What can we do today?

Now that the festivities are over, the left overs are either eaten or in the freezer and we've found a home for all our new goodies my daughter is BORED!  Her constant question is "what can we do today?"  I wish I could come up with loads of exciting, creative things to do but my mind goes blank and I can usually only manage "read a book" (she would rather poke herself in the eye than read a book!), "play on the computer" (oh no she can't do that I'm on here!), "go and play with a friend" (they are all off skiing or similar!) so we end up either hanging about getting on each other's nerves or going somewhere that requires me to spend money.

Why can't I think of more interesting (and cheaper!!) things to do?  I think the problem is when I was her age reading a book was something I loved to do.  I can't understand why she won't sit and read.  Every now and then she will pick up a book and read but only a few pages and she stops.  She did once finish a book and say she'd got involved in the whole thing and it had felt "real" which is what I believe a good book should do but for some reason Allie can't quite get involved in a book like that normally.  I think part of the problem is that she does have such a vivid imagination that any books don't quite meet up to it plus it all has to be done quick - she can't get to the end fast enough because she just can't physically read that fast.

So what can we do today?  Well at 10.30am she's still fast asleep upstairs LOL  But when she does get up I have nothing to offer other than a trip to the bank to pay in her Christmas and Birthday money.  OK that will be fun for about 10 minutes but then we are dangerously in town where she could spend money (and it won't be her money safe and sound in the bank!).

Was it easier when she was little?  I don't think so.  I signed her up to Stagecoach not because I wanted to create a little stage star but because it gave her something to do for a few hours on a Sunday.  She's an air cadet not because we want her to be a pilot but because she gets away from the TV or computer at least twice a week (and weekends when there are camps on).

I've tried the "planned" days out with picnics, visits to parks, gardens, stately homes etc and yes we've had fun but usually I've had to pay out money somewhere (even if it is just for an ice cream LOL) and Allie never seems to have had as much fun as I had hoped.

Am I missing something on what teenagers do with their spare time these days or am I setting my own expectations too high for her to have a good time?

Well she's now out of bed and prowling the kitchen like a hungry bear so I'm off to find her breakfast (should that be brunch?) and then I am sure her next question will be "what can we do today?".............