Welcome Summer! A Last Day of School Surprise Party

I count the days down to summer just like a kid. I’m so excited to hang out with my kids this summer! I enjoy being around my kids and know that the days are long but the years are short. I only have 209 Saturdays left with Aubree, 365 with Ava, 626 left with Josie, 730 left with Jack, 783 left with Asher, and 835 left with Augustin before they graduate. (Wondering how many you have left? Calculate how many Saturdays you have until your child graduates here.)

I plan on making the most of the summers with them.  I look forward to fishing, camping, 4-H, park hopping, slip n’ sliding, water balloon & squirt gun fights, popsicle eating, sprinkler jumping, chalk artisty, bubble blowing, underdogs, swinging, sliding, jumping, lazy days, boating, biking, hiking, lake swimming, ice cream eating, water park going, grilling, suburban rides, bottle calf feeding, garden eating, bonfires, s’more eating, outdoor movie watching, long days of summer.  

Last Day of School Surprise Party

We are kicking off our summer with a party!  I’m planning on welcoming my kids home on their last day of school with some fun outdoor activities.  

Sign + Instructions

A big sign on the garage stated: “WELCOME TO SUMMER!” with streamers hanging down. Most of my supplies came from the Dollar Tree. I made a finish line that had crepe paper across the back door and a sign that said, “2017-2018 School Year Finish Line!” with balloons all over the hallway floor. I also put instructions on the back door for what they were to do when they got home from school.

Silly String + Waterballoon Fight

The boys and I waited for them out the back door and covered them in silly string!  We all laughed and the girls screamed.  We had a water balloon fight with each other which was a blast! (It was also hard to keep the boys out of the balloons until the sisters got home!) Dollar General helped me out with an awesome slip n’ slide and a fun sprinkler!  

Slip n’ Slide

I set up a slip n’ slide on our hill and after our water fight we had races down the slip n’ slide.  (Tip: dish soap helps get the slip n’ slide nice and slippery!) The girls also had fun in some inflatable tubes and sticks.  Everyone was smiling and so happy. Laughter is amazing.

Chalk and Bubbles

I had chalk and bubbles set out for the littles. What kids doesn’t like bubbles?  I found some great bubbles at Walmart that smell like cotton candy! I also bought the biggest chalk box ever!  

Squirt Guns

Did you know there are squirt guns that hold dye?! I got them from Michael’s with a coupon. (I even might have picked myself up a shirt…I can’t miss out on these fun festivities!)

Snacks

Of course there will be snacks of popsicles, watermelon, and lemonade–the ultimate summer snacks!

This is just the beginning of our fun summer.

I’m going all out for summer because I enjoy spending time with my kids. I want them to see me as a fun mom and not just a mom who does their laundry. I look forward to all our adventures this summer, whether it be trying out the new ice cream shop on Main Street or just lounging on the couch watching an old classic movie, like Bring it On, Clueless, or An American Tail.  Hopefully we’ll get to take a cruise around the countryside on some rainy afternoon, chasing rainbows.

I can’t wait to see where this summer takes us. Anything is possible. I will live in the moment with them. I will be present, enjoying the laughter and the loudness they bring, because I know far too soon the walls of this house will echo with emptiness.

Happy Summer, my sweet babes! I love you, for ever and for always.