I never really planned on continuing these bucket lists each season, but I’ve kind of enjoyed doing them. So I figure I’ll continue them until they are no longer fun for me to do. :)
Today marks the first official day of spring. Although you wouldn’t really know it with a temp in the 20s and a few inches of snow on the ground. Its crazy to think back to one year ago today when we were setting records with temps in the 80s! However, I am very thankful we are not following in last year’s footsteps with our weather patterns this year. Michigan agriculture (namely the fruit industry) took an immense negative hit due to the extra warm and early spring last year. Our own personal home orchard and fruit did, as well. So in that respect, I happily accept the snow that is on the ground… well sort of. :)
So anyway, here is what I hope we’ll have the opportunities for this spring… again, in absolutely no particular order (other than that of which it comes to mind).
1. Make a decision as to which school Carson will attend for Kindergarten and take care of all necessary paperwork.
2. Celebrate Easter with family and convey the true meaning to our kids. (We don’t do the Easter bunny at all, really.)
3. Celebrate birthdays with family and friends.
4. Go bowling together as a family.
5. Softball season starts at the beginning of May (through our church). Kevin will be playing, but the kids and I hope to make it to all (or most) of the games, too.
6. Visit a science center or museum together as a family.
7. Take family bike rides as weather allows.
8. Plan and plant a small vegetable garden. Encourage Carson to help.
9. Take a road trip.
10. Visit LegoLand Discovery Center in Schaumburg, IL.
11. Finish the kitchen floor and trim work.
12. Visit a local park that we have never been to before.
13. Spring cleaning – continue to clean out at least one cupboard, cabinet, or drawer per week (4 are done so far); continue to clean baseboards in one room per week (dining and living rooms are done so far); continue washing walls in one room per week (dining and living rooms done so far); clean large appliances inside and out; organize freezers; wash windows inside and out; wash curtains and blinds; and other tasks.
14. Shop at the farmers’ market once they start up in May.
15. Fly a kite.
16. Pursue photo business logo development and branding. Prepare to implement new website.
17. Feed the ducks at a local park.
18. Make a bird feeder with the kids.
19. Have a family game night once a month.
20. Plan Bristol’s 1st birthday party.
21. Play in the rain and/or mud puddles.
22. Visit the library for story time and/or other kids’ activities.
23. Build on Carson’s artistic abilities by encouraging even more art and craft projects. Take him shopping to the craft store for new ideas.
24. Have fun with sidewalk chalk outdoors. Play hopscotch.
25. Go on family hikes as often as weather and schedule permits.
26. Visit the baby chicks and ducklings at Tractor Supply Co.
27. Make garden stepping stones with the kids.
28. Go to Tulip Time in Holland.
29. Go to a butterfly exhibit (MSU Childrens Gardens or Fred Meijer Gardens or Dow).
30. FaceTime with friends and family from out of state.
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Winter Bucket List - How Did We Do?
Well, since winter officially ends this week, I figured I would post a quick update on how we did with our winter bucket list. We did pretty well and accomplished almost everything. It's been a busy, but fun winter!
1. Celebrate Christmas! Convey the true meaning to our kids (though we do Santa, as well... but with a very limited focus). Spend time with our families at our Christmas parties. Check! We had a lovely Christmas season and spent lots of time with all sides of our families.
2. Build a snowman. Check! We have made several. Some of them were even painted. :)
3. Go sledding. Check!
4. Teach Carson to ice skate and/or ski. Check... well sorta. We bought Carson some skis and spent quite a bit of time on them outside. I wouldn't call him an accomplished skier yet, but he's learning and doing better each time. :)
5. Drive around neighborhoods to admire all of the beautiful Christmas lights. Check! Many times over.
6. Meet up with family from the west side in the Lansing area. This did not end up working out, unfortunately... at least not with the kids. I did meet my SIL in Lansing for a conference called Among Friends, though.
7. Make snow angels in freshly fallen snow. Check! This was done every time it snowed... even when we just got a dusting, Carson wanted to go make snow angels. :)
8. Have a snowball fight. Check!
9. Build a snow fort. Check! We've made a few snow forts out of the snow plowed from the driveway.
10. Do some snow painting! Check! We painted snow red, green, and blue on a couple of different occasions. Sometimes we even painted the snowman.
