Friday, May 30, 2008

Preparing for Summer

We are only two-thirds through Spring and I think all of us over here are begging for summer to finally come. Once today is completed, the kids have three and a half more days to go. I don't know how many more days of moaning and groaning at 7:15 am I can take. They are done! Completely ready to be done with this school year.

I have been busily preparing myself for my kids to be home. I absolutely love this time of year as the weather warms up (or is supposed to...I think). For good reasons, the last couple of years I haven't felt prepared as I would like. I like to take the time to think about what I want summer break to look like for my kids. I learned many years ago that if I don't plan, then nothing happens. (or maybe better stated that I am overwhelmed by everyone being home and running around in ten different directions)


I used to think that I wanted summer days to be long and care-free for my kids as they seemed for me. As kids we would leave the house after breakfast and it seemed we didn't return until dinner. But as I think about it, it is not that we didn't go back in the house, it's that there was nothing indoors that we wanted to do or that was calling for our attention. We certainly didn't have any type of video games and kids television programs were not on during the day. Even as a teenager, there were no computers or cell phones. So, we headed outside to swim, ride bikes, run through the sprinklers, ride the bus to the beach, and most days wait for the ice cream truck to drive by so that we could spend the change we had made from turning in pop bottles.


As I think back through the years, I have made it my personal responsibility to be our family's event coordinator of summer memories and fun. (I wish I could come up with a better title for myself) It is more than activity planning or vacation coordinator. It has been a secret personal goal of mine to create unforgettable memories so that the kids will go back and talk about them for years to come. Memories from time spent together and the crazy adventures we have tried have brought much dinnertime laughter.


Just yesterday while out running errands with Kelsey (13), she said, "mom, I have a great idea for making memories", "what's that I asked", "let's have ice cream for dinner one night a week." I told her that would be a great idea. So, we may have ice cream sundaes, shakes, and root beer floats on our dinner menu. And I can tell you this, my kids will never forget the summer we ate ice cream for dinner.

to be continued...

11 comments:

Susanne said...

Summer is sometimes hard around here as I still have to keep dayhoming. But the couple of weeks I have off I do try to do special things with the kids. I also try to do picnic suppers as much as possible. It's amazing how just making suppers more simple and throwing it in a cooler is so much better.

Linda said...

Oh Chris - I just may come and spend the summer with you guys!! I find myself longing to get out of the "same old" rut. I am sure your efforts to create wonderful memories will yield great dividends. And ice cream suppers once a week sound like a great idea. Your daughter is very clever!

Laura said...

I scream for ice cream! Do you have room at the table for a few more??? A lovely post. We too are done (D_O_N_E) with school! My boys can't get to sleep at night and won't get up in the morning. Funny, I seem to have the same problem. I read your post over at Becoming Me and thought you had the nicest eyes...
Have a great summer!
laura

Mrs.Naz@BecomingMe said...

A weekly icecream for dinner night? You are one fun mom!

Diana said...

"event co-ordinator of memories and fun' WOW! that sounds like an awesome title to me. What a great idea, it does seem that if we don't plan some things, then they never happen. Go for it, Chris!

Anonymous said...

Oh I love it. I really want to have plans for the summer, too. My very first thing will be to pack up the Wii and put it away. I hope you'll keep us posted on different things you plan, I'd love some ideas. Ice cream for supper is an excellent start!

And I hear you on the kids being done with school. Mine sure are, and they don't get out till June 10. Just one more week to go...

Cyndi said...

Do you watch "John and Kate Plus 8?" That was what they did last week... have ice cream for dinner. They do that once a summer or something. I'm ALL over that idea!! I say let's all rock "Menu Plan Monday" with Ice Cream Dinner. :)

And, you are SUCH a fun mom. I want to be one of your kids. Even though I think I'm older than you. ;)

Heth said...

This is a great post Chris. Hang on tight, summer's almost here. Bring on the ice cream!

Melissa said...

I like Kelsey's way of thinking!

I remember those days of summer, and miss them. They were good times.

My girl is over school, too. 9 days left for us. I can't wait. She'll be staying at home with Dad some, and then at daycamp some while I work. We get to spend many evenings watching Dad play softball, and hopefully we'll be able to spend quite a bit of time on the newly done front porch.

Speaking of...did you do anything with yours?

Mocha with Linda said...

Wow, you rock! I'd never even think to do something like that! I need to be more intentional about our summers. I'm usually so exhausted like the kids and just ready to veg for a bit, and then it easily gets away from us.

Stop by my blog for a treat! :-)

Amie said...

You have sparked an interest in me with this post...LOVE IT! I think I will go make a summer calendar today!