Everything we did and everywhere we went!
I have taken a step back from sharing lately. I wanted to soak in as much summer time with the kids as I could, and I'm so glad that I did. Summer just seems to fly by too quickly. While I was ready for us to get back to a routine, I wasn't ready for summer to end just yet.
We spent as much time outside as we could. We went on a few trips and did family activities with cousins. It was such a fun summer. I have listed my top 5 favorite summer highlights with the kids just below here. I hope it gives you some ideas for next summer, which I know sounds crazy, but things book up quickly!
2024 Summer Highlights
Free Family Fun Time: We had lots and lots of cousin time this summer. We kicked off summer with the Bike Rodeo at the Covington Family YMCA where I work. The kids learned about bike safety and did lots of fun outdoor activities. Afterwards, we got ice cream at Scoops (not free) and went to the lake for a swim and food. Other days, the boys and the cousins had water balloon fights in the yard. They helped me garden and with the chickens. They played in the treehouse that my husband built and came inside for homemade pudding. They played in the rain, and they laid in the sun. It was some good summer days in our house!
Like the Bike Rodeo, we took advantage of other free events thrown by the city. We attended a free concert at the beginning of summer (along with more cousins), and we enjoyed much free music on the Covington Square every Thursday afternoon. We had plenty of picnics on blankets this summer.
2. Beach Trip: This was our second year in a row going to Mexico Beach, and we had an absolute blast! We stayed in a house right beside the beach, and the best part was we had a pool at the house for the kids to swim all day long. We took all the kids to the state park in Cape San Blas for a day where we found so many crabs and other creatures, went on a nature walk and swam. To top off the day, we stopped for dinner at Indian Pass Raw Bar, which was so very tasty! After all the digging in the sand and swimming in the ocean, we let the kids craft on the beach by painting seashells. It was so precious to watch. The kids (and the adults) had the best time together.
3. Summer Camps: My oldest has gone to Country Kids Camp for the past two summers with his cousin, and they have loved it! My middle son has not been able to go because he wasn't old enough yet. However, this year, they opened up Saturdays in the month of August. So, for my middle son's birthday this year, he was able to go for a day at the Country Kids Camp. The staff said they were certain he had the most fun out of all of the kids, which made me so happy to hear. The camp has a big pond, paddle boats, a rope swing, a big mud pit, volleyball, fishing, archery, and so much more. The kids have an absolute blast, and I'm certain that we will continue this tradition each summer.
At the end of summer, I signed my oldest up for Art Camp at Wild Art on the square in Covington, Ga. He absolutely loved it and came home with so much art, I couldn't believe it. I will definitely be sending my middle son once he's old enough too. I think anything hands on is great for kids at this age, and by introducing art at a young age, I believe it can help show them an alternative outlet for stress management (or a genuine love for it!).
4. Mountain Trip: We go to the mountains in Ellijay, Ga quite often because we have a camper that stays there permanently. Over the fourth of July weekend, we stayed in the camper where we rode the ranger to find creeks for the boys to walk around in and swim. We went kayaking and tubing down the river and swam in the pool. We watched fireworks from downtown with family and friends, and when it rained, I let the boys paint rocks and pictures on the deck. Keep it simple when they are young. The simpler, the better!
On another mountains trip, we went to Cartecay Vineyards with the kids and our dog, which was so much easier than I was anticipating. We packed a picnic basket, listened to a live band and my husband and I shared a bottle of wine. The boys (and our dog) had a blast running around in the vineyards, and one of the main attractions for me was the little living room area inside with kids toys and couches. It was so much more kid-friendly than I was expecting. I highly recommend going if you're ever in the area.
5. Splash Pad Fun: I can't believe it took me so long to find out there was a splash pad near us. I found out about the Ayers Park Splash Pad at the end of last summer. So I made a promise to do it again this summer. I took all the boys and their cousin one day, and I packed them a small lunch to eat there while they played in the water. It's such a good time for young kids on a hot day, and it's very inexpensive.
While summer time was a blast, I am looking forward to the upcoming fall weather and festivities. We are already setting out pumpkins and picking out Halloween costumes. I plan on sharing some of our holiday crafts and kid-friendly recipes through the end of the year. So stay tuned!
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