How the heck is summer more than half over? Yes, the heat has been stifling – almost unbearable at times – but it seems like only last week we were still wondering if we needed a sweater and anticipating the last day of school.
Instead of getting caught up in thinking about school supplies and the crisp fall days ahead, I want to make the most of the summer we have left by doing the things that only happen in the summer. Inspired by a summer to-do list for kids I saw on Pinterest (which I am totally starting at the beginning of the summer next year and definitely getting my kids to help come up with the list), I decided to make a list of the things I’d still like to do with my kids before summer 2012 is over for good. There is definitely still time to accomplish most of these.
I’m making a commitment to our summer to-do list for the last few weeks of summer (and probably into September). I’m printing it out and posting it in my kitchen for inspiration, especially on the days with nothing on the calendar.
My kiddos, especially my son, are at an age that they are starting to appreciate learning and have a little longer attention span, but I think this is a great concept and can be tailored to any family, any age kids and any time frame.
So here goes:
- Stargazing. We are visiting my parents for a little vacation in an area where the stars are so much brighter and more visible than they are at home. I’m planning to let my 4-year-old stay up late one night to go out and look at the stars. He’ll be amazed.
- Summer time capsule. I love Jenn’s idea at the Clean and Scentsible Blog for creating a time capsule of the Summer of 2012. I think it has the potential to be a summer tradition for years to come!
- Use the pool. While I am pretty sick of slathering on sunscreen and chasing two energy balls around the pool, I think it’s necessary to continue using the pool and getting my kids in the water as much as I can while the weather is still warm. Swimming is a life-skill that they both still need to master and I think the more time we spend in or near the water, the better.
- Practice shoe tying. It’s time. My son is ready and wants to learn. We have more time to focus on it in the summer.
- Line dry the dipes. I always say I love the way my diapers look and feel after drying on the rack in the sun outside, but I can usually find an excuse not to haul them downstairs and outside to actually do it. My to-do list includes getting them out in the backyard, in the sun on a regular basis, before winter makes it impossible.
- Bubbles!
- Visit grandparents. I have still have two living grandfathers. One is almost 101 and the other is 90 and they both live several hours away from us, which makes it difficult to visit them when the rhythm of the school year gets the best of us. I think it’s very important for my kids to get to know their great-grandfathers and important for me to spend time with them, so we’re road-tripping it this summer!
- Watch the Olympics. It’s a great chance to talk to both of my kids about geography, different cultures and especially to expose them to different sports. Not to mention the dedication and physical commitment the athletes have made to their sport and their country. We have the DVR set!
- Nature scavenger hunt. Saw this one on Pinterest too from Chrissy at The Taylor House. Such a great idea, especially while we are visiting my parents in a more remote, rustic part of the country. And will be fun for both my preschooler and my toddler.
- Paint rocks. This is sort of a selfish one, but I’d love a little homemade décor for the garden, so I’m planning to enlist my über-creative kids to get painting, gluing and creating!
- Make s’mores. Preferrably over a campfire.
It’s not a huge list, but definitely doable for the remainder of the summer. Yes, there is still time! What will be on your end-of-summer to-do list?
Sarah is a mom of two and blogs about her adventures in motherhood, cloth diapering and everything in between. Catch her “Cloth Diapering Unwrapped” series on the FuzziBunz blog every week.
