I am starting to panic, my maternity leave is going to be over before I know it! I have been so so SO lucky, I started my leave one month before Baby B arrived, so J-man and I had a month together just hanging out before his world changed. He was an "only" child for 4 years due to fertility struggles, so the addition of a baby was going to be huge for him, and I wanted that special time just the two of us! Here in Canada we are lucky to get a year off for our maternity leave, and I decided to use some vacation and overtime owed to me, and turned my mat leave into a 14 month leave. So so lucky. Hard to believe how fast 14 months is flying by.
J-man starts Kindergarten in September, and we have full-day Kindergarten here, so again his world is about to change - from part-time preschool and being home with Mom and Baby B to full-time school like the big kids. It's kind of like his last summer before joining those big kids, I want to make it memorable!
With summer upon us and summer holidays almost here, I thought I had better put together my bucket list for us to do this summer. It's going to be a big list, but I'm one of those jump in with both feet kind of gals...so, here is my SUMMER 2012 BUCKET LIST!
BEACH - we live by a large lake, and are surrounded by beaches, hopefully we will get to a few this summer!
Make Bird Feeders - this is something that J-man did at his daycare and I think it would be fun for us to do together. We love watching all the birds in our yard.
Blow bubbles - I think all kids and most adults love blowing bubbles. It's so fun to watch kids and their fascination with bubbles, and something so peaceful about just blowing them!
Bowling - our son hasn't been bowling before, and one of the bowling alleys here offers free bowling for kids in the summer. Going to have to check that out.
Camp in the back yard - we had hoped to buy a "camping house" this year, but it looks like our plans are on hold for now. So, next best thing...camping in the back yard. I remember doing that as a kid...I wonder how well it would go over for our little man? Pretty sure Mom or Dad would have to be there too!
Date - Every once in a while J-man and I get to go out on a dinner date, just the two of us. We used to do it when my hubby would be out of town, and haven't done it since Baby B arrived. I am hoping we can do that sometime this summer. Maybe for dinner, or maybe for breakfast, that would be different for us!
Drive-In Movie - we are really fortunate to have a drive-in not too far from us. We try to make the trek once each summer for a movie night at the drive-in. Sometimes it is with kids, sometimes without. Hopefully they show a good family movie one night that we can go and see, would love to take J-man to the drive-in!
Farm - Being "city" folk, we don't really get much experience on the farm. Would love to do a little visit to a farm for the learning experience!
Farmer's Market - we have a great Farmer's Market here, and we do try to go every few weeks to check out all the great food and gifts there.
Finger Paint - just plain fun for everyone! Messy yes, but it's a great outside project :-)
Fire Hall - J-man plans to be a fire man when he grows up, and fortunately I happen to have a friend who is a fire fighter here in town. A few years ago we took J-man downto the fire hall and he got a VIP tour, it's probably about time for another tour. And especially since my friend is stationed at another hall, it would be neat to go and see it too.
Fishing - our local regional district offers a "Learn to Fish" program for kids. We took our oldest son to is a few years ago and he loved it, time to do it again!
Garden - we have already started this one...growing our own garden and harvesting it at the right time. We don't have a huge garden, but just enough for the two of us to maintain. We started some things from seed, and we visited a garden centre to pick out some vegetables - J-man picked out eggplant...never cooked it before but it looks like we are growing it this year! We also have lovely flower beds that we planted and are maintaining together.
Golfing - Our oldest got his first set of golf clubs last year (we live in a huge golfing region) and we took him to the driving range a few times. He loved it, and we'd like to encourage him to practice his swing (both at the driving range and in our back yard). He's still too young for the course, but maybe in a few years he can go play his first round!
Go for a Hike - We live in a beautiful valley with amazing hiking areas. Our neighbourhood is on a mountain, and I've never hiked to the top of it, might be a good summer to do it with the J-man!
Fly Kites - One of my favourite memories from spending summer holidays with my grandparents was flying kites. Hope to pass those memories along to our kids!
Make Lemonade - for real. Using fresh lemons. None of the powder stuff. At least once this summer!
Parade - one thing about summer is all the festivals and parades! We will be taking the kids to at least one parade this summer, I am sure of it!
Play Dough - this year through our son's preschool, I had to make many batches of play dough. We didn't get to keep any for ourselves, but I am hoping to make some for us to play with!
Make Popsicles - we love popsicles, especially homemade ones. Can't wait to make more!
Midway - summertime...the fair always comes through our town at least once. As expensive as the rides can be, it sure is memorable for the kids to go and check it out and go on a few rides.
Mini Golf - We have never taken our oldest out for mini golf, would love to do that this year.
Picnic - J-man loves the idea of picnics. We often have a picnic in our backyard. We must do that again this summer. And maybe plan a picnic or two around town. That would be fun too!
Run through the sprinklers - we love to do this at our house. I just love the joy on J-man's face when he is playing in the water. I can't wait!
Safety Village - we have a cool program in our city for little ones to take part in - learning all about traffic rules, road signs, how to cross a road safely...and they have these awesome little pedal cars for the kids to drive!
Build a Sandcastle - how much fun is that?! He builds them in his sandbox, we should do one at the beach too!
Scrapbook - I love to scrapbook and craft, and J-man loves to craft too. I think it would be fun for the two of us to make a scrapbook of "what I did this summer" - help us preserve those memories and I will use it to help him with his writing and reading skills :-) There has to be some learning in all the fun!
Sidewalk Chalk - So MUCH FUN. And we have a great driveway for it. It's like this great big easel just waiting for art!
Swimming - at the beach, at the Y, in a pool, wherever! Swimming is perfect summertime fun.
Treasure Hunt - I think that J-man is old enough for a treasure hunt. Maybe around the neighbourhood, that would be a lot of fun, thinking up clues and wiatching his little mind work to solve them.
Water Fight / Water Balloon Fight - what kid doesn't love a good water fight? Especially when we all gang up on Dad!
Water Park - even with all our beaches, we still have some great water parks here. Hoping to take the kids to at least one this summer.
Yard Sale - we are hosting a yard sale in a few weeks over at my Grandma & Grandpa's house. So J-man will become interested in yard sales. I think it would be fun to take him to one so that he can shop and pick out a little treat!
Calgary Zoo - my in-laws live in Calgary, so hopefully we will make a trip out there this summer and visit the zoo. They have a new penguin exhibit that we are excited to see.
I would love to hear your ideas so that I can add to my list...or put on my list for next year!
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