Summer List 2011

Now that I have this blog I would love to start a new tradition (and copy what I have seen others in the blog world do) and plan out fun activities for the summer.  I realize I am a bit late with this list (and some of the list has already been accomplished, thank you very much), but I like having "lists".  I'm a list girl.  I find pleasure in crossing things off.   Plus, when the weekends come I can eyeball the list and have no doubt there is plenty to do! 

Some items are obvious (go to the beach), but somehow listing the goals make me feel like I'm enjoying summer and enjoying the season.   I'm not just stuck at work all summer; never enjoying the carefree nature of the season. 

Without further delay....here we go:

Summer 2011 goals:

• Go to Portugal for 2.5 weeks and start the season off great!!  DONE!!
• Go hiking (strolling) at Breakheart Reservation in Saugus
• Plan a Red Sox night!
• Our annual fried clam meal in Essex (Woodman's!) with VoVo
• Go to the Children's Museum, Aquarium, Zoo, or Butterfly Farm
• Plant flowers (thanks daddy) - our favorites Dahlias (we have planted them every year since Alex came to the states, they remind me of "us")
• Cut Hydrangeas from our garden and ENJOY them!!
• Spend time outside everyday enjoying Daddy's hard work 
• Plant a vegetable garden (thanks daddy) include Anderson's favorite - Butternut Squash and something fun (beans - they are growing and getting out of control)
• Harvest our vegetable garden as we go   
• Library (signing books)
• Go fishing with Daddy (Anderson and his Daddy)
• Go to Salem Willows  
• Visit Richardson's and the cows!  (and eat ice cream)
• Visit Brooksby Farm and the animals
• Sign up for Gymboree (or Little Gym) for the hot swealtering days
• Plan a play date with the birthday twins
• Attend daycare's family day (??) 
• Make waffles and strawberry sauce with our strawberries 
• Make strawberry shortcake with our strawberries
• Enjoy fresh blueberry pancakes (farm stand fresh) 
• Beach Day with the Tias
• Eat lots of watermelon
• Try root bear floats
• Lobsterfest
• mani and pedi (with vovo too) 
• Crab Legs with Uncle Tom
• Make homemade ice cream (strawberry, french vanilla)
• eat fresh blackberries from our garden - thanks Daddy
• visit farm stands (purple potatoes and fresh corn)
• Enjoy Kiddie Pool 
• Concerts in the Park (Sundays 6-8pm Leather City Commons 7/17 to 8/14)
• Picnic in the park (see above) 
• Farmers market in Peabody (at the Library 8/13 to 9/17), Tuesday at the Courthouse
• Briana's Play - Shakespeare in the Park
• Craft - laminate pictures of family/friends to teach Anderson
• Open fire pit BBQ (steak tips, hot dogs, smores, and ribs)
• visit neighbors fire pit!
• go to Bradley Palmer (in Topsfield) water park

Summer is such a fun time.  I hope to enjoy it as a family and have as much fun as possible.  I want to have these all checked off by September 21!

Enjoy!!