June, July, and August - those hazy, lazy days of summer! There is nothing better than a cold glass of fresh lemonade out on the porch on a hot and sunny day. Mmmmmmm!
I love summer. It's that time of year when you can DO all those special things you have been dreaming of DOing all winter. You can curl up in the swing with the newest suspense novel by Kathy Reichs (the one you put on hold from the library a month ago before it was even out in the stores), you can dig out those watercolors or acrylics that have been collecting dust in your craft closet for over six years, you can get on your hands and knees and watch ants move about with your youngest child, you can set the salad and barbeque cookbooks you bought two years ago out on the countertop and try out some recipes, you can collect your icecream pails and head to the local strawberry farm and pick enough strawberries to freeze for the winter months (and you can eat a few along the way too!), and you can just DO! DO anything you want. And it doesn't have to cost a dime.
In the summer, we slow down. The TV is rarely on. We load up on books and magazines from the library. We stay out of the stores (unless we're browsing just for the fun of it). We shop for fresh fruits and veggies from the local farmers or the Farmer's Market. Kids are allowed to be bored (sometimes). Dad is allowed to enjoy the Friday night football game. And mom is allowed to just relax. And when we feel like it, we spend time in the garden, pulling a few weeds, and harvesting the swiss chard, baby potatoes, dill, kholrabi, beets, carrots, and tomatoes. Dad will fire up the barbeque and cook whatever has been marinating in the fridge all day long. The kids will call up some friends and organize a ball game or shoot a few baskets at the school. I love them - the hazy, lazy days of summer.
Do we stay at home all summer? Not at all. The kids will take swimming lessons, we will go camping in the area, we will explore the museums, the parks, the beaches, and even make a trip out to our local bird sanctuary. 
The kids will choose where we go sometimes, and mom and dad will choose where we go sometimes. We'll probably enjoy more icecream than we should LOL. This year, we are off to a family reunion near my husband's home town (a 14-hour drive - YIKES!). It will be the first time our kids meet my husband's cousins and their children. Some of my family is coming out to visit us. As well, my husband and I have a trip to Seattle planned just for us later this summer.
This summer, take the time to enjoy those hazy, lazy days. With a little bit of planning and a little bit of creativity, you can find ways to turn the entire summer into a holiday, a vacation. And it doesn't matter whether you have to work full time, or part time, or you stay at home full time, the treasures of summer fun are out there waiting for you and your family to discover!
Take care of you,
Cindy
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The "ANTI-Are We There Yet" Activity Sheets!
Our family loads up on many things to keep us busy during those long road trips, but every once in awhile, no matter how well you planned, that dreaded backseat chant of "Are we there yet?" can sneak into your vehicle. That's when I pull out my secret weapon - the "Anti-Are We There Yet Activity Sheets". Enjoy!
These are PDF Files. Some of these files may take a few minutes to load (be patient). You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view them. If you are having trouble, we have the GIF files posted below. They are not as clear, but they will work too.
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Rediscover Summer Fun - VACATION at home FIRST!
The Mini-Vacation: These are perfect for those days that just don't go as you would have liked. The boss was cranky, the kids were cranky, and you were cranky. Three crankies in a row makes for one tough day! Time for a little rest and relaxation. Time to DO something just for you. Let the kids watch a quick video. Or set them up with a craft on the kitchen table. Ask your husband to watch the kids and then head off for a mini-vacation!
- The Weekender: The obvious extension of SHOP at home FIRST, is VACATION at home FIRST. Check out all the great ideas for holiday fun that are right in your area! Many of them won't even cost a dime! We also included a list of "essential supplies" for exploring your home town.
Rediscover Summer Fun - Hitting the Road!
Let's hit the road!
Before You Leave: Your greatest travelling savings are going to occur BEFORE you even leave home. Some research, a few phone calls, and a little bit of planning will get your holiday off to a great start!
Camping Checklist: We like to camp. We did the tenting thing when the kids were first born, and after the huge rainstorm that flooded the tent and filled up the playpen (you had to be there), we did the trailer thing. For many years, our trailer and our family went everywhere together. And when you have little ones, there is nothing better than having them tucked until a warm dry bed in a trailer during a rainstorm. One year, we even celebrated Thanksgiving in our trailer. The turkey tasted great, but my husband had a terrible time pulling the trailer out of the snow drift (long story). Today, we are back to enjoying our tent. We have a huge tent. Fits about six people and two dogs (or ten screaming 11-year olds during a sleepover - won't do that again LOL). The kids know how to set up the tent on their own. In fact, when it is time to camp, we print out our list, give it to the kids and they put everything together we need. (Note: this is a PDF File)
A Holiday Hodge Podge : A collection of wonderful activities and cost saving ideas from our members!
The Anti-Are We There Yet Activity Sheets (GIF Format): The GIF files are not as clear as the PDF files, but they will work too.
Scavenger Hunt #1
Scavenger Hunt #2
Scavenger Hunt #3
Have a wonderful summer everyone. Remember, memories are made of the things you DO, not the things you BUY!
Take care,
Cindy
