Most Certainly Not: Summer Slow Down

It's July already. I don't deal well with regret--I try not to have any & if something goes awry and I am aware that regret is possible, I pull back on the reins and try to manage a 180.

Summer 2012 is providing me with the red flags that regret is on the horizon. I need to quickly apply some force or I will be sad when next month shows on the calendar.

So far this summer I have spent no appreciable time with my girls--especially the two of them together. They have been here, there, and everywhere but home. I understand this is a phenomenon known to many parents, but frankly, at their ages, this is a little too early for me to accept the empty nest. I take partial blame too because my job's busiest time is from mid-May to mid-July.

I want to document my plans for July and early August here so it's staring me in the face, in writing, so I don't miss the chance to say we had fun this summer.

My husband has AT this month, so the girls and I will be fending for ourselves anyway. We will need to keep things interesting, so while I will also entertain their additions to the list (if I ever see their faces before I launch the list myself!), here is what I have planned for us before I head to Vegas at the end of the month.

Ft. W's Lest We Have No Regrets List of Summer 2012

1. Re-read To Kill A Mockingbird -- M1's English project this summer was to have an adult select a book that the adult read and enjoyed as a middle schooler & then discuss that book with the adult. She recently finished the book. I'm thinking of killing two birds with one stone and reading the book aloud at night to M2 so we can all talk about the book. It's a wonderful book; my very favorite book to share.

2. A Girls' Night to the movies -- I want to take the girls to see Brave. I know M1 is a little older than the demographic, but she is good about things like that. We can make an evening of it complete with, perhaps, dessert after the movie at The Melting Pot. I don't imagine having M2 eat much more than things dipped in chocolate at that restaurant. Would still be fun.

3. Find our annual passes and visit Newport Aquarium -- New exhibits at the aquarium will make the trip even more fun. I'm always up for the penguins. M2 loves the sharks. M1 loves the jellyfish room.

I have asked the girls for input as well. Of course the oldest came back with "manicures & lunch" and I'm sure the youngest will come back with some outdoor activity that requires an extra dose of deodorant & perhaps a first-aid kit on standby.

We shall see!