I do love a to-do list. Just not the chore kind. Those lists depress me. A list of fun things to do this summer, though? That I can get excited about. Since we actually managed to do everything on our slightly insane Advent Calendar, I thought we’d try a summer list and see how we fare. So, here goes. Autumn officially begins on September 22nd so that gives us nine weeks of summer. Nine weeks, nine goals? Let’s round it up to ten.
1. Go on an open-top bus tour of our home city
Talitha has been intrigued by the red Bristol sightseeing buses and keeps asking if we can go on one soon. I’d actually really love to do it because despite having lived in Bristol for four years, I feel that I know very little about the city. I always wished I’d done on of these tours back when we lived in Brighton. Maybe we’ll do that one day yet too. Years ago, I sat on the top level of one of these with a friend in Belfast. It was an interesting experience both because of the city’s fascinating history and the fact that it rained pretty much the whole time.
2. Read five novels
Nothing says Summer for me like ignoring my responsibilities in favour of a page turner. I’ve become so lame at reading fiction lately, though, and I’m desperate to fix that. I’m kind of hoping I manage to read more than five but better to under-promise, right? Wish me luck and recommend a good read.
3. See an outdoor children’s play
We’ve been taking Talitha to the theatre since she was 18 months old and she has loved it every time. I’d really rather go see some open air Shakespeare but am accepting that that might be a bit hit-and-miss with Ophelia unless we leave her behind so it might be a safer bet to go for something we’ll all enjoy together.
4. Make blackberry jam
The brambles in our garden (well, the mental overgrowth behind our garden which is taking over our garden) are heavy-laden. I picked a few thinking, “hey, free fruit” but a friend mentioned making jam with hers so now I’m possessed by the idea. We will do it!
5. Build a tepee
I saw a tepee in – I think it was last month’s – Country Living and thought it would be so sweet to make one for the girls to hang out in in the garden. Anyone who knows me well knows that this isn’t the kind of thing that comes naturally to me. I will give it a bloody good go, though. Kids are forgiving.
6. Go on a bug hunt
I tried to make a snail I picked off the courgette plant the other day sound the most alluring thing to hold but my three-year-old wasn’t even slightly interested in touching the thing. She is interested in crawlies but only from afar. I’m hoping that a bug hunt might get her to take a closer look.
7. Barbecue on a beach
We’ve had a LOT of barbecues so far this year but none of them on a beach. So, it needs to be done.
8. Make ice cream
I’ve always wanted to try my hand at making ice cream and now I have the perfect opportunity. My brother and his wife left their ice cream maker with us while we’re moving house and not a day goes by that Talitha doesn’t ask me if we can use it! I’m fully expecting this to be something of a disaster.
9. Go wild swimming
I was going to put visiting the outdoor swimming pool in Portishead on this list since we planned to do it last year but never got around it. Laurence suggested we give wild swimming a go, though, and actually that sounds more bucket list worthy. I will still try to make it to Portishead though.
10. Set up nine outdoor art activities
I’ve been trying to commit to encouraging Talitha’s process art. Mostly it’s involved leaving materials around but I do find that I need to plan ahead to make them inviting, even if it just means clearing the rubbish off her table and laying out some pens and paper. I’m hoping to lay out a few open-ended activities that require a little more forward planning and just see what happens.
So, that’s our list. I’ll let you know if we actually manage it all. What’s on your list?
We’re in the process of making our summer bucket list. The girls have chosen things like toasting marshmallows and camping out in the garden. It sounds like we’re going to have a fun summer 🙂
Shell Louise recently posted..Silent Sunday – July 20th
We have a loose list but nothing written down as off yet. Trying geocaching is one that we are all keen to try.
Louisa recently posted..Dogs as family pets
I used to do a lot of blackberry picking. Haven’t done much of it lately.
Terry recently posted..The 2015 Chevrolet Impala From Dave Hallman Chevrolet In Erie, PA.
Oh lots of lovely things. I want to make ice cream too (and build a tee pee) x
You Baby Me Mummy recently posted..Like mother like daughter
Great bucket list! I don’t usually do any but just stumble around and see where I land 🙂
Joanna Sormunen recently posted..Hot salsa or Ají de Tomate de Arbol
That’s a great list – we’ve got some of those on our list too x x
Cass@frugalfamily recently posted..#SaveMoneyMonday – Free Fun DIY classes for kids….
