I’ve spent most of this year being scared to look too far ahead. Knowing that another surgery was on the cards for Jessica, possibly before she was due to start school felt like a huge cloud hanging over my head. When we were told a few weeks ago that the cardiac team were happy with Jessica’s progress and that they were not planning to do her next surgery for another year or two, it felt like a huge weight suddenly lifted from my shoulders. To be able to relax and look forward to the summer is the most amazing feeling. This summer feels like a significant one too – the last summer before Jessica starts full-time school and I’m determined to make the most of it and fill it with wonderful memories before September comes. This year, for the first time, I’ve sat down with hubby and the girls and we’ve created a summer activities list together.
There’s a mixture of things on our list – big challenges, days out, fun family activities, simple everyday things – some picked by me and hubby, others specified by the girls themselves. Here are the things that we’re hoping to do this summer:
- Travel from Lands End to John O’Groats – our challenge for the summer is to travel the length of the country by public transport. We’re still in the process of planning at the moment but hopefully we’ll get to do it!
- Play board games together as a family.
- Get the paddling pool out.
- Do some drawing – one of Jessica’s requests – given that there’s rarely a day going by without a request from her to sit and draw, I don’t think we’ll have any problems ticking this one off the list!
- Go to the beach.
- Footprint painting in the garden.
- Visit Langley Park.
- Have a picnic.
- Visit Chiltern Open Air Museum.
- Having a film night as a family.
- Go for a fairytale walk.
- Grow sunflowers – probably the most challenging item on the list unless I can get hold of some part-grown ones as despite having planted several, we’ve had no success so far. The only one that looked like it was going to grow got picked by the girls one afternoon in the garden.
- Watch the sunset.
- Find a trail to follow.
- Read three new books together.
- Visit Bekonscot model village – I did this with the girls last week so technically have ticked this one off but they want to visit again with Daddy so it’s staying on the list.
- Have bubbles in the garden.
- See some fairies – another request from Jessica – thankfully I’ve discovered a fairies and elves trail to follow later this summer!
- Bake cakes.
It sounds like an achievable list and I’m looking forward to seeing if we can tick them all off over the summer. I’ve drawn up a calendar and made a note of various trails and events happening so that we can try and join in with some of those too.
Do you have a summer bucket list? What things are you hoping to do with the kids this summer?
This sounds a lovely list for the summer. My daughter has made a list of things to do too. Hope you have a lovely summer without worrying about hospitals. #bloggerclubuk
Thank you Fran – hope you have a lovely summer too 🙂
Oh I love this list! What a lovely idea! I can’t wait to hear about it after the summer! Footprint painting sounds particularly fab! Enjoy your summer together all of you! 🙂
Thank you Rebecca – we’ve done the footprint painting and ticked off a few on the list so far! Hope you have a lovely summer too 🙂
I am so happy that you’ve been able to plan all of these amazing activities and have a summer of fun together! As much as we accept being heart mamas there is also that craving to be just a normal family and enjoy the normal simple things like spending the summer together. ❤ xx
It is so lovely to be able to look forward to the summer and have that time of feeling “normal” – I will certainly be making the most of it! x
Bubbles!! You can’t go wrong with bubbles! 😉
What a fab idea and how exciting to travel the length of the country! Great fun. I might replicate something similar myself!
Also, such fab news that the Drs are happy with Jessica’s progress, that’s really wonderful!
#BloggerClubUK
This is such a good idea and lots of lovely activities for you all to enjoy. I am going to make one for us, we really need to make the most of this summer too before Alice heads of to school. x #bloggerclubuk
Brilliant news about Jessica not needing further surgery. It must be such a weight off your mind and now you’re all free to enjoy the summer.
The Lands End to John O’Groats idea sounds incredible. Great for giving children a picture of our country although I’m sure I’d never convince ShireMum to go on such a journey with Tilly. Some of the destinations look familiar to us of course – I’ve just posted a what’s on guide should you need any more ideas – but you look pretty organised. Love the mix of simple pleasures like the paddling pool and bubbles too.
Ah what a lovely list, plenty to keep you busy but achievable too – well except the travelling the country on public transport sounds like a logistical challenge haha! Great news about the surgery, I can imagine the relief you must feel. Enjoy your summer with your gorgeous girls! #triballove
I love the approach you’ve taken with post it notes and a calendar to view the Summer. The events I like are all in my diary but it’s not a month to view sadly. #BloggerClubUK
Thanks Helena – I found it easier to draw out the calendar so I could keep track of the events – otherwise I’d end up forgetting what was on!