What am I going to do this Summer?

I think of myself as an organized person. I plan meals, parties and vacations well in advance. I review my calendar and look forward to events. Unfortunately, as thorough as I am, June snuck up on me! The children are done with school this month. And while that fateful occurrence won’t happen for 28 more days, I have to come to terms with the realization that shortly, they will be home…with me…all the time.  I checked the calendar for July and August, and I have nothing planned. I haven’t signed them up for camps or activities. Everyone knows if you haven’t signed the kids up for summer activities by now they’ll be full. My children are going to be very disappointed and it is going to make for a long summer.

 April came and I didn’t take the opportunity to review or sign the kids up for activities.  I dropped the ball.  Part of the blame goes to my husband, I kept deferring to him to help me sign the kids up for things. I repeatedly asked him what he thought of this camp or that event…What was I thinking?  Husbands usually leave that up to us. Every time I’d ask he’d respond, “Sure whatever you and the kids want will be fine with me.”  This man doesn’t understand the gravity of the situation.  Summer programs have limited availability.  The kids might hate the camp choices we’ve made which means money down the drain, not to mention a wasted week in which the children will not be engaged in anything.

 My daughter recently looked over the brochures and pamphlets I have in the house. She’s circled everything from “calling all mermaids” to “how to take care of your pet dogs” (we don’t have any dogs). It’s safe to say she wants to do it all. My son on the other hand is more selective as he doesn’t want to be bored.  I recall last year signing them up for two weeks of programs at the Jordan Jackson School. They really enjoyed their classes. My son learned magic tricks and my daughter brought home a cookbook and some delicious tasty treats she made in the class. It was great and the kids still talk about it today.  I had also filled their summer days with little field trips, as I call them, to fun spots. We did Davis Farmland ( www.davisfarmland.com ) with friends one day. If you haven’t been there, it’s great. The kids stayed in the water park area almost the entire time.  Once dried up, they enjoyed the rest of the farm and pet the animals. Another hot day I took the kids to the Butterfly Place ( www.butterflyplace-ma.com ). It’s an indoor facility that’s quite unique.  Originally, I was met with resistance by my son, but he had the best time. Again we went with friends and all ages had a blast. The butterflies land on your clothes, your hair and are so gentle and lovely it’s very relaxing and the kids get a kick out of it. Plus we stopped for ice-cream afterwards. (Ice-cream stands are always a welcome treat, wherever we are).  We did Capron Park Zoo (www.capronparkzoo.com ) one August day.  They too have a nice water sprinkler area, and their playground kept the kids entertained for a couple of hours.

 No more procrastinating.  After I finish writing this blog I’m going to race out and sign the kids to a week of camp or two (without my husband’s approval).  Plus, I need to purchase chalk. I buy bulk packages of chalk every June and come July 1st it’s already gone. 

So fellow parents, if anyone has fun advice of interesting places for the children in Massachusetts and out, I am all ears.  You’d not only be helping me out but you’d be passing on the advice to everyone else reading this. So thanks in advance. Good luck to all the parents figuring out what to do with their children this summer and remember, buy chalk!