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“A fallen leave is nothing more than a summer’s wave goodbye.”
Another summer is coming to an end. This weekend we celebrate the unofficial end of it as summer doesn’t officially end until September 20th.
It was a pretty good summer here at the Campaiola household. It was so hot and humid we got lots of time in the swimming pool. We invited neighbors and friends over countless hot days so they too could get a reprieve from the excessive heat and humidity that struck us these summer months. I suspect September will bring us some of those days too.
No matter where you live, when August turns to September the swimming pools close, the ice-cream trucks stop coming around, and the kids start waking up early each day to go to school. Some parents welcome fall and the cool weather, holiday excitement, and return to a predictable schedule it brings while others wish they could stretch the sweet, relaxing days of summer a little bit longer. Who wouldn’t want more frolicking in the ocean, boating at the lake, or swimming under the stars?
No matter how you feel, summer is ending and that can leave even us fall lovers feeling melancholy.
But here’s a few suggestions for how you can give summer the goodbye it deserves:
1. Have a BBQ with all your summer favorites
One of the best parts of summer is the wonderful selection of hot-weather treats to enjoy. Before you pack up the ice-cream maker and the grill, hold one last backyard BBQ to celebrate the changing seasons. Keep it small with just your family, or invite neighbors and friends and call it a party. Grill hamburgers and hot dogs, make ice cream or popsicles, break out the lawn games and leftover sparklers from the 4th of July, get your fill of the last of the watermelon and corn on the cob. Maybe you’ll even be lucky enough to put out the sprinkler or go for a dip in your pool one last time.
2. Head to the water park. We have a huge water park about a half hour away but the kids are still too little to partake, but if you’re kids are older, this would be a fun way to end the summer. Splish, splashing all day long!
3. Go to a drive-in movie. For our family to accomplish this we would have to drive quite a ways. But sometimes we long for the good old days and a trip to the drive-in is just what will cure us. Drive-ins do exist but you’ll have to do your homework to find one near where you live. Can’t find one close enough? Set up a movie night on the back lawn and pretend. It will still be super fun and a nice way to bid farewell to summer.
4. Have dinner at the park and watch the sunset. I love picnics. They are such fun for the whole family. Pack up all the goodies that will make it most memorable and head out to the park for a late dinner. Let your kids play as you take in the sunset. Push bedtime just a little bit later than usual to savor the end of the day and the season as you say goodbye to summer.
5. Go to an amusement park. If you’ve got one close by and you haven’t yet made it there this summer, pack up and head over for a ride on the roller coaster, merry go round, tilt-a-whirl, and Ferris wheel.
6. Eat an ice cream cone. There’s nothing better on a hot, sticky August night than the cold, refreshing feeling of sweet delicious ice cream on your tongue. Whether you have a sweet tooth or not, cold ice cream in the dog days of August can’t be beaten. Head to your favorite ice cream stand or pick up the family favorites at your local grocery store for this special treat.
7. Roast marshmallows/Make some s’mores. Every single Saturday night (weather permitting) we head to my neighbors for a good ole bonfire. At some point in the evening, their daughter busts out the marshmallows and roasts away. This past Saturday it was s’mores for everyone! Roasting marshmallows is a classic summer activity, right up there with catching fireflies and singing campfire songs. While the nights are still warm and summer’s still in full-swing, grab a bag of marshmallows, light up the fire pit and get roasting.
8. Play Mini Golf. Not my favorite activity but indicative of summer nonetheless. If you’re kids are into this game head out and on the way out stop for ice cream. There’s nothing here that say’s you can’t say goodbye in more than one way!
Of course, this list isn’t complete because it’s missing your favorite summer activity.
So many things to miss about summer. I know I’ll miss thunderstorms; and fresh produce; eating a tomato, basil, mozzarella sandwiches; playing in the pool with my grandson, Petey’s Summertime, and so many more things.
What will you miss most about summer and what will you do to give it the send off it deserves?
No matter what you decide to do this weekend to send off summer, I sure hope you’ll make a good one.
“flexoffers”
