The last day of school arrives today with exams soon to follow. We are entering big-time study mode around here. By the 18th we'll be done with this school year and looking forward to Closing Ceremonies and Claire's prom at the Boulevard Club.
After that?
Summer holidays! Whoot :D
Last year, I had hoped to participate in Ali Edwards' Summer Manifesto album and even bought the templates. I never got around to making that leap from intention to album, though all of the things planned to do last year were thoroughly enjoyed. Sometimes it has to be enough to simply enjoy the every day. Right?
[ETA: Coincidentally, Ali Edwards has a post up today with an updated 2013 cover for the album!]
I recently read my friend Katrina's summer manifesto and it jolted my memory. I do like the idea of setting forth an intention. A manifesto. For this summer 2013, this is the plan:
HELLO SUMMER
- Make as many meals as possible outside on the barbeque.
- Take a quick walk and use our new membership and meet friends for swimming and fun at the Oakville Club.
- Watch at least one television series I've missed.
- Enjoy plenty of baseball and softball games - and practices, too.
- Send Cole off to British Columbia on a service trip for a few weeks.
- Read many novels, immerse myself in purely fiction and fantasy.
- Visits with the cousins and the welcoming of a new one.
- Write morning pages. Every. Day.
- Take Chloé to leadership camp - twice!
- Make and eat s'mores with the outside firepit!
- Ride my bike as often as the weather allows.
- Clean out and organize the garage.
- Help my sister - and family - move into their new house.
- Enjoy our annual holiday in Cape Cod.
- Play a few rounds of golf, at the very least head to the driving range a few times - or practice chipping and putting
- Enjoy lazy lunches with friends at Jonathan's.
- Take day trips to Stratford, Canada's Wonderland, Niagara Falls, Muskoka (cottage & camp country) and Marineland.
- Take Caden to the Nintendo Wii U Tour.
- Settle Claire into her dorm at Queen's.
- Celebrate my 49th birthday!
There will be a lot going on. I expect many concerts, parties and sports events to be attended with many teenagers (mine and others) walking in and out of my house on a regular basis for the next ten weeks. No doubt I will be busy keeping the fridge stocked full and asking (er, yelling) for the screens to be shut tight. No doubt there will be a few arguments about who gets the keys to the truck. Along with late nights will be lazy mornings with a lot of sleeping in - the kids, not me. I will enjoy the mornings with a cup of coffee and quiet time to journal and reflect, followed by a nice long walk.
In essence, I will spend my summer ...
1. making every effort to keep up with my kids
2. remembering to say yes as often as possible - summer is about them
3. making an effort to keep a routine for myself so I don't go wiggy!
Wish me luck!
How about you? Big plans? Small plans? Big changes? No changes? How do you manage your summer?
