summer manifesto 2018

Happy summer! It's been more than a year that I've shared anything here. I didn't mean to take such a long break. And rather than bore you with all the details or reasons as to why I haven't shared anything, I figured I would just jump right back in.

I created a summer manifesto for this year. And to be honest, I pulled up the document from last year, tweaked it a little for this year (I changed "2017" to "2018," for one), and called it good. What some call plagiarism, I call inspiration. ;)

Anyway, for my seasonal manifestos, I like to include a variety of fun, simple activities that celebrate the upcoming season. I refer to it when I want to do something fun on the weekend- alone or with my family. I also have a summer project that I do with my girls every year. This is our 6th year doing this; during their summer break from school, we aim to do one, fun activity every day. I didn't share anything here last year because I took an unintentionally long, blog break. 

READ: My Girls' Summer Break: 2016 / 2015 / 2014 / 2013

The activities in my manifesto are usually pretty simple. "Go the the library" is a favorite. My love for the library is real. Going to the library in the summer is especially rewarding because our library has a weekly, kids' and adults' summer reading program. It makes me very happy that my daughters enjoy going to the library and reading as much as I do. The manifesto activities can also be more elaborate. For example, one year we stayed at the colorful Saguaro Hotel in Palm Springs for a few days.

If you need more inspiration, take a look at some of my favorite summer bucket lists / ideas out there:
Shutterbean's Summer Bucket List 2018; The Frugal Girl's 2018 Summer Bucket List; Wellness Mama's 2018 Summer Bucket List: Fun and Frugal Summer Activities.

(Click to enlarge... the list is also below!)

This summer I plan to:

• Go to the library every week.
• Make s'mores.
• Read at least 15 minutes every day. 
• Go to the beach.
• Watch a movie outdoors.
• Go to our local museum.
• Read at the beach.
• Go stargazing.
• Eat watermelon.
• Go on a moonlit hike.
• Go to the drive-in.
• Pain our nails in vibrant colors.
• Set up a breakfast, yogurt bar.
• Color.
• Go hiking.
• Print pictures for a summer, memory book.
• Go night swimming.
• Drink smoothies.
• Work on a pretty backyard.
• Play board games.
• Watch a movie at the park.
• Attend a fireworks show.
• Play double dutch.

I've already crossed several things off (summer started last month, after all). What are you doing this summer? :)