The first week of June has been filled with the anticipation of summer. It’s my favorite season and I love to plan, so it’s been fun for me to daydream about making jam, berry picking, outdoor obstacle courses, and plenty of swim play dates. In truth I’m also pretty anxious (but when am I not?) This will be my first summer with kids that I’ve not been employed nor had full time childcare. To say it will be a challenge is an understatement. I know enough not to have unrealistic expectations of a “perfect summer” (although, picking daisies with Finn this week was already pretty perfect). Of course there are plenty of ways I want to make it fun, make memories, and a balance of both productivity and slowness. These tips from Everyday Reading have been super helpful as guideposts. And even with these reminders I will still make an insanely long and unachievable summer bucket list, because a mom can dream. (I did accomplish a few items from my fall list!)
In the meantime, this is the running list I have kept in my digital note pad all week, here for the sharing:
June kicked off with a 70th birthday bang, featuring breakfast cake. Branding this “healthy” bread as cake meant it was devoured instantly by the kids. The copious sprinkles didn’t hurt either! (Note: Reduce baking time as it came out a little dry at 25 minutes.)
How I’ll use up my pallet of Costco nectarines
Summer breakfasts are covered. Gotta get that natural dopamine from protein first thing!
A father's day book, but for me
This post is chock full of fantastic reading routines to implement this summer. I love Sarah’s ideas of morning time, bath time, tea time, and more! And I love that her goal is to make sure her children feel loved and important, and maybe (bonus!) become lifelong readers with the tools to live a purposeful life. What more could you want?
A great summer essentials list from a prepared mom. I’ve already set out the jumbo pump by the front door.
Boymom author on how we can counteract the epidemic of loneliness for our sons
I could spend all day scouring this list of summer picture books
For the many days I don’t feel like waging sunscreen battles, enter the UPF 50+ hoodie
Luckily they don’t fight me on wearing hats
Gus would absolutely love Safety Town camp. Trying to make it happen for him and us.
French girl summer ahead watching these, wearing this and sniffing these (while baking the real thing)
For summer workout motivation - ribbed leggings
Inspired by this mom’s intersection of caregiving and creativity
You had me at "croissants not from Costco"