Let’s Go!
That’s exactly what my kids said to me the second they came home on the last day of school.
“Let’s go to the park.”
“Let’s go to the pool!”
“Let’s go to Disney World!”
I even heard: “Let’s go on a cruise!“
Yikes …my kids are high maintenance.
But, we don’t have any major trips planned for this summer. Our plans are to stay at home and spend as much quality time with the kids as possible. We will enjoy our neighborhood pool and the local attractions around town. We will also have some of their cousins spend a few weeks with us which is always a highlight of their summer.
Check out the girls and their cousins pretending to be tired after a long day at the Aquarium last summer.
But since we’re going to be home, I’ve set a few family goals and even made a theme for our family this summer. I have declared this summer as dun dun dunnnnnnnnnn: “The Summer of Doing it Yourself!!”
Yes that’s right folks! No more picking out clothes, brushing teeth, washing booties, tying shoes! You name it and Mommy is going to tell you to dun dun dunnnnnnnnnn: “Do It Yourself.”
Our oldest child is nineteen, and then we have 3 younger girls that are 10, 5, and 4. I have been doing some of those things for almost 20 years now!! It’s got to stop. And since we are going to be at home this summer, we’re going to be working on dun dun dunnnnnn: “Doing it Yourself!!”
I have to say….that our 10 year old is pretty much self sufficient. But there are some areas where she needs some refreshers. Her major goal for the summer is learning to swim. She’s almost got it. She can almost swim a lap in the pool without stopping. One or two more lessons and she’ll be “Doing it herself!“
So when I explained our summer theme to our girls, our youngest said and I quote:
“And when school starts it will be Doing it With!“
I said no way buddy!!! It is “Do it Yourself from now on!”
So they wake up and pick out their clothes every morning. Some of the outfits are questionable. But hey it’s summer break. I noticed that our youngest wants to wear church clothes every day.
The girls are picking out their clothes each day! The youngest likes to look fab everyday.
Some things like bathing themselves and brushing their teeth , I am learning to be less hands on and just standing by to give instructions!
But one of the biggest shocks to the girls is that I threw away the training wheels. I said you are going to learn how to ride your bikes this summer too!! Our 5 year old almost went into shock!! She said she is perfectly fine with her training wheels. She acts like she hates it but I can see her secretly get excited when she is able to pedal independently for a few feet.
So as often as I can, I am outside running down beside the bike trying to show the two youngest how to ride. I am almost 40 and don’t plan on running down beside bikes too much longer!!! Geez..I have been doing this for over 14 years (since our oldest turned 5 years old!)
We will keep on practicing all summer until they learn do it themselves!!! At least I can lose a few pounds in the process.
Today she said: “Mommy let go so I can do it by myself!” Dun Dun Dunnnnnnnnn…eureka!!!!
Can I tell you a secret. I am enjoying “The Summer of Doing It Yourself.” I am actually having to spend more time with the girls to teach them how to do it themselves. And I am cherishing every moment of this time!!! They’ll only be this little once!
BMWK Family – Where is your family planning to go this summer? Are you heading anywhere fun or will it be a staycation kind of summer? Do you ever set family goals during the summer…please share?
Each new day provides you with an opportunity to have special moments with your family.
Disclosure: This post is part of a series that is sponsored by Hallmark and the Life is a Special Occasion campaign. All opinions and editorial content expressed are my own.
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