Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Summer Notes to Myself

Ahhh, summer!
Lazy days and dreamy nights!
I am SO ready!
The formal school year is over and thoughts of summer outings, fun projects and relaxing days fill my head!
And since I'm a list maker, I made a little list with notes to myself of things we can do to make this a FUN summer!

1) Invite swimming company-slice up watermelon and make homemade iced tea lemonade.
2) Visit the local Farmer's market-grill up local veggies for Saturday night BBQ and make fresh berry shortcake for dessert. Invite company.
3) Freeze fruit and yogurt into popsicles.
4) Organize a summer craft box for crafting outside at any given time.
5) Visit the local parks, large or small-keep a cooler in car for drinks and snacks, a pair of binoculars for bird watching, a blanket and a ball.
6) Make homemade ice cream
7) Go to the beach! Make homemade natural sunscreen, make sure baby has her sunhat, construct a 'beach' tent for shade!  Bring lots of water and snacks, and a great summer read!
8) Sign up for the library summer reading program and participate in all the summer programs that they offer!
9) Organize the 'lawn' games-bocce, whiffle-ball, horseshoes, volleyball, etc.  Invite company for a tournament.
10) Give the kids ideas: make a fort, put on an outdoor play-make tickets-invite an audience-make popcorn, paint rocks, make flower crowns, set up a lemonade stand, help your mama with a few chores in the morning, etc.
11) Have a  midsummer night dinner party-tell everyone to wear white, string white lights in the tree branches, light candles, have the hubby grill fish and vegetables.
12) Go camping-bring bikes
13) Eat breakfast on the front porch, sing praises with the birds!
14) Bring the kids fishing out on the boat.
15) Have hubby bring ME out on the boat.
16) Visit the local botanical gardens-pack a picnic!
17) Go to the 4th of July parade, decorate t-shirts, see the fireworks!  BUY fireworks!
18) Visit the local fairs.
19) Go golfing, play tennis, rollerblade, jumprope, play hopscotch and four-square.
20) Work on a summer project-create a new garden spot, build a fort, help out a neighbor, etc.
21) Make summer pies! Peach is my favorite! Serve with homemade ice cream or real whipped cream!
22) Dig in the dirt! Plant a few vegetables, a few new perennials.
23) Let the local Robin build her nest in the hanging flowering basket-watch her babies grow up!
24) Have a midnight snack outside and watch the fireflies, gaze at the stars, count our blessings!
25) Hang up a hammock, make outdoor summer pillows, hang a breezy canopy, enjoy the outdoors!

Here are some local summer events we would like to get to:
~Library programs
~Hamburg Family Fun Fest-June 13-15
~Fireworks at Kensington MetroPark-June 16
~Michigan Philharmonic Symphony 'An American Salute' free concert at Kensington MetroPark at 8:00 pm-June 22
~Outdoor weekly concerts in local towns.
~Howell Balloonfest-June 22-24
~Local waterski shows-Silver Lake, etc.
~Fowlerville Family Fair-July 23-28
~Colonial Kensington-Kensington MetroPark-August 11-12 Free
~Rodeo-Gaines, Michigan-July, Coldwater, MI- August 10
~Howell Melon Fest-August 17-19
~Selfridge Air Show-around 3rd weekend in August

If you have any other ideas, I would love you to share with me!
I hope your summer is blest with family, faith and friends!