I’m always unsure when to officially celebrate the beginning of summer. Do I celebrate the start of summer break, or do I hold out until the Summer Solstice? I guess since we homeschool I could certainly keep schooling until the summer solstice just to make it less confusing, but I’m not sure my kids would be on board for that! Whenever you feel like summer kicks off it is certainly something to celebrate! When you think of summer what comes to mind? What are the best parts…longer days? a slower pace of life? road trips? pool days? s’mores? ice cream? popsicles?…whatever you enjoy about summer, let’s celebrate it! Set aside sometime to do the little things that you truly love and look forward to each summer. I believe there is so much joy to be found when we focus on what we enjoy instead of wishing the season away!
The guide includes tons of fun ideas for activities, memory making, days to celebrate, recipes, ideas for living liturgically and traditions to begin. I hope you find a few ideas that inspire you to try something new or remind you of a fun activity or outing you look forward to every summer!
I know that life can be very busy, and for many people and families it feels like there isn’t enough time in the day to do everything we feel we have to do, let alone squeeze in extras. I never want these guides or ideas to feel like something impossible that you can’t pull off. Here are some tips that might make memory making and celebrating more do-able for you and you:
- Start Small. If you want to be intentional about adding some celebrations and memory making to your life, then do a quick evaluation of your current schedule. Look for pockets of time that might be dedicated to these types of activities. Pick one or two areas where you could create routines around joy list activities. Maybe you have Saturday mornings free and want to start a mini-adventure Saturday where you choose an outing or activity to do together. Or maybe you start with one Saturday morning a month. If you want to add some festive treats you could pick a day of the week and plan to have a fun treat/snack on that day, “fun treat friday” would certainly be a hit. Add a special read aloud outside time, or pick an evening to stay up a teeny bit later and play a game together.
- Make it Doable. If you know that you have limited time to dedicate to these endeavors then be extra choosey with what you put on your list. Choose activities that will bring the family together and bring joy with the least amount of work.
- Put it on the Calendar. Spend a little time penciling in activities and celebrations on the calendar. Once it’s on the calendar it is easier to plan and prepare for! You will be able to grab items that you might need from the store on your regular grocery run.
- Don’t be afraid to be spontaneous. Ordinary activities can feel extra special if they are unexpected! Going for a walk in pajamas will feel silly and special if you thought you were headed to bed!
- Add to your routines. It can be easy to add a little excitement into the routines we are already doing. Meals can be an easy one to add too…take a meal outside because it’s nice out, or have hot dogs because it’s national hot dog day. Play a summer playlist while you cook dinner.
- Let some things go. It’s my personal philosophy that it is okay to let the laundry sit another day. Yes, things have to be done, but I have found that if I try to wait until all my to-do list items are done to add in fun that I never get around to the fun!
Don’t let the fear of not pulling it all off stop you. Start with a small list, and if you don’t get it all done, or even half of it done, don’t worry about it. If you have one more laugh, smile, hug or joyous moment together this month than you would have otherwise, I’d say that’s a win!
Download the free guide and print whatever pages you want to use! I hope you find a little inspiration and your family is blessed by any activities and celebrations that you may add!
Happy Summering
Meg
