Our Summer Bucket List

When I set off to scribble down this year’s Summer bucket list, I started with a giant-tipped red marker and began to un-scroll wide easel paper for easy hanging.

In hopes of getting everyone involved, I asked questions, I brainstormed, I brought to mind those fun loving memories from year’s prior– even though Evan is the only one who can actually remember that far back!

Jotting down what each of us wanted for our Summer, we all contributed and I made a nice long list, possibly even a wee bit too long. Because you know, with the parent/child ratio shot, it’s a different ball game this year. 3 against 2 is going to take some good planning. We got a crawler (Ay de Mi!), a sprinter, and when tired - a non-listener. Mighty fine mix there, for outings. (Ha!)

That lengthy list hung high upon the glass-cut backdoor, and just as the afternoon light beamed through, I wondered if something more tangible might work better. You know, to get the kids excited and involved in PLAY! Shoot, maybe even for some unequivocal accountability from my 4 year old! ‘Cause that’s where I’m at folks. Yup. I’ve been lacking severely in the PLAY department these days. Can’t say it’s because I am not completely overwhelmed by three, all dabbling into three different doings. Or from boredom (eek – did I just admit that?) Or from feeling like I could be accomplishing a million other tasks. Or just from plain and simple selfishness. Agh!

So now, if not solely for those three kids, then for me, to get the party started. And heck, how am I gonna say no to something original, something crafty, and totally me. I began to dream. It may sound shallow but I do pray for creativity. After all, God is the ultimate CREATIVE GENIUS. I always knew there was a certain amount of gifting I bestow, but I know it’s not really all mine to take credit for. So then, it was pieced together…slowly, but surely..

And even if there ever be another bucket list exactly so, I would not know it. Inspiration is out there for these, but I do believe this is original – I don’t mention that for the glory and praise to myself, but really to a pretty cool God, who came through- got the ball rolling, pushed me in the right direction, and mind you- it also serves as a sweet little piece of art for our summer mantle. You know how I like a pretty little mantle for hospitality sake, if nothing more. :)

That said (sigh!), did you ever know I'm sort of a hoarder - on a small scale. I keep things I think I'll use, I'll buy things just because it's on sale, I like junk, etc. Most of my close friends know I have about $483,943 worth of Scrap-booking supplies just sitting in a perfectly dusty scrap-booking tote. It sounds sickening, but its true: I DON'T SCRAPBOOK (and I'm not gonna feel bad about that - because I blog at least.)

I fell for all the little foo-foo paper cut out thinga-ma-gigs. When Evan was just a tot, I continued to work my nanny gig. And, yeh... most of my paycheck when to, you guessed it, scrap-booking supplies. I'm talking pretty paper galore, stamps, and brads, and croc-o-dile doodads, hole punchers, and omg, the inventory could go on, but let's face it, I haven't seen it in so long - I can't even recall the fancy names anymore. Adam always gets on me about this junk I stash deep within our closets. And sometimes I even feel bad, though not bad enough for that possible rainy day. ;)

That's why, when this idea came, I knew it wasn't from me. It was a craft, a simple Summer bucket list constructed from a pile of things I ALREADY HAD! Think of it!

So, here it is


 our Summer Bucket List: 

 

the mantle:
 

each bucket contains a clue to what we are going to check off:

building a sand castle:

Seaworld (maybe, hoping, not sure cuz tickets cost the earth)
 

family worship night:
 

So that's the nifty little craft I put together in a couple hours. Hope this inspires you to get out and PLAY with your little ones. And possibly create one of your own...go for it!

... the buckets are from Micheal's - a 40% off coupon will get you out the door only 12 dollars poorer. (Had some from Nick's baby shower.)

...the LIVE sign was a buck (Micheal's)

...floral wire (again Michael's)

...Ikea frame (cheap!)

everything else was from my scrapbook bag of embellishments

And if you're extra curious?

1)Disneyland

2)Rodeo/peting zoo

3)Delver cookies to grandmas

4) Art Night

5) Angel game

6) Birthday party for Daddy

7)Pony ride

8) Sandcastles

9) Shoot some hoops

10) Watermelon picking

11) Picnic

12)Aruba vacation

13) Family Pizza night and homemade ice cream

14) Fishing with daddy

15) Visit baby Austin

16) Seaworld

17) Family Worship night

18) Backyard campout/s'mores

There are many more to add to that list.... much more probable and frugal activities found here: