Thursday, May 28, 2009

A Change of Pace


Summertime has officially arrived in these parts. Maybe not according to the Earth's calendar, but according to our school calendar. One week ago was the last day of school. It feels odd to begin summer vacation in May, but it is wonderful to get enough sleep each night. I've been spending a lot of time this week working on my blog, not that you can tell it. My head is bubbling with ideas and I have about 12 partially completed posts. I've also reorganized the garage, begun to deal with mammoth piles of paper that seem to gather during the school year, put together Sloane's first grade memory book, started Sloane on her summer reading program, and more. Best of all, I've read 4 books. And that's just during the Me Time.

In June, we have summer school for Sloane, which is much more like summer day camp, complete with trips to the pool and the amusement park. We have a trip to Oregon in July. Other than that, we have a lot of time to just be. To play, to read, to laugh, to explore. Sounds like heaven doesn't it? My version anyway.

My chore for this afternoon is to create a loose schedule for our summer. I've told you before that I'm a girl who likes schedules and loves lists. I find that if I am somewhat organized, things happen. Otherwise, the creeping laziness of summer sets in. Of course I want summer to be full of long lazy days full of play and laughter, water and books. I want it to be a time of exploring and memory making for our family. I got to thinking that most of you probably felt the same way. And so, I offer you two things.

A brief list:
Summer Fun List

~ road trips ~ zoo class ~ rainy day movie marathon ~ Koolaid Popsicles ~ naps ~ hammocks ~ book lists ~ slip n slide ~ participating in the library programs ~ drive in movies ~ water fights as you wash the car ~ backyard gardening ~ trips to the Farmer's Market ~ days at the pool ~ hikes back to a cold water creek for a dip ~ chasing fireflies ~ baseball ~ fireworks ~ picnics ~ growing your own salads~ girlfriend dates~ finally getting to that item that's been on your To Do List since last September ~

And a question:
What did I miss? Please tell me some your favorite summertime activities.




I believe this vintage image came from an art journaling workshop I did last summer. Not sure. Sorry.

29 comments:

beth said...

I love lists too....SO MUCH !!
and I like to make plans....I like to plan to make plans...

and the only thing I would add....to sit at the top of a hill overlooking a park or a stream or a more hillsides and do nothing but blow bubbles...

I hope your summer is absolutely beautiful !!

Joanne said...

I love your philosophy, which not enough parents follow - "we have a lot of time to just be. To play, to read, to laugh, to explore." Kids don't seem to know how to fill unstructured time, it's so great that you're setting a wonderful example to just be in the moment, with books, walks, KoolAid! Kudos to you.

Cam said...

A sidewalk chalk art exhibit...

My favorite on the list is the drive-in. We had one in the town next to ours, and it was a short drive down the highway. Now, I'm not sure where to go. But, you just gave me something for my To Do list today!

Have fun, Relyn! I know you will!!

dulcy said...

You missed a day out with ME!! Thanks for checking in with me, and your offer (I'll take you up on that, the gift idea). Also, visual journaling is lots of fun! Just choose a word, and interpret it visually. I tend to collage with photos and paint. I think your idea would be awesome! Well friend, I miss you and let's plan a date soon.

xo
dulcy

Char said...

I love lists - where is catch fireflies?

christina said...

I look forward to this time of year also. I am going over a few papers and then we are free. Although I think my two students are already on summer vacation in the mind. lol

I love list.
Making wild berry muffins. ; )

jae said...

We're not out until next week. The only thing I would add to your list is sitting outside late with a summery drink. I wish we had fireflies here!

Ragamuffin Gal said...

Your list sounds great!!! I can't wait to be some small part of it! Love you my friend, Katie

Mrs. E said...

I'm out now, too!! Isn't it wonderful?! (I've read 3 books myself.) Your list sounds wonderful. Slip n slides...great fun when my girls were little. You might throw in a s'more or two!! I look forward to more posts!

Anonymous said...

i love lists. this is the kind of thing i make too. you need to add lying under a shady tree, making daisy chains :)

Meri said...

