Soucheray: Catch your breath, enjoy this short week

Can you believe this weekend is already MEA break? It seems like school just started and we’re already at the mid-semester weekend, that four day pause when teachers and students catch their breath. It allows kids to sleep in and get a little, extra snooze time, parents to take a few days off work to hang around the house and teachers to head to the annual convention, as they pick up new tips for better teaching, along with lots of freebies for their classroom.

What are your plans for this weekend? Will you head out to the Mall of America and take in Nickelodeon Universe, lunch in the food court and maybe a movie at one of the fantastic theaters? You’ll find lots of information at mallofamerica.com.

Perhaps you will go to the Minnesota Children’s Museum. If you’ve never been to this fantastic venue, and you’re interested in finding out more about what it offers, check out mcm.org and watch a one-minute video that will give you an idea of what to expect. If you like archeology, check out the new exhibit which just arrived at the Science Museum of Minnesota and take in “Lost Egypt.” You’ll find more information at smm.org/Egypt.

Or you and your kids or grandkids could always head to Apple Valley to the Minnesota Zoo and see the animals in their natural habitats as you ride the monorail and check out the new black bear exhibit. For more information, go to mnzoo.com.

You could also go to a local farm and get your pumpkins for Halloween. You could spend time assembling your children’s costumes for that special night, which is only two weeks from today.

MEA as it’s known, the acronym for Minnesota Education Association – now known as Education Minnesota – provides a pause each fall in the arduous school schedule of Minnesota schools. Our schools rank among the top in the nation for test scores, student achievement and learning and the highest quality teachers. We value education in Minnesota and we are willing to make available an excellent public education for every child throughout our state.

As we begin the long MEA weekend tomorrow, how will you spend it with your kids? Will you insist they complete their homework, book report or initial handouts for their science project before you enjoy all the fun mentioned above? Or will you carve out some time to visit our local library and dive into a favorite story you can share with the entire family?

As we head into the weekend, plan to do some fun things, some educational things and some time of connection with those you love. You could also visit an apple orchard and have your children draw or write a short story about all you did on your adventure. You could also help them make a recipe from a special cookbook that features apple tarts, apple pies or apple sauce and share your wares with neighbors and friends.

You could also visit a corn maze, and if the weather is cooperative, when you get home, build a bonfire and make s’mores. The summer may be over but this fall weekend will offer so much to do, without having to go too far from home, that you will likely not even miss the longer days and warmer weather. In fact, when you don your wool sweater or hoodie, you’ll likely be glad the cooler temperatures are upon us, encouraging us to transition into this new phase of the year.

MEA seems to be a gateway into that next stage, so enjoy the fall. This weekend, stay up late, sleep in and kick back just a bit. Do a few things you missed over the busy summer and spend it with people who are important to you, as you create fun memories to hold on to as we move into the much more hectic months that lie ahead.

Soucheray is a Woodbury resident and a licensed family therapist

Tags: opinion, viewpoint, updates