We’re a couple of weeks into Summer Break here and I’m feeling the pull of things already. Charlie is 6 and wants to go somewhere or do something pretty much all the time. Owen wants to run and play all day. We have birthday parties, play dates, road trips, work, and plenty of obligations already filling up summer. You know what I want to do though? Slow things down and really enjoy summer.
It’s our first summer in our new house with an actual yard and I am over the moon excited about spending time outside soaking it all up.
1. SCHEDULE LESS
I’m all for scheduling playdates and trips, but it’s so nice to have free time and not have anything that we have to do. If something pops up at the last minute that we really want to do, we can. If you absolutely have to have a packed schedule over the summer, make sure you schedule in some down-time for you to catch up and enjoy the quiet.
2. UNPLUG
Okay, this one is a little harder for me since my job is social media and being connected, but… if I can do it, I know you can!
When we’re playing outside, I intentionally leave my phone inside the house so I’m not on it while we’re outside. I will run in and check it every hour or so if I’m waiting on an email to come through, but leave it inside again.
It’s such a breath of fresh air to not be tied to the phone, tablet, or laptop.
3. EXPLORE YOUR OWN CITY
I feel like we’re always rushing off somewhere. We live in an awesome area that’s the center of so many awesome cities. Seriously, we’re an hour from Philly, less than an hour from Baltimore, about 2 hours to D.C. and there are so many fun things to do in all of those cities. We haven’t explored them much, but it’s on our list of things we’d like to do.
You don’t even need to go into a big city though! Your small town has a ton of things you haven’t seen I’m sure. Or maybe you haven’t seen them with kids! Slow down, take the time and explore your own city a bit.
4. HOST A POTLUCK PARTY
I love hosting parties at our house, but I’m kind of a control freak and insist on doing just about everything myself. This summer, I suggest you host a potluck party! Have everyone bring a dish to share and you’ll be less stressed doing it all yourself.
You can keep things simple and grab everything you need at Walmart. Kraft-Heinz has everything you need with one-stop shopping at Walmart! You can pick up ingredients for Memphis-Style BBQ Hot Dog, Wave Your Flag Cheesecake, Orange Lemonade Twist, and more! Check out these recipes and share them with your guests for suggestions.
Oh, and have it outside so you don’t need to clean and straighten up as much!
5. SIP LEMONADE SLOWLY
Seriously, head outside and soak up the sun! I don’t mean lather yourself in oil and sunbathe for hours, but if that’s what you want to do – go for it!
I’m making some of this delicious Orange Lemonade Twist and enjoying it! I can sit outside with the kids like an old-fashioned summer and enjoy a fun new twist on lemonade. When you picture a summer drink, it’s lemonade, right?
- COUNTRY TIME Lemonade Drink Mix
- 2 Cups Cold Water
- 2 Cups Orange Juice
- 1 liter cold ginger ale
- Measure Lemonade Drink Mix for 2 Qts and pour into pitcher.
- Add water and orange juice, stir until dissolved.
- Refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Stir in ginger ale just before serving.
- Pour over ice in glasses and serve!
I’d love to hear how you’re slowing down summer!
shelly peterson says
Really great ideas! This Orange Lemonade Twist recipes sounds really good. I love lemonade, I need to make this.
craig says
I enjoyed reading this and it’s very true, we all need to slow down and relax as regularly as possible. Weekdays are often crazy for me put I have been making an effort on weekends to just switch off for a bit, I will try some of these suggestions too. Thanks for the great post.