Ahhhhhh…summer. It really is the most wonderful time of the year. I may be a bit biased because up until about 2 years ago I had spent my whole life in school (as either a student or a teacher) so summer has always just been the thing I looked forward to all year. Now that I have kids, though, I’m more excited for summer than ever before. Again, I may be a bit biased–as a stay-at-home mom in rainy Seattle I really can’t wait to get the kids outside and finally do something.

A few months ago I made a spring bucket list. I’m happy to report that I have checked off every item from that list…except for two: “plant something” and “fix our yard” (I knew those were bad ideas even as I was writing them. In my defense, though, I did buy a potted basil plant from Trader Joe’s and it’s still alive. I also have managed to keep the dog poop mostly picked up from our back yard, so that’s kinda like fixing the yard, too.). My favorite discovery from my spring bucket list was visiting new parks in our area. I found a lovely gem a few miles away with a wetland boardwalk and a large playground–we’ve already spent several afternoons exploring there.

Now it’s time to see what summer has to offer. This summer will be different from any other that I’ve ever experienced as we’ll be moving to Ireland in July. But what would summer be without a healthy dose of adventure mixed in? Here’s a bit of what I’m planning for this season:

• Build sand castles at the beach
• Climb a real castle (yay, Ireland!)
• Pick fresh berries from a U-pick farm
• Ride the car ferry over to Whidbey Island or the Olympic Peninsula for a day trip
• Catch the ice cream man
• Take in some free children’s concerts in the park
• Throw a killer first birthday party for my little Jacob!
• Walk down Alki Beach and pretend like I’m in California
• Take in a firework show
• Get a pedicure so my feet look cute in flip flops
• Eat a picnic dinner in a park
• Watch an outdoor movie
• Take the free ferry over to Jetty Island for some play time at the warm water beach
• Make our own Popsicles and eat them outside
• Play in the kiddie pool we have hidden under our deck
• Play with sidewalk chalk
• See a parade (be in a parade?!)
• Take David to a baseball game
• Barbecue. Lots and lots of BBQ.
• NOT get a sunburn
• Go bowling (kids bowl free in the summer!)
• Walk barefoot in the sand
• Borrow my parents’ stand-up paddle boards and get out on the water
• Read books with my kids outside under the trees
• Go to a farm
• Go hiking
• Watch a beautiful sunset
• Fly a kite
• Swim
• Roast marshmallows over a fire
• Go to the fair
• Run through the sprinkler
• Play mini golf
• Go on a nature walk
• Play with water balloons
• Blow bubbles
• Make ice cream in a bag
• Rest (I don’t know how I’ll have time to fit that one in with all of these other fun ideas, but it seems like it would be a good idea!)

What are some of your favorite summertime activities? I’d love some fresh ideas!