I'm so excited about today's post!  For a few reasons -- first, we had a great time creating it and second, it's a post about SUMMER!

For the past few weeks, we've been working on our Summer Adventure List - a.k.a. the summer bucket list. 

We've created a list of fun things to do during summer for the past 12 years.  Once my oldest turned 4, he had a lot of ideas for things he wanted to do and places to visit during summer vacation.  About the same time, my husband and I realized that we wanted to experience a variety of things with our kids while they were still young.  So, we started our annual tradition.

Most years, we just have a list, sometimes colorful or worthy of a place on the fridge, but mostly it's just a list of fun things we'd like to do (along with a few new things to learn too).

But this year, we got creative!

I'm so excited that we are finally seeing some spring weather!  We are so past due - and it's cutting into our gardening schedule. 

I'll admit, I am not one of those amazing Martha Stewart-type gardeners, but I really do enjoy having a small backyard garden each summer.  The kids and I choose a few favorite plants along with some new items to try each year and then we get dirty, watch the plants grow and reap the harvest (literally!)

Have you ever done something brilliant (I mean absolutely amazing!) but you just didn't realize it until years later?

I recently had one of those moments last month but it didn't start as happy as it ended.

 

 

Are you working on any family goals (or resolutions) for 2013? 

When we were PK (pre-kids), all those resolutions looked different -- get in shape, get a promotion, complete a few DIY projects.

But (as the experts say) 'kids change everything'! :-)

 

The countdown is beginning - how will you bring in the New Year with your family? 

Kids love a celebration (although most won't stay awake long enough to see the ball drop in Times Square) so we've pulled together a list of ideas to enjoy throughout the day!

 

 The holidays are so much fun, but can also be so busy.  And I know there are things my kids love to do at this time of the year (and also activities they'd rather skip in lou of more holiday fun)!

 

I am always looking for ways to make things a little less hectic – because I really don’t need one more thing to remember during the holidays (watering the tree every day is about all I can handle!).

So when faced with the decision of whether to allow a traveling elf to visit our house during the holidays, I had to say no!

 

"Fall back" is this Saturday -- yep, daylight savings time. 

I was recently thinking it would be great to have some extra time; and then I realized, we get an extra hour this weekend!

 

 

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When's the last time your kid looked under a rock? 

Fall is the perfect time to head outdoors and enjoy the foliage, the weather and time with each other! 

Grab the kids and head out on a new fall adventure....

 

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My kids just LOVE countdown calendars!  "How many more days until..." -- it's always so much easier to wait if you have something fun to do :-)  

So, a few years ago, we created a countdown calendar for Halloween.

 I love Autumn!  It's my favorite season - cool days, beautiful colors, fun things to do with the kids and a great time to enjoy nature!

Each year since my kids were young, we've celebrated 'Christmas in July'.  A fun little day when we forget about the heat of summer, spend some time together and make a memory or two.

 

It's the official start of Spring, and if you're like me, you're itching to get some of those big chores done around the house.  Getting closets cleaned out, prepping the yard, and cleaning out the clutter -- why not have the kids help during this yearly event. 

It's important for kids to learn some of these yearly chores. 

Here are a few age-appropriate things the kids can do during spring cleaning along with some fun books to read:

Exploring the world and learning about different cultures is an important way to help your kids to grow. 

One fun way to do that this month is to celebrate Chinese New Year.

How would you like to make a resolution that you know you’ll keep this year?  How about 12? 

I know what you’re thinking, sometimes it’s impossible to keep one resolution, much less 12 - but here’s the plan:  one resolution each month that will help families to become more connected, creative and healthy.