For the first time EVER, my husband and I both have Christmas week off. I'm so excited. Typically, since he's a teacher, he holds down the fort while I work, and I squeeze in holiday prep when I can.

But next week will be awesome! I made dentist, orthodontist and doctor appointments for the kids. They both have school projects to work on. Have to finish gift shopping and mail the cards. Plus wrapping. Bake delicate Scandinavian goodies -- since the weather will be cool enough. Have to clean the house. Get a new air conditioning system installed (which means taking apart a closet and putting it back together again.) Take the car in.

Sounds a lot like work.

But, we've vowed to do something fun every day as a family -- nothing too extravagant. But something. Watch a movie. Go somewhere different for lunch. Take the dog to the bark park. Play a boardgame.

In my imagination, this is how families spend time together -- everybody is smiling and laughing and drinking warm apple cider, and the teen wants to play board games instead of Modern Warfare on his XBox.

Is this your reality? If you are lucky enough to have time off over the holiday break, tell me how you plan to carve out some family time. I need some ideas -- and a reality check.