I hope you complete them all. I always think we have ages to do everything but then the weeks fly by in a flash. Last year we saw Shakespeare in the park for free at Stratford upon Avon. No tickets required and everyone just sat down on the ground.
Ness (@jibberjabberuk) recently posted..Chocolate Madeleines
Great list, I would write one but I am so bad with lists that I doubt I would end up doing anything of it! Although it might have the opposite effect, maybe I will try it! x
Jess @ Along Came Cherry recently posted..A Day At The Beach
so many fun things! i hope you get to do them all, or at least most of them.
laura redburn recently posted..15 things you didn’t know about me
Great bucket list. I need to do one for me. The boys are busy making their own
Jen aka The Mad House recently posted..Encouraging independence in kids over the summer
Ooh BBQ on a beach sound idyllic, I’m adding this one to our summer list. x
Lori recently posted..A SAN FRANCISCO BREAKFAST
Really great list!! We have been putting one together and have also put down going on an open top bus around Cardiff and seeing an outdoor play – such fun things to do 🙂
Laura x
Laura recently posted..Glamping with Cariad Canvas
Great list! I made blackberry jam the other day funnily enough as there were loads of ripe berries to be had on a walk 🙂 there’s a linky over at Clarinas Contemplations you might want to join in with called #getgoodsummer
Best of luck with getting yours ticked off!
lots of fun things! We’ve been ticking lots off our summer bucket list too
Polly recently posted..Feeding a family at a festival
I haven’t made one yet, need to crack on! Your’s sounds lovely – I would love to think i’d get the chance to read five novels too – bliss!
We love outdoor art – a big roll of lining paper, some paper plates of paint and bare feet – really great fun!
Rachel @ Parenthood Highs and Lows recently posted..Tattoos – Like or Loathe?
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These are some great activities. I want to make BlackBerry jam too. Look forward to seeing the activities you come up with for #10.
We have a list too and I guess as my little man broke up today we should get started!
Jenny recently posted..Shopping with Morrisons online
Great list, especially the outdoor theatre. I think we’ll be doing that next year! I love the theatre
Zena’s Suitcase recently posted..The Breastfeeding Diaries 22nd July 2014
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I love this idea – otherwise summer might pass by in a flash. Such a great idea to go on a bus tour of your home city too – it’s one of my favourite things to do when I’m visiting a city and you’ll probably learn stuff about Bristol that you didn’t know 🙂
Alison recently posted..Beach Life, Stationery Shopping and French Plaits… (AKA What We Got Up To This Week)
I am loving your list! There are quite a few things on there we haven’t done and probably should. Especially the bbq on the beach and the wild swimming. Exciting stuff.
VaiChin @Rambling Through Parenthood recently posted..Moshi Monsters at Sea Life Manchester
BBQs and ice cream – that’s my kind of summer 😉 x
number one and number 9 are on mine too! My friend Lizzie does wild swimming and she makes it sounds so appealing, I think now with the weather so wonderful is the perfect time x
Fritha recently posted..Our Weekend In Pictures
The open top bus tour is on my list too!
Kara recently posted..Win a Kids in the Kitchen Pack from Betta Living
Now that is a lovely list. I’m very impressed. As for me, if I get out the door with the kids twice per week that would be an achievement. The one thing I’d really like to do is visit a pick your own farm. I have to say you are really making me think now about how I want to spend my time with the kids for the season especially as a few of our friends will be overseas for the season. Let me think ;0)
Lots of lovely ideas. Maxwell and I have created a bucket list and we are hoping to share our adventures over on our blog. Wish us luck! x
Helen Dickinson recently posted..A Week Of Learning And New Experiences
[…] me ticking number 4 off our Summer bucket list: make blackberry jam. We have loads of brambles climbing over our garden fence and they are heavy […]
some great ideas here – i hope you are managing to plough your way through it
thanks for letting me link this to my carnival post (live from the 12th) x
jenny paulin recently posted..Project 365 #32 (3rd-9th August, 2014)
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