1) Take a quick day trip. No, I don't mean just to the grocery store or Wal-mart...although I agree that these can be considered day trips when you take 3 kids alone. Seriously, take a day trip to a place nearby that you've never explored. Perhaps there's a waterfall, hiking trail, or even an amusement park nearby. The trick here is to make sure it's somewhere new. New = more memories, which in turn helps you squeeze the most out of your remaining days. Get to researching folks!
2) Do a science experiment. Okay, I totally understand if you are rolling your eyes right now, especially if you have younger kiddos, but trust me. Search the net, or my fave, Pinterest. Look for something that will interest you and the young minds in your home. If you do the searching, you get to dictate the level of messiness (& not to mention the $ amount). This is not only educational, but it's something that can potentially "wow" your kiddos and give you something to talk about for days. (FYI - my kids want to see how many rubber bands it will take to make a watermelon burst open...I'm kind of curious myself too!)
3) Take a long nap. I'm not kidding. You don't want to take a nap every day because then you'll just sleep away your last few days, but pick a day (or maybe two) and take a good, long nap. I'm talking one of those drooling, wake-up with your hair plastered to your face long, hard naps. You've worked so hard during the school year, and some of you have worked extremely hard during the summer, so you deserve to take a nap. Have your own kids? Take your nap when they do; don't worry about a messy house or dishes in the sink because it'll be there when you wake up. Just take a nap.
4) Complete an art project. Again, you choose the genre, supplies, cost, etc. You could go to a painting studio and take one of those classes or you could lead the project yourself at home. This can be complete with your kiddos or alone. Whether you're an artist or not, art is truly for almost everyone. It is therapeutic and allows you to relieve stress. You don't have to display the art work if you don't want to because it's the simple act of completing the piece that will have you thanking me later for adding it to this list. You're welcome!
5) Choose something to organize. If you're a teacher, chances are that you like to have organization in your life. I didn't say you were organized, just that you like to have organization. I like it too, but my house stays messy because I can't keep up with my three kiddos! I get it, trust me! Anyway, choose a spot in your home that you usually neglect. (for me, it's my bedroom). Spend a few hours organizing that area-just that area. Once school goes back, you will feel good about that area, and it will serve as a visual reminder of your summer.
6) Turn on the radio, turn it up loud, and DANCE! Again, this can be done with an audience or not. But, go ahead, find some tunes and cut a rug. This will help relieve any stress that you may be feeling about the upcoming school year, and if you choose to do this with an audience, it'll create some memories (& most likely some funny reenactment stories for later!) So, go ahead, put on your dancing shoes and get jiggy with it! (Ha! I bet you're singing that song now...)
Okay, so that's only 6 tips, but hopefully plenty of ideas are flowing through your mind on ways to capture the most memories, and get the biggest bang for your buck so to speak, from your summer break...aka Recharging Time!
Thanks for stopping by!
Elaine, Teaching Lane
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