The Perfect (SIMPLE) Summer

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It’s almost here. The kids are out of school, your pin boards are loaded with all the ways to have the most wonderful summer ever. You’re going to make homemade play dough, take lots of trips to amusement parks, and go on an awesome family vacation to somewhere amazing. You plan to picnic on the patio every night, and spend your days laughing and playing with your children in the pool.

I get it. It’s the end of May and even though my baby’s got several years before he starts school I’ve got lofty plans for our perfect summer too. But we both know in the blink of an eye it’ll be August and neither one of us got around to making the play dough… and the other stuff? Well, life has a way of getting in the way.

Let’s keep it simple this summer. Forget about all the amazing things you’ve pinned, forget about the things you see your friends doing on Facebook and take the time to sit down with your family and create a summer bucket list. Pick a few things as family you want to do and write them down. Not too many or you’ll get overwhelmed. Keep them where everyone can see them and check each item off as you accomplish it. This is a great way to unify your family and teach your kids about goal setting in a fun way. Some of my favorite summer memories as a kid was going out to the country in the middle of the night to watch a meteor shower, or how my mom would read us a few chapters from a novel we had picked out before we went to sleep, or fishing on vacation with my dad. Simple things, but memorable and meaningful. I can’t wait to pass them on. If I felt compelled to accomplish every trendy thing I saw on Pinterest, things like stargazing and fishing could get lost in the shuffle. I say we cherish our lazy, restful moments and let them serve as a peaceful filler between the highlights of our summer.

I’ve designed three printables for your bucket listing pleasure. Pick whichever design suits your taste and get together with your family to set some fun and attainable goals for this summer.  Again, think simple. Pick just a few that would really mean a lot to your family. You could even go a step further and print one out for your kids too. Help them set personal goals and let them hang them in their room. This has the potential of being both adorable and hysterical–plus they will love to look back at these lists when they are older.

If none of these designs work for you, then make your own. Write it on a chalkboard, or buy some pretty stationary. Just make sure you write it down, put it where everyone can see it and feels like they were a part of the process.

What’s on your bucket list for this summer? And hey, if you let your kids write their own and it happens to be hilarious, send it our way. We’d love to see and share them with our readers!

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Nicah Lowry
Hello! I’m a single mom living in Norman, Oklahoma. First and foremost, I am “Mama” to my sweet little boy (Locke-10 months). I love all things festive and creative, and I’m happiest when I’m making pretty things. These days it’s a little trickier to find time to create. But when the bath has been given, the stories and prayers have been said, and when Baby is all snug in his bed, you can find me at my computer. It’s during this rare and fleeting downtime when I can get my ideas down and into my shop, etsy.com/shop/nicahlowrydesign. You can also follow me on Instagram at nicahlowrydesign where I post my newest work and anything that happens to inspire me or makes me happy.

3 COMMENTS

  1. Hi Nicah, could we share your great piece on our Social Media sites? We’re a startup micro-diary website whose primary value is our belief that EVERY MEMORY MATTERS. Actually, the whole inspiration for us was keeping family and parenting memories alive– all other memories just followed. Your piece really highlights what we believe in and would love to feature it for our fans and followers. Thanks!

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