A Mom's Summer To-Do List

I woke up this morning and realized there are only TWO weeks left of August … yikes! What that really means is two weeks left of summer. Two weeks left before the girls go back to school. Two weeks left of sleeping past 6:30am, slow mornings, no rushing, and late evenings with family and friends. Two weeks of a relaxed schedule.

This also means there are only two weeks to finish my Summer 2011 To-Do List. Two weeks left to cram it all in.

I first began making a “Summer To-Do List” in the summer of 2000. It was the summer before I got married, and having been a list-maker my whole life, I knew it was the only way to get everything done on time for the wedding.

I love my lists. I love making a check on the list when something is completed. But most important is the instant gratification. Ahh … love the feeling of having actually accomplished something. CHECK OFF. Much like my organizing … but, I digress …

Since I've become a mother, my Summer To-Do List usually consists of about 15-20 things I want to try and do in two months. A combination of fun/summery/outdoor things and some more serious educational/life experiences. Some are for me alone – like exercise more – while others include my family. Some are repeats each summer, like “go to Harvey’s Beach” and some are things I want my family to try for the first time. And some are just personal, things I want to accomplish.

This list doesn’t layout my plan for the whole summer (doesn’t include vacations and family events) but does helps me remember and schedule things I always say I want to do or try, such as “plant a vegetable garden with the girls” and “make homemade ice cream.” Can’t making homemade ice cream be fun and educational?

Each June I begin my list, and then add to it as the summer goes on and I think of more things. This year, for the first time, I also had each of my girls write their own lists as well, figuring they probably had their own ideas of what they would like to do this summer. My little one’s list of four items was pretty much standard five year old summer fun: park; fair (with rides and games); bouncy house and roller coaster. I love my eight year old’s list, typical also for her age: school playscape; ride bike every day; jump rope; have a lemonade stand, and PJ Day (a day when we all stay in PJ’s, don’t get dressed and don’t leave the house). LOVE it.

Both girls' list are checked off (well except for the roller coaster ride … need to get on that), but looking back on my list, I see that I have a ways to go to catch up. But I also see that we HAVE accomplished a lot this summer, such as:

1) Spend all day at Harvey’s Beach (Old Saybrook). We've been twice this summer, loved it both times.

2) GNO on Deck – definitely more than once (should get extra credit for this one).

3) Plant a vegetable garden with girls.

4) Eat more fresh fruits and vegetables (always on my list, try harder each summer).

5) Write more (on regular basis), and

6) Join a Writer’s Critique Group- YES to both!

7) Have girls read more – set aside a time each day to read.

8) More date nights with hubby – well, have tried, succeeded twice this summer.

Okay, so I haven’t finished my entire list, but am feeling pretty good about what we have done in one-and-a-half months. I may still have half of my list unchecked, but I am starting to walk more, and the girls and I already have our
mani/pedi/lunch day scheduled for next week. And who says I can’t plan a monthly family volunteer day, outdoor concert, family picnic, and water sliding adventure in the next 14 days?

Just to warn you … if you are in the neighborhood and see me running while eating homemade ice cream, don’t laugh, PLEASE. I’m trying to squeeze it all in!