So I'm in the fortunate position of being still relatively new but close to 40% in domicile (hello Mad Dog!). I've got two weeks of vacation to bid and would like the first week of April (Spring Break) and the last block in December (New Years and school break). Given my seniority I can hold any of this stuff off anyway, but I struggle to prioritize them.

Do the Spring Break blocks (block 1) actually get snapped up before the Xmas/New Years blocks (block 40)?

I also have a zero'd Bank. Is there any benefit to me purchasing a few extra vacation days to add to the Spring Break week of vacation (block 1)?

Thanks!