This week marks the start of summer in our household! My kids have been eagerly counting down the days to the last day of school. The excitement for summer break has been palpable, and it has finally arrived.
Summer in Minnesota flies by in the blink of an eye. We have to make a conscious effort to carve out time for our favorite summer activities; otherwise, before we know it, it's time to pull out those winter boots again. To make the most of the fleeting sunshine, we create a summer bucket list packed with activities that promise maximum fun.
I believe this is a great practice for any season. With our hectic lives and busy schedules, we often find ourselves wishing away the days until the weekend or the next vacation. But how often do we pause to enjoy the moment? I invite you to grab a pen and paper, a journal, or even a napkin (we use a chalkboard) and create your own summer bucket list.
Here's a peek at our summer bucket list for this year:
Visit the Pizza Farm: A local family hosts pizza nights on their farm, cooking hundreds of pizzas two nights a week during the summer. Families picnic on the lawn while kids chase chickens and barn cats. The wait for pizza is always worth it!
Beach Time: This one's a no-brainer. In the land of 10,000 lakes, a beach is never far away. My kids love hunting for fish, turtles, and tadpoles while I soak up the sun with my toes in the sand.
Paddleboarding: I bought a standup paddleboard during the pandemic and fell in love with it! It's a fantastic activity to enjoy with the kids. They hop on the back, and we explore the lake together.
Raising Monarchs: This makes our list every year and never loses its magic. We find caterpillars on milkweed leaves and bring them home. Watching them transform into butterflies and setting them free is pure joy.
Making S’mores: We have a firepit in our backyard that we didn't use nearly enough last summer. This year, it's on the list because it's a great way to unplug and enjoy a tasty treat together as a family.
As you can see, none of these activities are extravagant. They're simple, yet they bring us so much joy. I hope you can take some time this summer to slow down and savor the little things in life.
Best, Rachel
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