How did you find the wherewithal to reorganize the garage? I need to do that, but every time I go in there, I turn back around and go in the house.

Jeanne said...

I love you
Life is short make FUN of it
Love and kisses

spread your wings said...

wow you've already accomplished so much. i would say it's time to just have fun the rest of the summer.
i don't make list. My daughter however, is a big list maker and very organized too. I think i'll put her to work this summer organizing our basement.
summer: camping, campfires and marshmallows, family reunions, hammock naps, road trips, daisies on the table, more photo adventures, bubbles, sidewalk chalk...

Marilyn Miller said...

This morning is was time to sit in the yard with a pot of tea and read magazines that have piled up.

What a productive first week. If you make it to Portland you could join me in a cup of tea in my backyard.

Jaime said...

You guys get three months of summer holidays??? Wow! We still have a month to go...which I am grateful for. I don't think I could pay the rent if I had three months off!
Your list has all the wonderful essentials. My list will include munching on lots and lots of watermelon. And a trip to France!!! My first trip overseas..wooo hoooo!!
xoxo

Jeanie said...

You have a lot of my favorites! Sitting on the beach and doing art is certainly at the top of my list! Loved the image you used -- yes, it does say summer!

d smith kaich jones said...

My very favorite summer activity is watching the stars at night - from a hammock, or in a boat on the lake. The doing of nothing sounds wonderful. Your list pretty much covers it all.

:) Debi

Susan Tuttle said...

what a perfectly delicious summer you have planned! Sounds like you are relishing every minute!:)

I loved your lilac story -- it was very moving:)

xo

Sharon Rose said...

Love this post! To do lists. . . I love everything on your list. When my son was little we enjoyed trips to the Zoo, waterpark, local parks and playgrounds. Now that he is grown, we get the family together and hike, canoe, picnics at each other's home. . .
Have a wonderful summer!

Sharon Rose said...

Relyn, Stop by my place and pick up a gift I left there for you.

Deanna Bland Hiott PhD, MSN, RN said...

Perfect list; I hope y'all have a perfect summer to go with it! :)

My Castle in Spain said...

ah...growing my own salads...if only..
your list is quite complete: naps, picnics..

let me see, this morning i just bought a parasol to go to the beach tomorrow and a white straw hat..
yes, in summer i like spending sometime on the beach, just a few hours and read

have a great week end Relyn!
xoxo

Unknown said...

Hi Relyn,

Hope you manage to include all of your favourite activities during the break.

For me, my childhood memories always include holidays at the seaside with a bucket and spade. We went to the same resort for years but it was always exciting to begin the holidays!

caren said...

Relyn ~ Thanks for visiting me - seems like we haven't heard from each other in a while. I too love lists - the only problem is getting things done! My summer activities are to get home things accomplished that I have been putting off far too long and to BE!

Kirsten Steen said...

Yayyyy! Summer vacation is here! And glad to have you back from your "other" world. So, don't forget hiking (for the grownups) and the water slide park (for the kids)!
Whatever you do, am wishing you the best of everything every single day of your vacation!
Kirsten

Wendy said...

This is totally off topic, but I want to be one of those girls in the picture. That's what I want to be when I grow up.

We haven't really started our summer fun activities BUT last weekend we made a trip in the rain to feed the carp at the marina which is a HUGE success with my boys. Today we did a picnic by the river and looked for crawdads and turtles and frogs. And nobody fell in which is a great accomplishment.

Jessica said...

Your summer list is PERFECT. I am just starting to begin my summer list that includes berry picking, frolicking barefoot, watching sunsets, and eating sorbet.

Sandy K. said...

Hello! I flopped on a chair by your fire after a whirlwind day and am enjoying the conversation:). I also am starting my own list. I love travel and time with family and sailing and reading in a hammock. I love writing time and photography time and not hurrying. I love the warm breeze on my skin, blowing my hair. Enjoy!

Dutchbaby said...

Congratulations! You made it through another year. You blessed another classroom of lucky children with the Relyn Touch. The world thanks you!

Have a fantastic summer!!!

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