Monday, August 15, 2011

Summer with Friends and Family......

Summer is an amazing time of the year. My children get to be children and my schooling takes a backseat while I invest in them. At times it can be overwhelming having them home 24/7 especially when my spouse is away. Thankfully with grace, patience and lots of things to do summer isn't a (belly) flop!

Here is a list of things we did here in Ft.Bragg/Fayetteville N.C. and the surrounding areas:
-we went to the pool regularly
-played LOTS of board games on blazing hot days
-went to movies @ Omni Cinemas and Pope theatre, we love Movie Monday's where it is a dollar.
-went hiking @ Raven Rock and playing in Lanier Falls
-Spent lots of time visiting with good friends
-Lots of sleep overs
-Walking around CrossCreek mall
-$2 Tuesday's @ Marbles Museam
-Looking for games @ GameStop
-Walks in the evening
-Smore Roast in the backyard with friends, the children love going to the woods for sticks and firewood.
-Movies with blankets and popcorns
-MATH yes....math! And other educational activities.
-Lots of art at the table covered with a vinyl table cloth. Everything from painting to playdough to cutting and pasting.
-Trips to Kure Pier for icecream and fishing.
-THE BEACH!
-Picnic's with friends
-Snuggle and read books
-Play with long lost or forgotten toy's
-Scaling back on stuff by selling and donating it as a family
-Teaching the children how to do things like washing the dishes and folding laundry
-Busch Gardens (free admission to park once a year)
-A Spa day just for Mom as the children have a fun day of their own
-Icecream @ Sunny Skies on the way back from Raleigh
-The Shrimp Fest @ Sneeds Ferry
-The Public Library reading program....this year they had a magician!
-The NC Zoo...if you buy the family Membership it gets you into NC Aquariums Free of Charge!


      My favorite thing we did this summer was just spending time with friends having coffee, eating, laughing and talking and going places. Summer is such a great time to get the children together let them play and reconnect with friends.  Really when your around your children 24/7 it is refreshing to add some other people to the mix. It is refreshing to take a break from constant interaction and relate to someone else for a change. Really my children appreciate having other children that they can play new games with.  As a Mom it is great to spend time with an other women and be able to talk about mutual interest and not have to fill a need or fix a problem. So as you have your summer fun I encourage you to invite a friend or another family along.