The end of summer is right around the corner?!? How can that be?? I’ve just started to get used to the long hours of daylight, the relaxed attitude of my summer-vacation-kiddos, and the beauty of walking the dog without suiting up in coats and scarves.
~~This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24 NLT~~
God blesses us with this beautiful time of year, however brief. Let’s make the most of it! Here are a few ways you can make the most of the last few precious weeks of summer:
- Spend some time birdwatching in your backyard or at a local park. Our love for birdwatching has really blossomed this summer. My youngest, Charlotte, and I started a photo journal back in April and have been cataloguing each new variety of bird that we see on our property. It’s an especially fun learning activity for Charlotte because her job is to be the bird detective. She uses the photos that I have taken of the birds and identifies the type, approximate age, and gender of each bird using books and the Internet. (Yes, I AM that sneaky mom that injects learning into summer vacation.)
- Go camping We didn’t camp when I was growing up, so this is a newfound love for me. And, while I love exploring new forests and campsites, one of my favorite standby places to camp is actually in my own backyard. No need to worry about outhouses, packing, or running out of food, as your backyard can be a great place to pitch a tent or even to sleep out in the open air.
- Spend an entire day cooking outside on the grill or over a campfire. Get the whole family involved and plan a menu of outdoor-friendly meals. You might be amazed at the creative recipes you can come up with. We’ve made pizza on the grill, baked potatoes in the campfire, and served grilled fruit over pancakes. For a little extra fun while filling your family with healthy fruit, end the night with a watermelon seed spitting contest.
- Peruse your town’s event calendar. Most towns and cities have an event calendar that can be found either in a newspaper or online. Spend some time going through the event calendar looking for ballgames, outdoor concerts, state and county fairs, or other events that might be a fun weekend or weeknight adventure for your family. You’ll often find some great activities nearby that are either very inexpensive or free.
- Spend a day doing absolutely nothing. Our culture is so often uber-fast-paced and over-scheduled. One of the best ways to spend some quality time with your family is to unplug, let go, and throw the plan out the window. Hang in a hammock. Look for cloud animals. Watch ants work. Lie down in the grass. People-watch on your porch. Read a book together. Take a nap. Order takeout. Watch the grass grow. Letting our minds and bodies really rest can help us enter the fall refreshed and ready for all that the busy time of year brings.
