Today is my kids' last day at their daycare until August. I'm picking them up at noon. I've spent this week wrapping up my school year and preparing myself for the summer ahead. I was to get my haircut this morning, one last errand on my own. Unfortunately, my stylist's child is sick, so that's not happening. The nice part is the 5 hours I've got now all on my own.
I told Hubs this morning I feel like all I do is LAUNDRY. I want so much for this summer to be about more than that. Now that our little guy is three and house broken, I feel more confident to take them out and do more.
I made a calendar similar to what I use at school for the program I coordinate. I put all of our plans on it and also put in outings that I want to take. I picked a day and we will hopefully stick to them. I added in days that I want to do a science experiment or craft also. Not every day is planned out, but I want to make sure that we take advantage of all that the city has to offer. And it offers a lot!
I'm a big believer in unstructured time for kids and just letting their minds wander. There will be plenty of that. I just want to mix in some other activities as well. It's balance that I seek.
Last year, we spent a lot more time at home. Our little guy was just two and I was recovering from the most challenging year I had ever had. We clocked a lot of couch time during all of the rainy days and when the sun did shine, we ventured only as far as our back yard. That was fine at the time, but I'm ready for more now!
Here's what I have so far that we are definitely going to go and do this summer:
- Lauritzen Gardens
- Zing Zang Zoom (the circus!) tomorrow
- A trip downtown to Hollywood Candy and the Children's Museum
- Gondola Rides downtown with a view of the fountain
- Henry Dorley Zoo (a favorite, we go there lots with our annual pass)
- Omaha Farmer's Market
- Strategic Air & Space Museum
- Wildlife Safari
- The water park at Mahoney State Park
- Omaha Royals baseball game
Throw in B's first year of baseball every Saturday, B's summer Spanish class, swimming lessons on Sundays for both kids, Vacation Bible School the last week in June, and a trip to the Black Hills in South Dakota over the 4th of July weekend, and we've got a jam packed summer of fun!
I realize that as the kids get older, their own activities and friends will fill their time. I want to take advantage of the fact that they are all mine this summer and that we can spend it discovering new places together. Our break ends up being 8 weeks when all is said and done and this year each week will hold a new adventure.
What do you have planned for the summer?
9 comments:
We are going to Carlbad Caverns next weekend...YEAH!!! Then we are coming home and putting up our pool (above ground -4 feet) and I am working while TC goes to daycare and ESY. Sara will be home being a typical teen, but she will have chores!
I am in the process of doing exactly what you did, mapping out all the activities I want to do over the summer on a calendar. I feel like I will be more inclined to stick to the plans if they are real plans.
I spent last night looking up all the local splash pads, waterfront activities, gardens, basically all the fun, free stuff I could find.
I hope you and the kids have a wonderful summer, it looks like you are on the right track!
I need to put together a plan as well...I know we want to hit a t-bones game and Royals game, an evening on the ice cream train, and various parks. Plus we struggle with finding time for downtime...so that is a priority for us this summer. I completely agree with what you said on the topic - they need time to just chill and play!
We'll have to hit some of these when we are in Omaha visiting. Never heard of the candy place!
Have fun!
We are building a shed. And going canoeing. That's all I've got planned. Damn. I is a slacker.
Sounds like a lot of fun! One of my PTs just told me she does something fun with her kids every Tuesday. It's "Field Trip Tuesday". I thought that was cool! Enjoy!
You should go to Taste of Omaha this weekend! I know there is great food! :) Plus, there are rides for the kids, as well as musicians and acts. I want to go, because I know one of the stands' proprietor, but I don't know if I'll make it. Have fun at the circus! :)
It sounds like it's going to be a wonderful summer for all of you! Summer is so much better enjoyed, I think, when your kids are bigger, isn't it?!
You can always take the kids to play in the fountains at the First National Tower too. It's free, it's fun, and not only does it make the kids smile, the people who work there who happen to watch when they can smile too.
sounds like you've got a lot of great plans for the summer!
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