4 Activities to Close Out Summer

Tax-Free Weekend is over! School is just around the corner and summer is coming to an end.

Hindsight 20/20 

At the last month of school I asked my children what did they want to accomplish this summer. Three different ideas could fill the entire summer right? It honestly never went as planned... but we did get some of the things checked off. 

Some ideas included:

Sleep in

Play dates with friends

Visit the pool and splash pad

Go to camp

Do Girl Scout activities 

Play video games...quite honestly they did a lot more of that than I wanted to. 

Go visit Park Ranger LB dinosaur stuff

(We didn't get to do this) 

Life happens...

We slept in more than I liked. It took us an entire school year to get to school on time. And here we threw it out the figurative window.  

Each of my children had a play date with thier friend. Some more than others...however the only people we can control is ourself. I can't magically poof things into reality. 

I promised the kids to go to the splash pad. Four children who can't swim against one. Not safe...not cool...pool is not on my top priority list. Dad had to work and babysitter fell through and that is alright. 

However, super disappointing to my kids. So when one of them went to camp I took the other three to the splash pad. Well that was the plan. We got to the splash pad they got overwhelmed and asked to go to the little pool.... where we can all stand. (Well, most of us) What could go wrong? Well, a lot....and really thankful the little pool was not busy and the lifeguards were super attentive. Maybe it was because I kept yelling at them to quit running because they can slip and fall and majority of us can't swim. Eh...who knows. But it's not something I would recommend. Not the splash pad adventure I had planned. But an adventure none the less.

Camp…

Let me count the ways of how the world was ending. It wasn't the first time either of my older children slept away from me. But it was a figurative nightmare to say. My oldest enjoyed it...but all the walking made it not as fun. My second, screamed for 30 minutes because they forgot the air freshener and it was a "miserable" experience. I got my letter from camp. That was my only request...1 letter please.

 Stating "don't pick me up. I am having too much fun. Love you. Bye." It was like the last 30 minutes didn't happen. Where did that child go? She was tired, hot, and hungry. A recipe for disaster. She cooled off and ate...that's what happened. 

Girl Scout Activities…

Thankfully we found a troop that works with our schedule and we were able to attend a coding event at the Apple Store and a few other things this summer. Check. Did it go smooth sailing...oh no it didn't. But we did accomplish activities.

Play Video Games…

Oh how much I dislike their tablets. However, we limit their time. 1 hour during the week and 2 hours on the weekend. Unless they do additional chores. And some days it was like oh please just stop fighting...yes, I will give you more time. Asking myself when does school start? Haha. Thank you school staff. I really do appreciate you. 

Go visit Park Ranger LB dinosaur stuff…

Well mom fail...I told my dinosaur loving then 5 year old that we are moving to Park Ranger LB's state. I thought I read somewhere this is where the T-Rex Ranch was located. When we moved to Texas. 

Thankfully there is A LOT of dinosaur stuff. I made a plan, mapped it all out and started saving. This is been in the works since New Years. 

2 flat tires, 2 bathroom sink floods, and a whole bunch of other life happening happened. We had to push back the trip. At least we should be able to visit when it's not in the triple digits. 

Coffee tin still with the reminder of saving so we can go. We will get there. 

Summer time blues can happen. I didn't get to travel because of life. We couldn't do this or that. Comparison is the thief of joy. *Don't do it* So when asked how can someone located anywhere closeout the summer. I thought what could anyone do anywhere and close summer out. I made a graphic to share.

1. Take a walk outside. Be safe and hydrated. 

2. Stop and look at the scenery. 

3. Don't feel bad for running from one AC building to another. 

4. Make a list from the experience this year and set a goal for next year. 

Before dropping my girls off at Camp. I told them to look at this as a learning experience. What you like and what you don't like. So we can plan for next year. 

How else are you supposed to know you don't like something if you don't try it. 

I mean there is enough reasons why we don't regularly go tent camping. Bugs, heat, no running water to bathrooms. Icky port a John's.  But how are they supposed to find out one would prefer a dance camp over literal cabin camping. 

If you got the summer time blues or want to close it out so to speak....take a walk outside. It doesn't have to be far.  Try to enjoy the colors of the trees or the sun on your skin. You may want warmer weather in the fall or winter. 

Don't feel bad for not "getting outdoors". It's hot outside and some are more sensitive to heat than others. Do not compare yourself to your neighbor, your friend, or the guilt trip person in your life that you don't want to deal with. (That's an entirely separate blog post for a different time) 

Try to be present. Be in the moment and make the most of your days. Even if that means just eating and breathing. 

What is your favorite season?

Email stephaniecreatesblank@gmail.com and tell me what is your favorite season?