could do this with my kids but their high school schedule doesn’t allow it-high school is so stressful now?
Lauren says
I absolutely love this! I don’t have kids yet but I’m going to keep this in the back of mind for when I do 🙂
Erin Port says
Love this I might need to try this – I would have loved both skip days! They both sound like perfect ways to spend the day minus the snake – no ma’am! Xoxo Erin
Susan says
I’m 52 years old and still remember the “skip day” my mom surprised my little sister and me with every year! We grew up in Orlando, so it was always a day at Disney. She would call the school and say we were sick. “Sick and tired” of school, she would tell us ??, not wanting us to think it was ok to lie. ? Such a wonderful memory we still talk about.
Lizzie @ This Happy Life says
I LOVE this tradition you do!! We took our son out of school early last Friday to have a family fun day but I know he would love a skip day all to himself too (he’s our one who really needs that one on one time) Maybe I’ll do that with him next year! So much fun with your kids!
Jenny says
I love that you do this! It’s so sweet! 🙂
Lidya says
Hahaha.. love Smith! No sisters allowed ???????
Kerri says
What kind of stroller is Madeley in? You should do a post on favorite baby Products 🙂
Mix and Match Mama says
It’s a Chicco!
cassie {hi sugarplum} says
I love this tradition so much…and love to see what each chooses to do on their day! When I surprise my high-schooler with an early pick-up, he gets all nervous…”What’s wrong?!? What happened?!” 🙂
Natalie says
You are such a good Mama! I struggle to find one on one time with all of my kids! Do you still do the 30 min at night with each one?
Mix and Match Mama says
We do it in phases. There are some seasons that make it hard (baseball with evening games is one of them!).
Lara Brown says
Such precious memories for the kiddos. I may have to start this next year. I only have one so it might not mean that much to him. LOL!!
Southern & Style says
This is the cutest idea ever! And as a teacher, I love that you make sure they aren’t missing anything too important, that’s so thoughtful of you!
xoxo, SS
Southern And Style