Stay at Home Vacation

I don't know what to tell you about whether it's fair or not to go to the beach. I feel like they commited themselves to the job and football knowing they were not going to be able to go on vacation and it's not fair to you or the younger ones that you have to stay home because of their commitments, but that's part of being a mom too. As for the "stay at home" vacation, you could do Beach Bend in Bowling Green one day, Nashville Shores, the Zoo, the Science Center (drawing a blank on what that's called), you could even go to Kentucky Kingdom overnight (it's only 3 hours away whereas the closest beach is 8 hours).

I think the stay at home vacation is a great idea. You can save the beach for spring break. Take them Ice Skateing at the Sportsplex, Zoo, Nashville shores, The Frist Center, Cumberland Science Center, A Sounds game, I am sure there is a place to paint your own pottery. There are so many things to do in Nashville that I bet you have never done and some really fun restaurants to , Joe's Crab Shack, Bucca De Beppos. Good Luck!

Don't try to be fair because what one child considers fair, another is going to think is the most UNfair thing ever!!!! If you feel more comfortable staying close to home then thats what you should do. Besides tons of stuff to do IN Nashville, there are lots of places just outside the area also. Mammoth caves, Dinosaur World, Kentucky Kingdom (Six Flags), Chattanooga has Ruby Falls and the Choo-Choo...... Try getting on-line and finding some activities that you think the kids and you would enjoy and let the kids pick what they think would be fun. You may even be able to spend one day with each child as a special treat for just the two of you.....For example: you and your 11 yr old daughter could get a room at Opryland and have pedicures and a day of pampering, you could take your 16 yr.old to some kind of sporting event, and the three yr. old to the zoo or pump-it-up. The oldest I'm not sure about, it would depend what he is into, but even if he doesn't have a full day off for you guys to spend together you could always still go out to dinner together or some other activity he would like.
Most important HAVE FUN!!!
Peace

Absolutely it is fine to take the younger ones on a vacation. This will help the older ones know that we make choices - and when you choose a sport then that is a priority. Also, I'm sure you did fun things with the older children before the younger ones were born. For the one going to college - unfortunately, when you leave for college that tends to be the time that your family at home goes on with their life without it revolving around their schedule.
Go have fun at the beach.