Annabel’s last day of school is today, which means I am soon going to have an energetic girl on my hands every single day. I enrolled her in a few classes and activities, but I tried to make sure there was plenty of open time for unstructured play and fun. The other day I said to Annabel, “What’s on your summer bucket list?” And she was like, “What’s in my bucket what?” After I explained the concept to her, she told me a bunch of things she wanted to do. “Let’s put these in our bucket, Mom!” Her cute interpretation of bucket list gave me an easy idea.
Plastic beach bucket
Paper
Scissors
Paint pen/sharpie
Pen/pencil
First, I wrote “Summer Bucket List” on the outside of a plastic beach pail.
Next, I cut paper into small squares and Annabel and I wrote out all the things we wanted to do this summer. I made sure they were mostly things we could do with little notice that didn’t cost much.
In addition to fun things like swimming, having play dates, and taking day trips, I also put in things like, “pick up litter,” “donate toys,” and “read a book.”
Then I folded everything up, and now when we’re in search of something to do, we’ll just pick something out of the bucket!
I can’t believe Annabel is done with pre-k today! AAAAH! Welcome, summer!
Daisy - émoi émoi says:
Lovely idea!
http://en.emoi-emoi.com/blog/
Karen Kelly says:
I did this a few years with my daughter but we had two bucket lists. One for things that we could do during the week – swim, park, visit the mall and the other was for weekends since we really could not go to baseball games or do long trips during the week. Also, we only put enough in the weekend bucket for the number of weekends we had and then would pick out a slip on Wednesday so we could plan and talk about our weekend excursion.
Dianne says:
Great idea using two bucket lists for distinguishing between the easily-possible list items and the must-specifically-plan-for list items. And especially great that you considered the max number of weekend things possible.
ldoo says:
Perfect
Lanie says:
Love this idea! We have just been keeping a plain boring list but if it is ok with you we are going to borrow your much more fun idea!
May 22nd was the last day of school for our twins so welcome to summer! xo
Glenda says:
What a great idea! Fun, fun! Have a great summer Annie!
JustAMom says:
We did this too!!!
Oh and BTW – I went to get my hair cut the other day by a new stylist. It’s been MONTHS since I had a cut and my hair was a mess. The woman asked me what style I wanted and I said I wasn’t sure…. she asked “well, is there anyone whose hair you admire? Anyone you look at and think “I want hair like hers”?”
The first person that came to mind was Annie!!! I didn’t say it out loud, though. Might be kinda weird to hear a 40 something woman say she envys the hair of a toddler!
Jeanie says:
Love your additions!
Lee Cockrum says:
Great idea… And your printing is so neat and pretty!!
Jordan says:
cute idea! But real reason for commenting: is that a doll from Inside Out in the 4th picture down? I am SOOO EXCITED for that movie! I read your brother’s review of it at Cannes and got even more excited.
Heather says:
YES! Mike got her the doll. We are all SO excited to see it! We’re going the day it comes out!
Jordan says:
Just saw this! (i’ve been out of town for 10 days for a class). I haven’t been this excited about a pixar movie in AGES! I was a super emotional kid in a non-emotional family, so feelings and expressing emotion have always been a hot button issue for me. (thank god for therapy! ). I hope to go see it as soon as it comes out!