Umm…. so Fall officially started today? Say what??? Guess it’s a good time to wrap up the Summer To Do List!
But first, a note about the whole to do list/bucket list thing… this falls into the category of “I really wish I was that girl that could set these goals and accomplish them!”. You’ll see soon, but I basically failed at this task. I have reasons – but the goal of a to do list is to check things off… which I didn’t….
Anyway, here’s what did/didn’t happen.
What we did do:
Visit the Farmer’s Market & Schedule Hookie Weekends | We had several hookie weekends, but one of them included a trip to the Farmer’s Market. And we also got to go to the Market in my parents’ town while we were up in Michigan.
Go to the Zoo | After I made this blog post graphic, I completely forgot that we went to the Binder Park Zoo in Battle Creek, Michigan, while we were visiting my parents! I decided that it was a dumb idea to try the “Visit the Zoo” in NC during the summer… that seems like a better Fall/Winter activity… But if you haven’t seen the vlog of our trip to the Binder Park Zoo, check it out. We fed giraffes!!
Road Trip | We did several road trips, some long, some short. But the longest was our trip to Columbus, and then Michigan, in early June!
Have Date Nights | My husband and I did a few “at home” date nights over the summer. We decided to eat dinner together once Elizabeth was in bed (so smart!). And, of course, our epic Jerry Seinfeld date a few weeks ago. We’ve already made plans for more dates, and have locked down a regular sitter.
Visit Kids Museum | This one was supposed to be visiting a particular one… but meh. Why go to a museum during the summer, when everyone is off of school, and everyone and their brother is there?? I opted to do a few trips to our favorite science museum in Durham instead, and that worked out just fine.
Organize Play Dates | I’m SURE I organized some! This summer felt like one big giant play date, so it’s hard to remember who organized what… but it was fun!
Beach Day | We didn’t go to the ocean beach this summer, but Elizabeth and I went to Jordan Lake for a birthday party a few weeks back and had a blast! We also did Silver Beach in St. Joseph, MI, back in June! That counts 🙂
And now… what we didn’t do… and I’m not ashamed of that….
Visit Every City Park in Durham (and see also “Go to Pullen Park”) | Y’all, this is ambitious even when the weather is cool… there are over 40 parks in Durham… and there was no way we were visiting them when it was 90+ degrees by 9:00 a.m. I have my limits.
Visit the Pool | I had intended this one to be easy! My husband and I were talking all summer about joining a gym/pool, but we talked ourselves out of it. So the pool thing went off the table. But we bought ourselves a plastic pool for the backyard!
Food Truck Rodeo | There is a big one on Father’s Day, and we must have been out of town! So… that’s that.
Bull City Craft | This one is getting moved to the Fall/Winter! It sounds like such a fun place (organizes open toddler craft time in the mornings). But right when I was ready to head over there, I discovered they were closed for renovations…. oops.
Attend Outdoor Concert | No excuses… just plain laziness.
So, here’s the thing.
Sure, half the list didn’t get done. And I have a million excuses for it!
But, we still had a summer FULL of memories! Even though we didn’t make memories, completing the list, we still made memories by:
Letting Elizabeth meet a really big duck!
Splashing in the Eno River!
Eating ice cream while enjoying the prettiest view! (And avoiding your toddler dribbling ice cream on your leg)
Teaching Elizabeth the joys of driveway chalk art
Learning serious pie crust pro tips from my mom!
Took Elizabeth to a county fair, where she learned the cow was her spirit animal.
I let Elizabeth have the loudest bell imaginable, but the joy on her face was worth it!
We took a family trip on a train – and Elizabeth learned how to say “choo choo”.
And I entered true “mom mode” when we attempted Elizabeth’s first painting craft. And we did it! Without too many messes or heart attacks.
So… who cares if I didn’t check everything off my list.
It was still an amazing summer.
And here’s to an even better fall.
What were your favorite summer memories from this year??Â
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Well you managed to cross off half of them so I call it a win. As long as your having fun, who cares.
P.S. I see you also figured out the embedding IG photos into blog posts…. so cool. I just realized you could do this the other day and my mind was blown. So blown that I had to mention it in tomorrows Friday post :).
Exactly! Still a summer win!
And yes!! I figured out the IG embedding thing a few weeks ago and mentioned it in that H54F post too! Great minds think alike! Haha!
It is super frustrating to not meet goals, but it looks like you guys made up for it with some delightful memories! 🙂
I always think of these lists as HOPE to do lists 🙂 It’s all fun stuff and there’s no pressure to cross every single thing off. I’d say you did a great job based on all the smiles and fun you have documented in pictures. Looking forward to a fun fall 🙂
I need to remember that – HOPE to do lists! I figure as long as we have fun, that’s ok, right? 🙂