What Kind of Summer Do You Want to Have?
Things are flying by at break-neck speed around here. The end of the school year is such a crazy time. There's so much going on that it feels impossible to stop and plan for our summer. And yet if we don't, we run the risk of not intentionally working toward our best summer possible.
So, what kind of summer do we want to have?
Our summer will come in phases. I only used one of my sick days this year, so I will get to use five of them for a week off and then the office is closed for another two weeks, for a total of a three-week vacation.
Phase One:
- We will be traveling with Matt's family to the San Juan Islands off of Seattle.
- Matt will take the boys for a couple hours each morning while I work. Then I will have the boys for the rest of the day.
Phase Two:
- The boys will stay home with a nanny, while Matt and I work [3 weeks].
- I start professional development with teachers while the boys continue to stay with the nanny [2 weeks].
- Matt and I will hopefully squeeze in a fun trip together.
- I'm going on a Reflection & Rejuvenation Retreat.
How do I want to structure my time with the boys?
- Fun adventures in the morning: Deep Eddy, Little Stacy Park, Train at Zilker Park, Cathedral of Junk, UT Bell Tower, Mayfield Park, Rock n River Aquatic Park
- Mid-day quiet time
- Play dates in the afternoon
How do I want to structure the nanny's time with the boys?
- 8:15am-10:30am = Morning adventure (Nature and Science Center; Thinkery; Splash Pad; Bullock Museum; Texas Memorial Museum; Wildflower Center; Pioneer Farms; Playground for All Abilities; Austin Animal Sanctuary; East Austin Zoo; Dinosaur Park; Roy Guerrero Park)
- 11:00am-12:00pm = Make, eat, and clean up after lunch
- 12:00pm-1:00pm = Quiet time in rooms
- 1:00pm-4:15pm = Play time at home
In terms of what I need to do to bring this vision to fruition: I need to send out a Doodle poll to get all the play dates scheduled in advance, and I need to use Care.com to find a nanny.
It feels so much better to have a plan!
I've always been like this. When I was around 8 years-old, I flew from California (where I lived with my mom) to Florida (to see my grandparents and my aunt). Each night, I would ask my aunt, "What is the plan for tomorrow?"
But what is my bigger vision for the summer?
I want to find balance this summer. I want to both work and relax. When I'm working, I want to be working on the highest-priority things and setting up systems and structures that will set us up to have an awesome third year of school. When I am relaxing, I want to spend time in the pool with my family, find new games to play with my husband, host backyard movie nights for the neighbors, go on new adventures around Austin and Texas. I want my sons to see me reading real books. I want to watch good movies on Netflix. I want to finally finish nesting in our house. I want to make popsicles and harvest watermelons out of the garden. I want to try new recipes. I want to be outside as much as possible.
There's a lot I need to do to make this vision possible!
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5 comments:
I'm so excited that you'll be close enough to see my city (Victoria) from the beach or a boat. If you can, whale watching is a must-do! I'm hoping to take my kids this summer as well. It's so wonderful to see animals in the wild (from a safe, respectable distance) instead of in a tank or aquarium. Enjoy your trip!
Myself, I want to spend the summer outside as much as possible. Creating (we're building a small playhouse and I have other projects on the go), gardening, reading, and relaxing! We have 2 trips planned and might also try camping. I'm a planner as well though, so without booking a camp site, that likely won't happen. I think since our kids have never camped, we'll camp for a night in our yard this year to see how it goes!
I'm so excited that you'll be close enough to see my city (Victoria) from the beach or a boat. If you can, whale watching is a must-do! I'm hoping to take my kids this summer as well. It's so wonderful to see animals in the wild (from a safe, respectable distance) instead of in a tank or aquarium. Enjoy your trip!
Myself, I want to spend the summer outside as much as possible. Creating (we're building a small playhouse and I have other projects on the go), gardening, reading, and relaxing! We have 2 trips planned and might also try camping. I'm a planner as well though, so without booking a camp site, that likely won't happen. I think since our kids have never camped, we'll camp for a night in our yard this year to see how it goes!
That's so awesome, Jennie! We got our passports and will be taking a day trip to Victoria (I think!). I'll be in touch to see if we can meet up and finally meet in person!
Very nice to see your plan, particularly because your summer work schedule is intense. Helps me plan :)
Summer is the time when I get to do the work I want and need to do, as opposed to trying to squeeze it in between the work things I have to do that do not help my long term goals. As a result, Summer is when my family and I are forced to choose between work and work....at least, that is how it feels. BUT - the plan this year, since we are moving (again - 5th time in 4 years) and I am also now in charge at work and have control over hiring, firing, delegation and so forth is to take four little vacations scattered across the summer - basically 3 extra long weekends to see fun things in the surrounding states, and one full week to see family. Additionally , because I want more quality time with fam, I'll head home early one day a week for extra play time. Not a traditional summer, but I've just started this position so this not a traditional year.
If production at work is such that particular projects come to an end by September, that will free us up for a mid-year vacation. The current plan is to take a trip in January, and then a more traditional vacation next summer. We'll see :)
Awesome, Anthropolochic! I love how intentional you're being, despite your busy-ness.
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