"Do the Fun Thing. Write the Fun Thing Down." And Other Summer Traditions.

I mentioned last week that we kick off summer with a couple of simple traditions: Starbucks with friends as soon as finals are over, "summer baskets" full of goodies I think they'll need and/or enjoy throughout the summer months, and photos in their "class       of ___ " shirts (see below).

Beyond that, we've gravitated away from summer traditions, bucket lists, activity calendars, chore charts, and/or job jars. We've been there, done (all of) that, but with each passing year this organization and these "systems" have slowly faded into the background...which makes sense given my kids' ages. I still like to document our summers though, so a couple of years ago I started using an approach borrowed from Emily Ley (the founder of the Emily Ley Simplified Planner and the Simplified brand): a summer memory list.

"Do the fun thing. Write the fun thing down. Pressure off."

Hallie made us both adorable checklists
on which to document our summer fun.

I hope your summer is full of fun things.

~

For the last time before the "Class of 2025" actually becomes the Class of 2025...

End of Kinder

End of 1st Grade

End of 2nd Grade

End of 3rd Grade

End of 4th Grade

End of 5th Grade

End of 6th Grade

End of 7th Grade

End of 8th Grade

End of 9th Grade

End of 10th Grade
(Last year he only agreed to be
photographed if he could hold Plié.)

End of 11th Grade

End of 11th Grade Bonus
(It seems Plié remembered these photos from
last year and wanted to join in on the fun again.)

~

Somehow this pipsqueak already has a year of high school under her belt:

End of Kinder

End of 1st Grade

End of 2nd Grade

End of 3rd Grade

End of 4th Grade

End of 5th Grade

End of 6th Grade

End of 7th Grade.

End of 8th Grade

End of 9th Grade

It goes SO fast...

~

Note: I say this every year, and I'll say it again - I should have started with a bigger or less fitted cut of shirt for my girl...not sure why I went with the baby tee. 😂