The dog days of summer.

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I love summer. The weather, the long days, no school lunches to make, picking fruit and stopping by roadside stands, campfires and fireflies, time with friends. I could go on and on...

I love summer and yet, I can't let myself get tricked. It's not exactly a holiday for me. Dinner still needs to be made, we still need clean clothes to wear, kids have to get driven around and there is a general busyness and chaos that comes with having kids and a household to manage. Plus, did I mention that we are building a house?

But here's what summer is: it's a change of pace. A really welcome change of pace. A chance to breathe a little deeper and move a bit slower.

Experience tells me that it's a change of pace that still requires some structure and it requires me to bring my A-game.

Check out the summer schedule I created on a piece of paper with a sharpie and then
taped up in my kitchen. I know, so hi-tech.

In case you're curious, F.O. B. is an acronym that I learned from camp. It means "flat on bunk" or "feet on bed". It's a fancy schmancy way of saying rest time.

I've also learned again and again each summer of the importance of taking great care of myself. It's super important as the days can feel long and kids home all summer can be exhausting. If I'm going to be pouring out all day long, I have to be high on the self care.

"Self care is never a selfish act - it is simply good stewardship of the only gift I have, the gift I was put on earth to offer to others. Anytime we can listen to the true self and give it the care it requires, we do so not only for ourselves but for the many others whose lives we touch." - Parker Palmer (Let Your Life Speak)

Self care for me means things like:

• eating well
• asking for what I need and being clear about it (after 18 years of being married, I still have to remind myself that my husband can't read my mind)
• starting my days with solitude and prayer
• exercise
• marriage time
• time with friends
• a good night's sleep ( sooooo important for me)
• and of course, chocolate

At the onset of summer, I needed to remind myself that summer is really only 10 weeks long. 10 weeks with no school. That's it.

So naturally, we made a summer bucket list, which included some things like:

• lemonade stand
• lunch at our favourite chip wagon
• making raspberry jam
• driving down to the lake to gather rocks and watch the sunset
• drive-in movies
• making homemade ice cream
• buying homemade donuts from a local bakery
• Beth and I reading Charlotte's Web
• visiting an art gallery and local museum

I just realized that most of the things on our bucket list are food related. Lol.

Personally, I have some fantastic books on the go: 

This summer I am pumped about attending the Global Leadership Summit on August 6&7th and can't wait to read Brene Brown and Jen Hatmaker's latest books coming out in August. 

I'm also loving this podcast.

And this song is on repeat.

Beth and I read Anne this past winter and now she is devouring the DVD's of Anne. I grew up on Anne and I'm loving connecting with her through Anne. So much nostalgia.

So in a nutshell, my summer means saying yes to:

• lazy mornings
• reading books
• creativity
• getting wet
• being spontaneous
• choosing connection above all else (so needed in the season we are in of building a house)
• pony tails
• ice cream
• bike rides
• making memories
• wearing a bikini (this blog post from last summer has inspired me)

I'm hoping to be keeping in mind that these are the days my girls will grow up and remember . This are the days that will fill their memory bank. These are the days where imagination and creativity have the opportunity to flourish. These are the days I want them to look back on with memories that are carefree and magical.

Enough about me. How are you savouring your summer? What are you saying yes to? How are you caring for yourself well and what's on your bucket list?

P.s. If you live in Niagara, check out these free activities throughout the summer.