Summer Fun 2016

It's that time again:  our summer fun list for 2016!  Today was the last day of school and it definitely feels like summer, with both the heat and the exhausted grumpiness the kids get when they're together too much.

This year's list is shorter than years past, with hopes that we actually do most of it.  We already have concrete plans for several things.  It feels like a longer summer than usual, with no snow days tacked on and the first day back in September, not August.  I haven't counted weeks yet, though.

Let the fun begin!

1. Party/activity in honor of Aunt Sis
2. Go swimming at Y with friends
3. Inspirational Art Rock Drop (decorate rocks and leave them in public places)
4. Playgroup Open House idea
5. Meet friends at ice rink
6. Attend town festival in June/volunteer at historic house--DONE
7. Birthday trip to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando
8. Beach trip in city
9. Look for sea glass at beaches
10. Putt-putt golf
11. Create Minecraft server
12. Make ice cream
13. Have a lemonade stand (Bud asked to do it for Autism)
14. Play in sprinkler
15. Go to zoo
16. Biking
17. Celebrate 4th of July
18. Celebrate Solstice
19. Celebrate Mama's birthday
20. Birthday parties for kids
21. Decorate chalkboard for summer
22. Learn to cook weekly dinners
23. Make ice cube candles
24. Make soap
25. Learn an ASL sign a day
26. Create a Zentangle tile-a-day
27. Make friendship bread starter and share



Attend friends' Friday Night Dance Party
Start afternoon tea party tradition
Kite flying
Wash car
See Finding Dory
See Secret Life of Pets
See Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
Harry Potter and the Curse Child book party
Set up tent in backyard
Zentangle classes with Sis and Bud helping

Advent Updates

Well . . . we haven't used our sock Advent calendar once yet, though we've been doing a bunch of our usual holiday activities.  I think we all miss the ritual of the socks but just don't have it together yet.  We still have a week to go, so maybe I can figure something out.  I imagine we'll get a few of these done before Christmas Eve . . . .

POSSIBILITIES

1. Build gingerbread houses
2. Stay up late, a la Solstice Camp Out the night of last day of school
3. Make a snowman (weather permitting; if not, turn fridge into a snowman)
4. Deliver gifts to vet, pediatrician, etc.**
5. Choose family holiday charity (seals?  owls?  cat project?)**
6. Deliver ELF bags to friends in need of holiday cheer**
7. Sew buttons on Christmas stockings
8. Drive around looking at lights
9. Make origami ornaments for tree

Other ideas:  make candles or soap; follow UU Advent Calendar from Alice the Chalice;  look for Snowy Owls; make a card for my hospice patients; watch It's a Wonderful Life; 

DONE

1. Piano recital (Dec 6)
2. Go to Cookie Cafe (Dec 5)
3. Make latkes on first night of Hanukkah (Dec. 6)
4. Watch "Emmet Otter's Jugband Christmas" (we actually did this last night!)
5. Make holiday wreath (well, we bought one from a neighborhood Boy Scout)
6. Create and send family Christmas card
7. Office holiday parties
8. Celebrate my birthday at Old Sturbridge Village candlelight
9. Watch original A Miracle on 34th Street
10. Host cookie party (Dec. 18)
11. STAR WARS!!!!! (Dec. 17)
12. Begin reading A Christmas Carol
13. Make cards for teachers, babysitters, etc.
14. play with Lego Christmas village

Fall Fun 2015

I realized that, while I always make a long list of activities for summer, I never really make one for fall.  And fall is one of my top favorite seasons!

Since it's so hot here right now, abnormally so, I can't help but think of fall.

So here is a list of ideas.  It can't be as long as the summer list, mainly because of school, but it's delightful.  Even if we don't get to most of them.

It's very idiosyncratic, with trips and outings we've already specially planned for this fall . . . .

1. Applepalooza (our family fall open house, with apple desserts)
2. Apple picking
3. Pumpkin picking
4. Decorate a pumpkin
5. Roast pumpkin seeds
6. Make apple or pumpkin butter
7. Corn maze
8. Church in-gathering celebration
9. Florence Griswold Museum Wee Faerie Village
10. Make faerie houses
11. Comic Con
12. Matilda
13. Spring Awakening (adults only)
14. Block Island weekend
15. Knitting retreat
16. Indigo Girls concert
17. Scout overnight at Mystic Seaport
18. piano recital
19. School Open House
20. Make a leaf pile
21. Trick or treat
22. Backyard fire with foil dinners and s'mores
23. Tent in the backyard
24. Go to a football game
25. Prepare Halloween costumes
26. Boo gifts for friends
27. Amish Friendship bread
28. Nature walk or bike ride
29. Paint pinecones
30. Make candles or soap
31. Yarn!
32. Explore sourdough bread recipes
33. Renaissance festival
34. Vote
35. Make pies
36. Church Harvest festival
37. Get out mittens, hats, scarves, sweaters, etc.
38. Pull out quilts and blankets
39. Watch Halloween film (is it time for Hocus Pocus?)
40. Change fire alarm batteries