Today is the last day of term, and school is officially out for the summer holidays!

Ever since the girls started school a few years ago, I’ve made it my mission to ensure that every holiday is as much fun as possible, whilst making the most of the time we have together as a family – creating memories and capturing moments.  Of course this is easier said than done, with my husband and I still needing to work throughout the summer months in order to pay the mortgage and put food on the table.

Over the last couple of summers I’ve learnt that it’s less about juggling and more about balance.

I recognise that it’s important for the girls to have a bit of time away from us in order to meet new people, try new things and be in different environments, so they are going to Kids Club for one and a half days per week, which means I can continue to see clients and supervisees.  They are really looking forward to it and I know they’ll have a blast.  The rest of the time they’ll be with me (and their Dad too when he’s not working).

Over the years it has become a tradition of ours to write a list of ideas of fun stuff for us to do and stick it on the fridge so we can tick things off as we go.  This summer I’ve been inspired by some friends of mine in America, Josh and Jenny Solar, who co-created The Happy Family Movement.  Every year they orchestrate the Summer Bucket List Challenge, and I’ve decided to unofficially take part.  I’ll be posting here about the fun stuff we get up to (and the lessons I learn along the way, of which I’m pretty sure there will be many) as the weeks go by, using the hashtag #happyfamilysummer.  Why not join in the fun?

This is our Summer Bucket List, proudly displayed in the kitchen for all to see:

~  Watch ‘The Gruffalo’ at the Gatehouse Theatre

~  Do the Stepping Stones walk at Cannock Chase

~  Play at the Town Park in Stafford

~  Have a picnic

~  Do the Gruffalo Trail at Birches Valley

~  Visit Trentham Gardens

~  Go to Wonderland in Telford

~  Visit Gentleshaw Wildlife Sanctuary and Fletchers Garden Centre

~  Watch ‘Frozen’ at Shugborough Open Air Cinema

~  Nana to come and visit us

~  Go to a café

~  Go swimming

~  Go bowling

~  Play games on Milford Common

~  Have a BBQ

~  Arts and crafts

~  Playdates with friends

~  Go to the beach

~  Watch the sunset

~  Play crazy golf

I’ve since added a couple more of my own:  Have a water balloon fight in the back garden; play in the paddling pool; and my husband and I to go out for dinner/cinema (because it’s important that we have time to ourselves too).

I’m excited already, and wondering what we’re going to do this weekend to get started!

I’d love to hear about your Summer Bucket Lists and plans for a #happyfamilysummer, so feel free to share by leaving a comment below.  🙂