Summer is my favorite season. Even when the temperature soars into the 90s and 100s I prefer it over winter cold. Summer means swim trunks all day and less laundry for me. We’ve been enjoying the hot weather this week…
Super heroes are running around with only their capes and masks. I’ll be sad when they outgrow costumes.
We do a lot outside in the morning before it gets too hot. There is a local park called Ray Harral Nature Park (for you local folk) that we love to hike around. We usually pack a lunch, but if you go let me warn you the picnic tables are DIRTY…pack a tablecloth.
Since FireCracker is SLOW moving these days, I had planned on carrying her on my back the whole time.
She was adamant about walking by herself.
Somebody didn’t get his way.
This is my favorite picture from the hike. The settings are: 1/320, f/1.8, ISO 100, 85mm lens. I changed my focal point to the bottom right (the little squares that light up on the inside of your camera when you are focusing…in manual you can change which one you want to use). I love how all the trees frame them.
Another seemingly daily summer activity around here is water fights. She is learning well from her brothers. She also pulled out her pajama shirt and cried to wear it. I gave in.
Here are some fun links for summer ideas:
Martha’s 60 Days of Summer for kids
Wondertimes 12 activities for kids
Digital Reflections 100 free things to do with kids this summer
Feel free to add some of your favorite summer ideas in the comment section…
by AshleyAnn
show hide 24 comments
amanda torres - What is it about little girls and their strong opinions towards their clothes? I had no idea it started early on. Even on gymnastic days, Addison wants to wear a dress or skirt. I’m not even going to show her the hand me down leotards yet. She’ll want to wear them every day!
mandi@herbanhomestead - We’re out early too- beating the heat.
With my daughter I decided early on to let her wear whatever she wants. We homeschool so I suppose it doesn’t matter all that much. I just figured that she would have enough of clothes and making sure outfits go and all of that for her whole life. While she was young enough to make crazy outfits that she found to be beautiful- I wanted to embrace that! Now she’s 7 and her outfits aren’t nearly as crazy! I kind of miss it.
malea - Boy you have made me jealous! I’m in Australia & have just headed into winter…..wishing for summer already!
Natalie - Ah, to be a kid again! At least we get to relive that summer fun through our children now. My son is just a baby, but I can’t wait to watch him run through the sprinklers with popsicle juice running down his sweet face!
Jen - We have a nature park near us like that. You’ve inspired me to check it out with my boys. Thanks for linking to the summertime activities, I’ve been looking for some fun things to do!
Sarah - i’m so jealous sitting here at work reading this (shhh…don’t tell!) i would love to be out early doing fun outdoor things! i guess i just have to settle for the cooler evenings after dinner instead. luckily, the tiny heat wave in VA is over with less humidity today. we picked lavender last night; and are planning on planting some peppers tonight.
Beth@Just{Heart}It - I grew up in the mountains of Colorado, but we’ve been living just north of Dallas for 8 years now, so I understand the heat you speak of. I love summer, too, despite how hot it gets. I have a nine and a six year old boy, so my life is similar to yours (except I don’t do nearly as many craft things with mine! I admire you with that). When they get a little older (I dunno, maybe you could start now?) try taking them geocaching. I’ll bet there are some in that nature park. We just started doing it a couple months ago and it’s an activity we ALL love!
amy - THANK YOU for the links…I was googling all afternoon yesterday looking for info like these…THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!
The best ideas I found yesterday were having a “bike rodeo” in the driveawy xgames style and painting the kids with “war paint” and having tribal games…looking forward to more good ideas on these links!
Vicki - Love the pictures–and I love that your son brought his 4-foot snake along on the walk. Little boys crack me up! That picture of your son squirting water into Firecracker’s mouth is adorable!
Shawna Rae - As always, your pictures are adorable. Enjoy every minute – I miss this (my son is 30…lol can’t get him to wear a costume or play in the hose in the front yard anymore…LOL).
natalie - My sixteen month old got his first skinned knee ever on Memorial Day- daddy and I were so proud. We’re urban dwellers, so we don’t get outside all that much, looking forward to the next few months though!
natalie - also wondering if that’s the same turtle you all set free awhile back…he grew up quickly, but I bet he really wanted to pay you a visit!
cailan - that picture could not be more wonderful – her little face! And thank you for the great links!
stefanie - I love seeing your sweet pea, walking around on her own!
Emily - Time to head outside! Thanks for the inspiration
meg duerksen - hey… i know that girl at the top of your list!!!
cool.
thanks.
we used to hike place like that in IL…i miss it.
Andrea - I’ve been thinking that its been a while since we saw pictures of your Sycamore tree… it was such a beautiful blog header, do you still enjoy it?
Otro Víctor - You are a great family… and inspiration for everyone.
amy - thank you ashley – this was the inspiration i needed today.
love your blog and reading about your family. thank you for sharing
Lisa - Summers always packed with fun stuff to do….go to the park, nature walks, hiking(lots of it), blow bubbles, Fill a large container with water-throw in a couple of plastic sharks, frogs and sponges, make popsicles…..I could go on for a while. I’m a newer follower and love your blog. Lots of inspiration.
Lkids2.blogspot.com
Grace - I babysat some boys a few years back that were soo into dressing up & costumes. (& being without clothes too:)
Your first picture of that batman cape reminds me of those cuties and their little escapades
lisa - Thank you for the link ideas I am always looking for new things to do with my children!
sarah - Thanks for sharing my list of 100 things to do with your kids this summer. I hope everyone gets out and plays. I love your photos, so glad to come across your site as well.
TodaysMama | Blog | Friday Round Up - [...] this batch of photos doesn’t make you want to make the most out of summer, nothing [...]