I am so excited that summer is finally here! Mother Nature has been rather cooperative, too. Giving us high temps and humidity that take me back to living in Florida. Yep, it’s been sticky here on Cape Cod. Our favorite beach is closed to protect the nesting area of a federally protected bird so I’ve been in need of some epic playdate ideas.
A few days ago, I read this awesome post by Heather Armstrong about getting out and getting away from it all with your family. About the importance of reconnecting with your loved ones. All to often we forget to do that. We get too busy. Too sucked up in the world of social media. Social Media is the new “keeping up with the Jonses'”. Although it doesn’t cost money, it’s costs time. And time is precious.
After reading her post, I looked over at my Summer Bucket List. I realized that many of the things on that list would offer my family time to connect and make memories. We could create a few epic playdates at home using the ideas on our list. I am looking forward to August when we’ll take a family trip to Martha’s Vineyard with my in-laws. Woo-hoo! It’s going to be amazing. But more importantly, I’m looking forward to having a few epic playdates at home.
Creating an epic playdate at home is easy, all you need is your kid and memories from your own childhood. As a kid, I always wanted a slip n’ slide; but it was vetoed by my dad for the potential damage it could cause to the lawn and by my mom for the potential damage it could cause to me. I always had to slip n slide at a friend’s house. We happened upon a Slip n Slide while shopping the other day, and it somehow made it’s way into our cart! We hooked it up to the hose, no one was injured and the lawn is just fine!
The Boy and I had a great time in our backyard splashing and acting like, well, kids! He loved it and is looking forward to hooking it up again soon. After playing in the water, it was time to put on dry clothing and have some ice cream.
{First we had to vote in the special election for the vacant Massachusetts Senate seat. That explains the “I voted sticker he’s wearing!}
We played outside in our new sandbox. That’s one of the best purchases that The Texan and I have made for The Boy. It entertains him for hours and we’re able to observe his creative play. To me, it’s one of the highlights of parenting.
Our appetites built up after so much activity and it was time for dinner. Nothing says summer to me like a nitrate/nitrite free Turkey hot dog on a grilled New England style hot dog bun. No ketchup for me, just mustard and diced onions.
You can draw additional inspiration for your own epic playdate by watching this short video:
http://clvr.li/14XKtnb
What does an epic playdate look like for your family?
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
