Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Arms Wide Open to SUMMERTIME: A collection of IDEAS


The new June sunshine sparkles out every morning
and takes its time tucking below the earth each night...
it is summmmertime!  
It's time to slip some flip flops on and start some CLASSIC SUMMER FUN.




photo from Kotah's Campout Birthday party



I'm very excited to join with Design Dazzle this year for their annual "Summer Camp", a blog series squeezed full of ideas & projects to enjoy with your LITTLES this summer! I will be sharing on their site later this month, but head on over now to discover new ideas for your family summer 2012!


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I {great big heart} summer, although Christmas is still my favorite! Before I share my new ideas for this season, I wanted to provide a short resource of quick and fun ideas from the past to incorporate into your sunny season.

photo from our All American Soiree



A lonnnng time ago I shared a blog post,
 SKINNY MONEY SUMMER FUN,
a quick list of ideas to do that are free or almost free.  One of those ideas was joining in the summer reading programs that Barnes & Noble and the library offer.  We've been doing these programs since the kids were young. 

Sooo little and cute!


Last year, I created our own Family Summer READING program! Click here for details!


Another year I had all of our exciting summertime activities in a "fun and gratitude" bucket.  Some cards revealed summer fun we would do that week, while others revealed acts of service we would do for our community that week. Click here for all the details!



Of course WATER is the center of attention during the hottest months of the year!  A super sweet idea is to pack lunches in sand buckets before heading off to the beach!  The kids love to carry their own, dump them out, eat the goods, and then use the buckets to play in the sand. 

Another quick idea is to always keep your outdoor beach gear ready to go! I keep a basket by our back door with my towels rolled up, sunscreen, bug spray, water, and hats. It is ready to GRAB AND GO when we head out the door.  Click here for all the details on beach fun ideas.




Fruit is fun, bright, colorful, and RE-freshing on sunny days.  Keep snacks healthy with these ideas: click here for details on them.


My most loved quality about summertime is the extra long days and warm nights!

Add some PRETTY to your fun times and meals with:  

drinks over ice outside
mini sandwiches on sticks,
glow stick bottles to light up the dark, 
rainbow colored drinks
and ice cream truck parties!  

(click on each idea to be taken to the blog post details!)


Again, I will be joining in with Design Dazzle and their annual SUMMER CAMP blog event 
later this month so check back for new summer fun ideas...

 and love the day!



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This post is linked to:   Under the Table & Dreamin, Nifty Thrifty, Seasonal SundaysMet Monday, Making the World Cuter, Tuesday Tutorials and Tips, HOMEWORK: Be Inspired, Tasty Tuesday, Tempt My Tummy, Tip Junkie, Get Your Craft On, DIY Design, Works for Me Wednesday, Blue Cricket Design, Organize and Decorate Everything, Celebrations at Home,Transformation Thursday, House of H, Tablescape Thursday, Show off Your Stuff, Strut Your Stuff, 36th Ave  Show and Share Day, Foodie Friday, Frugal Friday, I'm Lovin It, Tickled Pink, Friday Flair, Design Dazzle, Be Different Act Normal, Funky Junk Interiors, Weekend Wrap Up  DIY by Design    

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

They are so cute and little in some of those pics!!!

Fun post for summertime! -Brandi

Sunshine said...

Love the fun ideas, but I REALLY LOVE the cute boys in each picture!!! -- Mom

Rebecca said...

I love Design Dazzle! And your blog! And summer! Perfect combination :)

caveman said...

What a lucky family you have!

Natasha Mairs - Serenity You said...

great ideas! now your newest follower

Holly Lefevre said...

Great ideas...or course I want to make a DIY slingshot!

Connie Nelson said...

Loved this post, liked you on Facbeook :)

Jenny said...

I'm not a big fan of summer in Phoenix! Yours sounds so much more fun!

Naptime Review said...

New follower from Whipperberry. You have lots of great tips and ideas on here. Newest GFC follower. Love for you to follow back when you get a chance ;)

www.thenaptimereview.com

Unknown said...

I think my favorite is the Long days, Long Nights. Those drinks look really Yummy. Stopping by from making the World cuter. I am a new follower. Hope to see you at True Aim. Thanks for sharing these!

Jennifer said...

Great ideas! Makes me want to plan an evening outside now!

Rosemary@villabarnes said...

Great summer inspiration, and your models are adorable.