This isn’t my first post-vacation blog, but last week’s blogs were planned and in place before spring break. This is the blog that reminds me that I haven’t caught up from being away. It’s the realization that I could easily use a vacation from vacation.

As I’m sitting here I realized I still have piles of laundry to do, one stubborn suitcase to put away, running to help balance out the gluttony of vacation of and lots of writing to catch up on–just for starters. And although the weather isn’t cooperating at the moment, spring sports have started that means I am back to being a boy juggling taxi driver.

But, do you know what? Maybe I don’t really need a vacation from vacation. Maybe I just need to chill. In fact, now that I think about it, vacation was so awesome it would be a shame to stress about stupid stuff. Instead of harping on needing a vacation from vacation, I’m simply going to go with the flow and see how I’m doing on Thursday.

Walk away from the madness…

What’s the hardest part of coming back from your vacations? If you could do one thing to stop stressing and chill, what would it be? If you could have a vacation from vacation, what would you be doing?

Tags: catching up, Kim Sabatini, Kimberly Sabatini, stress, vacation, vacation madness

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This past week, my husband and kids spent two days laughing at me. Or rather, my childish delight at being in Universal’s Harry Potter Theme Park of Hogsmeade, Hogwarts, Diagon Alley and Gringotts. But they were pretty blown away by the awesomeness of the experience too.

We’re all HP fans. <3

But the thing that stuck with me the most was my husband wandering around, continually repeating how amazing it was to get to walk around in someone else’s imagination.

I can’t possibly agree more.

I wish you’d all been there with me too. Maybe we can have an SCBWI event there sometime, right??

But in the meantime, here’s a picture tour of JK Rowling’s imagination come to life…

The Hogwarts Express

Hogsmeade at night

Hogwarts!!!!

Butterbeer

Honey Dukes for Chocolate Frogs and Bertie Botts’ Every Flavor Beans

The Sorting Hat

Olivander’s Wand Shop…where the wand picks the Wizard.

Then…

I unexpectedly rounded a corner into Diagon Alley. My 12yo is still laughing about the squeal he heard me make before he got inside. <3

The Weasley Twin’s joke shop–Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes

And a fire breathing dragon atop of Gringotts

I applied for an account!

More butterbeer–because I could!

Even the toilets were just right!

There was also the Leaky Caldron

And Flourish & Blotts for school books too.

And there was so much more…

It’s a tiny picture , but it’s all I could upload with a panoramic.

And don’t forget the Knight Bus…

For getting around on the Muggle streets of London LOL!

And King’s Cross Station–Next time I’m going to get to go in. Platform 9 and 3/4 is on my HP Bucket list. <3

Ahhh I miss it already. I can’t wait to go back. What about you?

Have you been inside JK Rowling’s imagination? What was your favorite part? Are you planning to go? What is on top of your HP Bucket List?

Tags: butterbeer, Diagon Alley, Gringotts, Harry Potter, Hogsmeade, Hogwarts, JK Rowling, Kim Sabatini, Kimberly Sabatini, Universal Studios, vacation, YA Author, YA Books

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Where have you been???

Oh, wait, it was me that fell down the rabbit hole and got lost? Yeah, I guess it was.

I was busy surviving the end of the school year. I know normal people do this all the time, but let’s face it, I don’t consider myself normal.

I’m a procrastinating, organizationally challenged mom who’s allergic to party planning. I harbor secret guilt about how excited I am the day after birthday parties and graduation events. But I love my people and I’m married to a host with the most, so I try to crawl out of my box when necessary.

But, summer is HERE! RITH NOW!!!!  Although you wouldn’t know it much from the weather. WTH humidity and rain???? And I have some things on my agenda for the vacation–besides spending quality time hanging out with my family and being foot loose and fancy free. Here are the BIG ones…

*VACATION!!!! I will be taking an Alaskan Cruise this summer. I am so excited. Major bucket list item. I VOW to pack and prepare ahead of time giving me a stress free lead up to the trip!!! Stop snorting!!!!!

*WRITING!!!! Well, no surprise there–I write all year long. But I’ve got some really great projects that I’m working on and I’d love to finish. And of course I’m off to SCBWI LA at the end of July.

*TIDYING UP!!!! I know I moved into my house a year and a half ago, but some how all the not so fun stuff to unpack and organize got shoved to the side and in the closet and into every available nook and cranny. My goal this summer is to utilize my boys to entertain my dog so I can get my act together. I read THE LIFE-CHANGING MAGIC OF TIDYING UP by Marie Kondo and while not everything resonated with me, I certainly found lots to love and implement. More posts and pictures of my progress over the summer. 

*AND BLOG MORE!!!!! Because I’ve missed you. <3

What are your projects, goals and big plans? What’s on your summer agenda?

Tags: #LA15SCBWI, blog, Kim Sabatini, Kimberly Sabatini, Marie Kondo, Summer, tidying up, vacation, vacation madness, writing

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As much as I look forward to vacations, I always look forward to coming home and the familiar routine when I return. Last week I was away in St. Louis visiting family. It was a fabulous trip–the perfect mix of laid back relaxing with family and a super fun time seeing the local sights and eating ALL the food. Here are some highlights…

And the nice part about this trip was we were able to build in enough days at the end of vacation to come home and straighten life out, before heading back to school and work. Of course, things are about to get hectic with spring sports and activities. My command central boy calendar is already starting to look intimidating. 

But no matter how fun vacation was or how hairy the future schedule. Writing is back at the top of my list of priorities. *does a happy dance*

My question for you…is it harder or easier to write in the spring when the weather starts getting nice? It depends on the day for me.

Tags: Kim Sabatini, Kimberly Sabatini, spring, Spring Break, St. Louis, vacation, writing

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