How I'll Spend My Summer Vacation

How I'll Spend My Summer Vacation
By Allyson Brandt

I know it's customary to write this essay at the beginning of the school year, but I thought I would get a jump on things this year. I'm planning on having a really great summer.

To start things off, I want to be outside. The winter was long and cold, and I'm welcoming the heat with open arms. 90 degrees by 11 AM? Bring on the sunscreen and wide-brimmed hat. I want to swim and splash in the fountains. I want to see outdoor movies and live music. I want to pack away my jeans until October and wear nothing but flowy skirts and sundresses. I want to eat outside--find one of those adorable picnic baskets and a shady spot and eat fresh berries, corn on the cob and maybe even a hot dog or two.

Speaking of food--I want to make homemade ice cream this year. I have a fancy ice cream maker that we received as gift when we got married and I've never used it. Time to brush the dust off and churn away. I also want to spend time meandering through all the farmer's markets that have popped up in my area.

I want to get reacquainted with the morning. I've been sleeping so much recently, and I want to be up earlier in the day. Watch the sunrise, do some yoga, and start summer days off refreshed.

I want to read and write. They are my two favorite things, after all--so why aren't I doing more of them? I have a whole wish list of books to read this summer. You can check it out here.

I want to introduce Little Man to some summer traditions, like sparklers, water balloons and fireflies. Do you remember the first time you caught a firefly?

But most of all this summer, I'm going to--as an old friend like to put it--put stress in a bubble and blow it away. It's time to slow the pace, take time to explore, walk barefoot in the grass, and build sand castles. It's time to ride a Ferris wheel, run through a sprinkler and drink lemonade. It's time for summer.

A penny for your thoughts: do you get a summer break? How will you spend it?