Sometimes it's better to do nothing.

My daughter tried to argue the point with me as she, her brother and I wrapped up our 10th and final day of fall recess sunburnt and sleep-deprived, but seemingly storyless as well.

As we reviewed how we spent our time, I summed it up simply. We said yes, to each other, and found common ground in:

• Swimming, and swimming, and swimming again.

• Roller skating to the zoo, but not in the zoo.

• Looking at fish at the aquarium instead of snorkeling.

• Going to see the Honolulu Symphony perform "The Story of Babar" and watching Babar cartoons at home.

• Picking French fries over French food.

• Going to this park and to that park, too.

• Having a "Sonny With a Chance" marathon because we'd seen every episode of "iCarly."

• Ignoring the alarm clock and staying up late.

It was gloriously unproductive. We took care of important things, like seeing friends and family, overdosing on vampires and zombies and conquering video game opponents. We bought craft supplies we didn't open, cereal we didn't eat and clothes we didn't wear, but didn't worry about it because we know we won't need to shop for them later.

We knew that our procrastination would come back to haunt us, but figured that it was better to have fun while we could and leave the mundane to get squeezed in with our other responsibilities later. I knew 10 days couldn't make up for all the times our plans had been derailed because one of us had work to do but figured that it wouldn't hurt to try.

It wasn't perfect. I did my best to stop saying "wait," but my daughter fell asleep while I clumsily attempted to tune a guitar, my son had to tag along on a playdate and we all were put on hold waiting for a repairman.

Even so, as my daughter and I reviewed what we had and hadn't accomplished, I pulled up our photos and videos and marveled at all the smiles and laughed at the way we'd released frustration by Photoshopping each others' images.

"Didn't we have fun?" I asked.

My daughter looked at me skeptically and over the course of the day asked if we could:

• Go swimming again.

• Bring a bike to Waikíkí instead of roller skates.

• Visit Sea World in San Diego.

• Go to the library to look at Babar books.

• Have McDonald's for dinner.

• Find a park with swings.

• Watch one more TV show before bed.

We'd run out of time for all but her final request, but aside from flying to California, I noted that she really wasn't asking to do much. Nothing, really, in her estimation. We'll have to do it all some time soon.