11. Make Christmas ornaments. Check! We didn't do as many as I'd have liked, but we did do a couple.
12. Go to a snow/ice sculpture festival (Frankenmuth?). This did not happen. We thought about going up to Frankenmuth for their festival, but decided to just spend the day playing outside at home instead. We did go to the Detroit Boat Show, though... not quite a snow/ice sculpture festival, but it was still a lot of fun. :)
13. Pop some fresh popcorn, get the sleeping bags out, and have a family movie night/camp out in the living room. We did this, sort of. We didn't end up camping out in the living room because Carson didn't want to that night. But we did pop popcorn and watch a movie that Carson picked out (Lion King).
14. Attend at least one Calvin basketball game. Check!
15. Celebrate Carson's 5th birthday! Check! We had two parties, one with each side of the family.
16. Celebrate birthdays for Papa, Grandpa, Daddy, Grandma, and Nana. (As well as some cousins' birthdays, too.) Check! We went to dinner for Papa's bday, a basketball game for Grandpa's, had some cupcakes at home for Daddy, went to lunch after church for Grandma, and we'll do something for Nana this week (her birthday is Thursday). We've also been to a birthday party for Mackenzey and we're waiting to hear if anything is being planned for our niece and nephew's birthdays that are coming up in the next couple of weeks.
17. Take Carson to see a movie in the theater. We did not get to do this.
18. Attend a live show (Wharton Center family series?). Check! We went to the Shrine Circus on January 16th.
19. Install new kitchen floor. Check! Although it still needs the finishing touches, but the main floor is in. :)
20. Pursue photo business branding, new website, Valentine's Day mini sessions, etc. I'm pursuing it, but haven't made any substantive changes quite yet. Maybe soon. I am working with a friend who is a graphic artist to develop a logo to begin the branding process.
1. Celebrate Christmas! Convey the true meaning to our kids (though we do Santa, as well... but with a very limited focus). Spend time with our families at our Christmas parties. Check! We had a lovely Christmas season and spent lots of time with all sides of our families.
2. Build a snowman. Check! We have made several. Some of them were even painted. :)
4. Teach Carson to ice skate and/or ski. Check... well sorta. We bought Carson some skis and spent quite a bit of time on them outside. I wouldn't call him an accomplished skier yet, but he's learning and doing better each time. :)
5. Drive around neighborhoods to admire all of the beautiful Christmas lights. Check! Many times over.
6. Meet up with family from the west side in the Lansing area. This did not end up working out, unfortunately... at least not with the kids. I did meet my SIL in Lansing for a conference called Among Friends, though.
7. Make snow angels in freshly fallen snow. Check! This was done every time it snowed... even when we just got a dusting, Carson wanted to go make snow angels. :)
8. Have a snowball fight. Check!
9. Build a snow fort. Check! We've made a few snow forts out of the snow plowed from the driveway.
10. Do some snow painting! Check! We painted snow red, green, and blue on a couple of different occasions. Sometimes we even painted the snowman.
12. Go to a snow/ice sculpture festival (Frankenmuth?). This did not happen. We thought about going up to Frankenmuth for their festival, but decided to just spend the day playing outside at home instead. We did go to the Detroit Boat Show, though... not quite a snow/ice sculpture festival, but it was still a lot of fun. :)
14. Attend at least one Calvin basketball game. Check!
16. Celebrate birthdays for Papa, Grandpa, Daddy, Grandma, and Nana. (As well as some cousins' birthdays, too.) Check! We went to dinner for Papa's bday, a basketball game for Grandpa's, had some cupcakes at home for Daddy, went to lunch after church for Grandma, and we'll do something for Nana this week (her birthday is Thursday). We've also been to a birthday party for Mackenzey and we're waiting to hear if anything is being planned for our niece and nephew's birthdays that are coming up in the next couple of weeks.
17. Take Carson to see a movie in the theater. We did not get to do this.
18. Attend a live show (Wharton Center family series?). Check! We went to the Shrine Circus on January 16th.
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