Thursday, May 28, 2009

summer planning--wheee!

Summer is almost here! As I said last year, just turning over the wonderful possibilities in anticipation is almost better than the reality! I love this time of year.

This year I mostly want to slow down, spend more time with my boys, and be way more involved in Rainer's care. Remember last fall, when I used almost all my sick time for the entire school year just in October and November (when Rainer was hospitalized for 3 weeks)? That means I haven't been to a lot of his doctor's appointments subsequently. That will change soon, when I'm off for summer. Other want to dos:

::keep a nature journal
::draw, even though I am bad at it. Learn to draw simple birds.
::read Mary Oliver poems
::memorize a children's poem to say to Dieter and Rainer while I'm pushing them in the swings
::investigate gnomes and fairies
::have a midsummer night celebration
::re-read favorite books, maybe starting with "I Capture the Castle"
::watch favorite movies, starting with "Sideways"
::rent Season 4 of LOST
::learn wet felting
::compile list, gather, buy favorite children's books I am missing . . . start with the Frances books
::keep sewing
::celebrate all the usual summer things--anniversary, my birthday, Faith's birthday, fourth of July
::work on a recipe book for Faith that she will take with her when she (eventually) moves out
::go to Ikea with Faith
::cook different things
::do crafts with the boys
::knit--book a private lesson
::have picnics--explore fun picnic foods. Make little hand pies and fun sandwiches
::make some costume pieces for the boys--capes, crowns
::make some items for next year's advent calendar wintery village
::cook from my cookbooks, with a heavy emphasis on Apples for Jam

How about you? What are you anticipating about summer?

20 comments:

Tia said...

Looks like a great list! We love the Francis books. When I was a little girl, I had them with records that I used to put on and follow along. I still remember how Francis sounded. Bread and Jam is my favorite.

Lisa said...

Sounds like you'll have a great summer. We don't get a summer vacation (full time jobs, kids not in school yet) but we hope to camp a lot this summer. We're pretty crazy busy from now through June, but July, Aug, and September are going to be for camping. I bought soulemama's book from Amazon (like a month ago, and it still hasn't shipped!) and I hope to do some things from that. We planted a garden and I obsessively check it 2 or 3 times a day, I can't wait to get food from our own yard. I want to find the perfect coffee to brew at home in my little french press. I want to do some sewing- mainly skirts and the huck finn pants from weekend sewing.

Crystal said...

That sounds like a fantastic list! Everythng on there sounds good, I might have to follow suit.

Meg said...

I love your lists. I hope I can make one soon--I'm just waiting for life to slow down a little bit. It seems the end of the school year always finds us at a frantic pace. Perhaps I need to learn to say no--the kids don't need to attend every birthday party, do they? I think not!

Best of luck on your list--I'll have to go start mine!

Sarah said...

I have a list going--what I like about your list is that includes things you want to do just for yourself, not just with the kids. I think I'm going to change mine!

Joy said...

What a great list! I can't wait to see some of them on your blog. :)

Nicole said...

I love the list idea! I'm going to have to compile one of my own and steal a few items from yours. :)

cree said...

whew! that was overwhelming and inspiring! so fun to look forward to such joy!

Elfin Goddess said...

That is such a fab list! Well, summer's on its way out here. And we are looking forward to the monsoons- 4 months of rainy wet weather- or BLISS as I like to call it. Inspired by your list, I think I'm gonna have to get one ready for my favourite time of the year! Cheers, Av

Mariah said...

We love summers and try to "schedule" wipe-open spaces of time... Our best projects always come about on the days that we have nothing planned.

Love your list... it is time to start ours :)

Rachelle Christensen said...

I love that Make and Do journal! I'm going to make me one like that because I have a problem...I love to do all kinds of crafts! :)
I just reviewed the most awesome crafter’s cabinet from The Original Scrapboxand I wanted to tell you about it! Stop by
my blog
to join in the fun!

Florence Knapp (Flossie Teacakes) said...

The Frances books! Do you mean the Frances books where she buys a yoyo for her sister knowing that she will be too short to use it, where they eat Chomp bars and have beautiful teasets to argue over? I can't remember the exact titles now, but I'm thinking one of them may have been Bread & Jam for Frances...I've yet to meet anyone else who remembers these books, which is so odd when they are so brilliant. I feel so happy thinking that you might love these books too.

I love your list and hope that by the end of the summer you have checked many of them off. x

Jessica said...

Your summer looks like it is going to be a wonderful time filled with loads of memories. I'm going to work through some of my cookbooks this summer as well.

Erna said...

wow what a wonerfull list! I can't believe it is almost summer...another year passes that quickly?

Gift of Green said...

Hi Mary Beth,
It's my first summer off with my children. Yiipppeeeee!!! One thing on my definite to-do list: give my daughter's handmade wooden dollhouse, purchased from a thrift store last Christmas, a full Extreme Makeover! :)

Gift of Green said...

Hi Mary Beth,
It's my first summer off with my children. Yiipppeeeee!!! One thing on my definite to-do list: give my daughter's handmade wooden dollhouse, purchased from a thrift store last Christmas, a full Extreme Makeover! :)

crowsincupboards said...

Apples for Jam is one of my most favorite cook books. So far the biggest hit in this house is the recipe for Vanilla Yogurt Ice Cream. So yummy and easy what else could you need for a perfect summer's day ending...oh I know the recipe for Milky Way bar sauce found on page 321. Sounds like a great summer ahead for you. enjoy

Lina said...

Inspiring list! I think hanging out at the pool with my family, some good weather and a spot of camping are the only things on my to do list this summer. Now I wish it would just hurry up and get here!

by little hands said...

I love the idea of this list and can't wait to get started on mine!

Here is a great site to get some ideas for all of the crafts you want to do with the kids!

http://www.bylittlehands.com/

Enjoy the summer!

pink and green mama MaryLea said...

fantastic list -- I want to do them all with you!

: )
marylea