Time In and out of School

What is the deal? So my child will start school on a Thursday and go for two days and then have a 3 day weekend (because of Labor day) and then she does to school for two days again and then has Thur-Sun off!?!?!?!?! WHAT? Okay, fine, Shane is at home so I don't have to deal with childcare or anything at least! So then we start talking about heading back to Nebraska for Christmas since it's been YEARS since we were there for Christmas. Looking at the Calendar, she gets out of school on the 22nd (Wed) and has the next full week off and then has to be back the following Monday. It just doesn't seem like much time, 1 week and two days? I swear I remember that our Christmas breaks were MUCH Longer growing up! So if we want to drive, we spend at least 3 to 3 1/2 days traveling. Doesn't leave much QT with family :( If we fly, we spend A LOT more! LOL Then for whatever reason, in Feb. she has a another week off of school?? WHY?? I don't know! Because then another week in April for Spring Break! I guess maybe I just got used to Hawaii and them NEVER being in School at all! LOL