Our family doesn’t take elaborate vacations. And since we moved away from our families, we tend to head back to Illinois to visit when we have time off.

This year, we decided to have a “staycation.” My husband and I were both taking a week off from our jobs. We thought about heading out of town, but couldn’t agree on a destination, and the more we talked about it, the more we talked ourselves out of traveling and spending the money. Were the kids slightly disappointed? Yup! But in the end it was a great non-stressful week full of quality family time.

The week consisted of an overnight trip to Abilene, Kan. We visited the Eisenhower Presidential Museum and, as advised, had the famous chicken dinner at the Brookville Hotel. It was a fun little getaway, and I can cross this Presidential Museum off my list.

We also took our youngest son and a friend to Worlds of Fun. We purchased discounted tickets in Lawrence and dropped the boys off at the gate. My husband and I went to nearby Ameristar casino to check it out. We’re not big gamblers, but it was very hot outside and the casino was nice and cool. The plus side of this little excursion was that my husband walked out of Ameristar a winner!

On Thursday, we decided to head to Oak Park Mall in Overland Park to do some summer clearance back-to-school shopping (plus I had Macy’s coupons). We found some really good deals, and no one spent over our budget.

The rest of the week we spent working around the house and knocking items off our “to do” list that we had been putting off during hockey and baseball seasons. And it was just nice to relax and do nothing if we wanted.

When I was a child, my parents always took my sisters and me to Michigan for our vacation. We’d spend a week at Ray’s Motel in St. Joseph. My parents rented a cabin there, and my mom still cooked, and we still had to clean up and do dishes. Everyday we’d go to the beach. We did this for years.

At the time, my sisters and I hated it. It was the same trip year after year. The only thing that changed was when members of our extended family joined us. But now when I look back at those vacations, I can understand why my parents kept going back. It was relaxing to them to leave town and just hang out at the beach and read and spend family time together. And despite our complaints then, I have fond memories of those Michigan trips.

So maybe, my kids will look back at our family vacations in the same way. This summer may have been a “staycation,” but it was definitely memorable.