Summer Bucket List #3: Holiday World

#3: Holiday World.

We broke our every other year tradition (2011, 2013, 2015), and decided to go back to Holiday World again this year. The kids are the perfect ages and we just all have such a great time. So this year, as we've done in the past, we spent Memorial Day at Holiday World. I've given several reviews of the park in the past, so I'll just post a few of the photos from our trip this year.

 

Summer Bucket List 2016: #2 Adventure Science Center

#2: Adventure Science Center.

Last summer we never made it to the Adventure Science Center, so we wasted no time checking it off of our list this year. On the kids first full day out of school, we spent about 5 hours exploring the Adventure Science Center with some friends.

Summer Bucket List 2016: #1 Summer Reading Program

It's summer time; my absolute favorite season! The kids had a half day of school on Wednesday and then we headed straight to Subway for a lunch "meeting" to discuss our summer plans. We had about thirty items on our list by the time lunch was over, and I think we've added a few more as the days have passed. I know I say it every year, but this really is going to be our best summer yet!

Finished: 1st, 3rd, and Fun School

Subway Summer Bucket List Meeting:

#1: Summer Reading Program. The first thing on our list this year was to join the Summer Reading Program at our local library. So as soon as our meeting was over we went to gather books at the library. Our goal is to read (or listen) 10 hours before the end of June.

E's Pancake, Pajama, and Donut Party!

For E's 6th Birthday she requested a Pajama Party.  Her guests came in their pajamas (of course) at 9am, and we celebrated by eating donuts and pancakes, making fruit loop necklaces, watching a short movie, and then playing some party games.

As guests arrived, we served donuts, pancakes, and cereal for a breakfast treat.

The donuts were a big hit!

After plenty of sugar, the kids made some fruit loop necklaces and then everyone headed to the living room and gathered around the TV to watch Peg + Cat's Pajama Problem episode (for 15 minutes).

When the movie was over, everyone headed upstairs to our "party room" for party games.

The first game we played was pin the bamboo on the panda bear.  E has become very fond of pandas lately, so we just incorporated pandas into her theme.

After that game, we formed a complete circle with the pillows and played a game of musical "pillows."

The kids that got "out" first, just moved over to the side and had their own little dance party:

Next up were relay races.

Pillow sack races:

Donut Races:

After several rounds of those, we passed out bags and markers and the kids decorated their own bags for the pinata candy.

And they all took turns at the pinata. The cupcake pinata was actually the pinata we used for E's Pinkalicious Party several years ago.  Previously, none of the kids were able to break it, but this year the kids were able to really crack it open.

When the pinata had been opened and all the candy distributed, the kids all went back downstairs to watch E open her presents.

It was probably one of my favorite parties to host and E agreed that it was the "most fun" too.

Happy Birthday to my E!

Summer Bucket List 2015 COMPLETE!

Well... it's time to say goodbye to all the adventures of the summer and hello to a new school year. O is starting a part-time preschool, E is starting 1st grade, and L will be in 3rd grade. They sure have grown up quick. It seems like I was just writing O's birth story yesterday and now he's almost 4!

This summer was the best one yet and I can't believe we were able to do so much in just two months time. Here's our completed list, and if you click on an item, it should (if I did everything right) take you to the post for pictures.

Summer Bucket List:

#1 Participate in the Summer Reading Program at the Library

#2 Swim in the Indoor Pool at the Y

#3 Visit the Nashville Zoo

#4 Attend Playgroup

#5Learn to Play Clue

#6 Hear the Mwangaza Children's Choir

#7 Swim in my Aunt's Pool

#8 Swim in Grandma and Pop's Pool

#9 Wade in a Creek

#10 Slip and Slide on a Slip N' Slide

#11 Visit a Splash Pad

#12 Swim in a Friend's Pool

#13 Skate at the Brentwood Skate Center

#14 Vacation Bible School at Harpeth Heights

#15 Go to Holiday World

#16 Summer Celebration

#17 Watch a Parade

#18 Vacation Bible School at Woodmont Hills

#19-26 Florida

#27 Visit a Farm

#28 Splash Camp at the Y

#29 Spend a Day on a Lake

#30 Eat lots of Watermelon

#31 Water Play at the Y

#32 Visit 8 Playgrounds

#33 Water Play with Friends

Summer Bucket List 2015: Water Play

#33 Water Play with Friends