Summer is running through my fingers like sand at the beach. Soon we will be back to the hustle and bustle of school with homework, sports and meetings. We start the new school year excited and ready to go. You can feel the holidays in the near distance. WAIT! I’m not ready for the pool, long warm days and no school to be gone. There is still time to get some summer in before it’s just a memory.
If you really thought about it, did you take the time to do those things you wanted with your family and friends? When you look back on summer of 2015 did you fill it with memories? Okay most of us didn’t so let’s do something about it. Most camps are over along with most commitments you made early on. So now make a plan to do things your family and friends will remember. Have a party, go on a short day trip or go visit family you haven’t seen in a while. I for one will be planning days with each of my children to make them feel special for a day. We aren’t doing anything over the top just lunch and a little shopping. I wanted to make them feel special and loved with one on one time. It really isn’t about the big trip or the over the top vacation it’s about looking your family in the eyes and making them remember that summer you took the time to love them. I promise you will remember that above all other things and so will they.
Okay so now you are thinking what in the world can I do on no budget, little time and a with family that gets bored easy. Here are some great ideas.
Art night: You knew that would be first on my list. Go online and find an art project everyone will be able to do. Make an invitation – yes even if it’s just for your kids and husband. If you would like include another family, the more the merrier. Gather your supplies and maybe even decorate the table a bit to make it more festive. Have special snacks and treats for those that come. Take lots of pictures and videos.
Dinner and Movie: Have each person in your family write on a small piece of paper their favorite movie and favorite place to eat. Pick nights on the calendar in the number of how many family members you have. Put all the little pieces of papers in a jar on the scheduled night pick one person’s movie choice. That person gets take out from their favorite place and their favorite movie with the family. Continue this until every member has had a special night.
These are only a couple of things you can do to make the end of summer something special. If you have a kiddo going off to college pick a day to do some funny family pictures. You see the list of things to do could be endless but the point is putting in the time for the memories. I have a friend tell me she wanted to take the time to teach her daughter photography before our art show at school but just ran out of time. The art show entries were due in just 2 days. I told her it was fine grab her camera before school and take her daughter out in the yard for a short lesson and time together. She did just that and her daughter was so happy with her entries. We all think that everything has to be so over done. When really the simpler it is the better things go. So when planning a family get together make it fun but simple.
As summer fades away and fall is in the future we need to make sure we plan our days and weeks so not to get over whelmed. I for one would like more time with those I love instead of rushing from one event to another. My family is what and who I am I love them so dearly. I was stressed because my husband planned a trip the weekend before school started. As that trip gets closer I realized he did this to spend a few days with me before the madness starts. He is so great like that, always doing little things I sometimes don’t see until later. I know I’m a very blessed girl to have him. Before the new school year starts decide how you want the year to go, what are the plans and things you want to accomplish for your family. Most of all make sure this is a Blue Happy year!
