This past week was our “spring break.” I use the term loosely since we homeschool Hailey, but it meant Kaitlyn was with us for the whole week without her usual three morning a week preschool. At first I was a little antsy because we had nothing planned. Unless you count gymnastics class and guitar lessons- not a single thing. Somehow, though, the week filled itself up quite nicely. We played with friends at the park, we saw The Greatest Showman (the girls loved it!), we visited the library, we met new friends, we grew crystals, the girls played in their tree fort.
The week really made me think about the coming summer. Since having kids, I’ve realized summers don’t stretch on and on, like they did when I was a kid myself. Between swim team and friend dates and visiting family and last minute getaways, summer actually seems to fill up quite quickly.
We’ve made summer bucket lists for ourselves these the past few years (2017 and 2016) and though they weren’t anything extravagant, I often found myself trying to cram the listed items into our schedule just for the sake of checking them off. They were yet another to-do list I was trying to accomplish and believe me, I already have plenty of those hanging around.
Those long, lazy summer days of boredom looking to be filled never came (well if one did, it was a welcomed reprieve and we soaked it up). Sometimes I even found myself looking over the list and rushing my kids to hurry so we could make it to XYZ. Hurrying during summer? Why? Just to check that self-imposed box.
So I decided we won’t have a summer bucket list this year. Instead I’m thinking we’ll make a SUMMER IDEA BOX– a box we can decorate and fill with slips of paper of ideas we can do should the illusive summer boredom ever arrive. I think the girls will get a kick out of filling it up with hot weather fun, but then I’ll tuck it away and only pull it out when we are in need of a little inspiration. Instead of having to decide which item to check off, we’ll just reach in and do whatever we pull out!
(edited to add: Hailey and I took on this project as part of school this morning and she was SO excited about it! From decorating the box to filling it with ideas, it was a hit!)
This way we won’t have a list staring us down- just a back-up system ready to fill in any potential lulls.
The truth is for us, summers usually fill up on their own. There is swimming to do, friends to see, zoos to visit, movies to watch, backyards to explore, chores to check off, tennis to play, gardens to tend to, and books to read.
We’ll also be doing some relaxed schooling in preparation for fall, as I’ll have both girls then and-oh!- did I tell you I joined a co-op for next year?! So we’ll be getting to know that crew over summer as well.
I’m enjoying the slow spring warm up and am in no rush to get to summer, but it’s nice to know there is no additional to-do list waiting for me when it does arrive.
What are you looking forward to doing (or not doing) this summer?
What do you love most about summer?
What is challenging about summer?
Sarah says
We loved the “meeting new friends” part of your week! And I am also going to make. box! What a great idea!
(Follow up post idea…what is going in your box?)
Brittany Dixon says
We had such a blast with y’all, Sarah! 🙂
As for the box, I’ll let you know after we make it! Maybe we’ll do it this afternoon? The girls have already started rattling off some ideas- lemonade stand, make Popsicles, visit a splash pad, etc. I think I’m just going to fill it with whatever they come up with!
sherry says
I like the concept of the idea box versus the “to do” list—-fun times ahead!
Lynn says
A great idea!! I know the girls will love decorating their box and filling it up with fun ideas!!
John J. says
A visit to Nana and Papa John’s is always a good idea for the box 🙂
Brittany Dixon says
It was on the top of Hailey’s list! 🙂
Lauren says
This is such a fantastic idea! I’m tucking it away for when Alice gets a little older!
Laura says
Well, now I’m really excited for summer! Summers are night and day for me and my family, since I’m a teacher and get about 8- 9 weeks off. I cherish that time home with my boys, even though I always look forward to the new school year as well (maybe just wish the summer was a couple weeks longer :). I am not much of a planner, really at all, just more big picture ideas, such as camping, hiking, weekends in the mountains at our cabin, experimenting making new ice cream flavors and home brew! As far as the day to day, we usually do one “thing” most days in addition to an hour at the Y about 3 times a week. The other thing could be a hike, the zoo, lunch out, library, water/ splash fountain, walk around town, farmer’s market, etc. We usually decide on this the day of or maybe the day before. Other than that- sleeping in, eating outside, enjoying my break from packing lunches, and lots of time playing in the backyard or walking to the park. My boys are 4 and 2 and we don’t have any scheduled activities yet. Love summer!
Brittany Dixon says
Well now your comment has me excited for warm weather too!! Do you have an ice cream maker? I think we actually do but I haven’t used it in years. Maybe this is the summer to dust it off!
Laura says
Yes, I have my mom’s old Cuisinart, I think she bought in the late 80’s, but still works perfectly! I keep the container in the freezer at all times so it is ready when the mood strikes. One thing we made that I’ve never had, and to my knowledge would be hard to find in the US is chocolate sorbet. It was nothing like I expected, and is actually incredibly rich, like pure chocolate, without the dilution from the cream/ dairy. We also just got a juicer this weekend and have been having fun experimenting, and can’t wait to try with some fresh summer fruits!
Chantal says
This summer I have a list of things to do and places to visit, but nothing set in stone. It’ll be more like… well, we’re free today and why don’t we go visit the museum since we have the time?
Brittany Dixon says
Yes! That is the way to do it, I think. No pressure 🙂
Tracy says
I adore boring summer days! The longer the better 🙂 We’re so busy the rest of the year it’s nice to have an open agenda.
Will you tell us more about the co-op? Dumb question maybe, but I don’t even know what that is!
Brittany Dixon says
That’s not a dumb question at all! Though co-ops are all structured a little bit differently, in general it is a group of homeschooling parents that meet and work cooperatively to achieve a common goal. Co-ops can be organized around academics, social time, the arts, activities, crafts, service work, or projects — or some combination of these. Kind of like a mini-school. In the one we joined, H and K will both be with a group of 8-10 kids their age and a couple of moms that are former teachers will lead two classes (history and science) and the kids will have lunch and playtime together. It’s not meant to take the place of at-home curriculum, but offers a great sense of community and support!
Jen says
With my oldest son playing varsity football, our summer vacations have dwindled down to weeks. They get out of school June 8th and mandatory, 6 day a week practices begin July 23rd. So anything family related for trips or anything get done before that. The 3 younger kids and myself fill our days with pools, beaches, the park and boats, but I’m also the mean mom ;). I am not their entertainer. If they are bored on our home days, it’s up to them to find something to do.
Brittany Dixon says
Yes! I joke that I’m not the cruise director quite often 😉
I don’t think that’s mean at all- It’s healthy!
Erica says
Truth! What a great idea! I seldom had structured summer activities growing up. Maybe girl scouts with the occasional camping trip. Mostly I remember playing hide and seek in our church because my mom worked there part time. But I think back on summers fondly 🙂
montessoriishmom says
I love this! Summer should definitely feel relaxed 🙂 I’m looking forward to taking a family trip to Washington, and going to the beach!
Katie says
I did a super simple “bucket list” last year and I’m going to do the same!
Jodie Flicek says
Also, for what its worth, imagination usually stems from boredom 🙂
Tiffany says
Great idea! It’s always a good idea to have a few tricks up the sleeve. I was worried Spring Break would be dull for us since we didn’t travel, but it was actually great. We had more little buddies around whose school schedules don’t normally align with E’s, so making play dates was a breeze!
Brittany Dixon says
We just hung around for spring break too and it was great!
PS- congrats on your new gig; you’re going to rock it!