My Summer Bucket List
Here are the 100 things I hope to do this summer.
I kid, of course. More like. . .ten things. Summer doesn’t make me feel overly ambitious.
things to do this summer
- Read 30 books on my own. This basically means not staying up so late wasting time online. (By the way, I read the first few pages of The Intern’s Handbook and there was so much swearing and crassness that I swapped it out for a new book for my Summer Tell Me What to Read. You can see the new choice for June here).
- Make myself a dress. (Saw this dress at Anthropologie yesterday and thought, “I could make that.” And for a looooot less than $170)
- Have Pink Box Doughnuts. Somehow I’ve never been. This is so wrong.
- Figure out some form of exercise this summer and do it consistently (aren’t goals supposed to be concrete and measurable? I’m doing a bang-up job, obviously).
- Read all the Caldecott winners and honor books with Ella this summer (if you want the formatted 14-page list, you can print it off here).
- Visit the Bellagio with the girls.
- See a show with Bart. No idea what or where that show will be, but we had such a delightful time going to see Home Free in Utah, that I’m determined to go again.
- Go golfing with Bart. Preferably night golfing, so it’s not one million degrees.
- Makes s’mores in the backyard fire pit.
- Go bike riding with the girls in the trailer (super excited that my parents have a bike trailer).
If you have anything awesome plans for summer, I’d love to hear them. And then I’ll be sure to steal them.P.S. A few posts over at Disney Baby, should you need a little extra time-wasting on a Friday morning.
- Six popsicles you can make with only 1 ingredient
- 10 Ways I Stay Sane as a Stay-At-Home Mom (foolishly, I left “secret stash of chocolate” of the list).
- You Might Be a Little Sister If. . . . (but I’m not a little sister, so I have no idea what I’m talking about)
Hi Janssen, I just started an informal summer book club with some 7th graders and was wondering if you could recommend some books – I have a few requirements – girl protagonist but where boys can still relate, clean (aka age appropriate), action packed, meaningful theme/lessons. Can you email me your personal suggestions or send me some links please? I read one of your Babble articles but I thought I'd ask you specifically.
Iris, have you seen A Mighty Girl's website? Here is one list for 9-12 year olds from them http://www.amightygirl.com/mighty-girl-picks/2012-mighty-girl-books?age_range_filter=5
Thanks Elaine! I may have pinned that one from Pinterest. I'll look again.
Reading all of the Caldecotts is very ambitious!
If you haven't seen Cirque de Soleil, I've heard that they have several troupes in Vegas. They are amazing. Even if you have seen them, they have a number of different shows.
The dress is cute but I can't picture you in those colors.
Here is a Vegas suggestion for you, Frozen hit chocolate from Serendipity. My top bucket list item is trying the cupcake ice cream sandwich at Sprinkles while I visit SoCal this summer.
I'm glad to know I wasn't the only one to stop the intern's Handbook (and I only read the sample on Amazon!) I heard the Light between the Oceans was really good, its on my list.
Some of the members of Home Free are from my town! Aren't they great? Your list is perfect. (I love that you make lists…wish I were more goal-oriented now that I stay at home!) I am planning to do a "park tour" with my kids of all the parks in our town. Hoping it will help keep things interesting since we don't have a ton of exciting options in our small area.
The Light Between Oceans is excellent. I loved it. Good choice!
Have you been to Max Brenner? There's one in Caesars Palace. Their food is delicious and the desserts are fantastic. Might be a fun date night or family lunch/snack. 🙂
Pink Box is the best (and I am not a doughnut lover).
We have started taking the city bus to our weekly library special summer programs. Hey, for $1.60 and no parking hassles, the kids get a little adventure every week! If they stop being excited about it we'll go back to driving, but for now it's fun.
I've heard that Vegas has a theater made specifically for "The Phantom of the Opera" and that it's marvelous. Other options include driving 2 hrs. to St. George and going to a show at Tuahacan outdoor ampitheather (sp?). They do an amazing job with all of their productions!
I've heard that Vegas has a theater made specifically for "The Phantom of the Opera" and that it's marvelous. Other options include driving 2 hrs. to St. George and going to a show at Tuahacan outdoor ampitheather (sp?). They do an amazing job with all of their productions!
I've heard that Vegas has a theater made specifically for "The Phantom of the Opera" and that it's marvelous. Other options include driving 2 hrs. to St. George and going to a show at Tuahacan outdoor ampitheather (sp?). They do an amazing job with all of their productions!
I've heard that Vegas has a theater made specifically for "The Phantom of the Opera" and that it's marvelous. Other options include driving 2 hrs. to St. George and going to a show at Tuahacan outdoor ampitheather (sp?). They do an amazing job with all of their productions!
I just finished The Light Between Oceans and it was really compelling, although, warning, I thought my heart was going to completely stop and break toward the end. It didn't, but MAN, it wrung me dry. Also, if you're going to Spain (lucky–I did Study Abroad there) you might find "I, Juan de Pareja," by Elizabeth Borton de Trevino, to be interesting. It won the Newbery, and it's about the real-life assistant to Miguel Velazquez, Juan de Pareja, who prepared the artist's canvasses and mixed his colors. Juan studied his master, attempted to imitate him, and did quite well. Some of his paintings now hang in the Prado along with Velazquez. Fascinating take on their relationship.
I live in Henderson and have to recommend Friendly Donuts; Pink Box is fun with all their crazy flavors and whatnot, but Friendly donuts are consistently amazing. Pink Box tips: go to the original location where they actually make the donuts and get 'em hot and fresh; the cake donuts are usually better than the raised. But really, everyone's a winner when donuts are involved 🙂
Where did you get your girls swimsuits? They are darling!!
I have to agree with Adrienne. I kept hearing about pink box and how amazing they were. We finally went last weekend and I was unimpressed. They tasted stale and we went pretty early in the morning. They were raised donuts and not cake so maybe that's why? Friendly donuts are the best donuts I've had here. So, so good!