2017 Summer Bucket List Final Update + 2017 FALL BUCKET LIST!!

We managed to knock a bunch of additional items off of our Summer Bucket List since our last update. This was not a banner season in terms of bucket list accomplishments, but I think it definitely marked a turning point in the kids' growth—they are in dire need of free down time and quite capable of entertaining themselves. They'd wake up pumped for an activity but then just ask for time to putter about. That being said, fall is definitely one of their favorite seasons and they were all about creating a new fall list!

First up, here's how we finished up summer:

16. New science exhibit -- we loved the new to us exhibits at the California Academy of Sciences!

17. New historical site -- our report on Angel Island and Alcatraz are still on the way, but I'll note that we had an unexpected amazing trip to historical Angel Island.

18. Have a picnic -- we had a lovely picnic lunch on the top of a waterfall in Yosemite—post to come this week!

19. Find a new beach -- we found new beaches at both Angel Island and in Yosemite.

20. Workbooks -- the kids were total champs at working on reading, math, and writing over the summer and completed several workbooks each.

21. Rock climbing -- Yosemite!

22. Find a waterfall -- Again, Yosemite. Our bucket list thanks you.

23. Baseball game -- G O N A T S

24. Ride in a boat -- boat to both Angel Island and Alcatraz.

25. See sunrise -- we left really early for Cali and caught the sun coming up on our ride to the airport.

26. See sunset -- and then we saw the sun go down behind Golden Gate Bridge our first night there!

27. Watch a meteor shower -- not technically a meteor shower, but I'm counting the eclipse for this one. It was super cool.

28. + 29. Two new museums -- we went to several new museums this summer, but I'll count the DeYoung and San Fransisco MOMA (post also yet to come) for this.

30. New science project -- saltwater taffy slime!

31. + 32. Two service projects -- the kids both helped their grandfather deliver food with Meals on Wheels and Cami also chopped off 10+ inches of her hair for Locks of Love.

33., 34., and 35. -- three new NPS passport stamps in California at Muir Woods, Alcatraz, and Yosemite.

Now, on to the Fall Bucket List!

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The 2017 Summer Bucket List -- 85+ Ideas to Save Your Summer!!

Woohoo!!! Summer is here! Well, not technically, but our kids are out of school so I'm calling it. And around our house that means it's Summer Bucket List time. The kids took a heavy role in making the list this year and I loved seeing how their interests have changed since last summer (or not). We carried over a few of our favorites from past lists as well. And we had a fair number we didn't get to check off our Spring Bucket List, so those make a reappearance. All in all though, we are pretty psyched to get cracking!

p.s. need additional inspiration for your summer? Don't forget that Banish Boredom is chock full of fun ideas from science experiments to family field trips!

2017 Spring Bucket List: 50+ Ideas to Put a Spring in Your Step!

Happy Spring Equinox!!! Despite the fact that we finally had some snow dumped on D.C. last week, the sun is out, the birds are chirping, and I'm going with spring. Which means .... new bucket list! We've been brainstorming up ideas for our annual seasonal list and I'm pretty excited to get started on this one. There are some old standbys, but the kids also came up with some pretty specific fun ideas for spring too. Have at it!

p.s. we knocked 30 items off of our Winter Bucket List -- not too shabby!

Stargazing Playdate

We finally knocked one of our long running bucket list items off! The kids and I spent an afternoon reading a few books about constellations and making our own yummy versions. Head over to Honest to Nod to see all the fun!

2016 Spring Bucket List -- 60+ Ideas of Spring Fun!!

While technically the first day of spring happened a week and a half ago, I still haven't felt a real spring day yet. In fact, it was 36 degrees when we woke up this morning! But, now that we're on the other side of spring break, we needed to get our ducks in a row and get our Spring Bucket List up and running. So here it is!

p.s. for the record, we crossed 32 items off of our Winter Bucket List. We've got some work to do this spring!

2016 Winter Bucket List -- 60+ Ideas of Winter Fun!!

Despite not crossing everything off of our Fall Bucket List, the kids insisted on tackling a slightly larger set of cold weather activities this go around. Some we've rolled over from the fall, others we have no real shot at crossing off the list. But all were earnestly added by the kids in anticipation of the season. Bring it, winter.

Fall Bucket List Update!

Since the air in D.C. has finally dropped sufficiently low to warrant our winter gear and late tonight marks the Winter Solstice, we decided to call time on our Fall Bucket List and share what we accomplished this season. We ended up checking 30 activities off our list -- not too bad considering this fall was insanely busy with school and extracurricular activities! We're working hard on our winter aspirations and we'll have our Winter Bucket List up later this week, but, in the meantime, here's how the fall shook out!

1. felting -- we LOVED making felted rocks. I even went in and did the activity as a crafternoon in Cami's kindergarten class.

Healthy Pumpkin Pie Smoothie!

Our kids have been total snack monsters lately. From the moment I pick them up from school until dinner hits the table, they are asking for something to eat. And I try to use this opportunity to get them to eat healthy things they'd otherwise leave on their plate. When I spotted this low-sugar recipe, I knew it would fit the bill for our fall smoothie bucket list item. It's an easy recipe that kids can help with and a great snack option!

2015 Fall Bucket List -- 50+ Ideas of Fall Fun!

As I mentioned in our final summer bucket list update, we've all become a little obsessed with seasonal bucket lists. It's a great way to get creative together, and a wonderful go-to when we're looking for something to do. Plus, I always love a list for the mere act of getting to cross items off. So we sat down to brainstorm ideas for this fall -- a few items we rolled over from our summer list, but most are brand spankin' new. Fall officially starts September 23rd -- get ready, we're coming for ya.

2015 Final Summer Bucket List Update

Well, we didn't hit all 75+ items from this year's Summer Bucket List. I blame July. July was pretty pitiful in terms of crossing things off. But our August vacations helped put a good last dent in it. We came out at 55 activities for the season. Better than last year (46), not quite as good as the year before (60). In any event, our whole family is now a bit obsessed with the bucket list idea, so I'm thinking we might do one for every season (although, obviously not as prolific as the summer lists since school's in session). We'll see .... Here's how this summer ended up.

41. Stargazing -- we finally explored the Rock Creek Planetarium and joined one of the Wednesday Young Planetarium programs.

Project 52 - Week 2

This week has been a total blur. The kids seem to have been moving in warp speed. In opposite directions. Needless to say, it's been incredibly difficult to get them together in one photo. Thanks to the second delayed school day this week though, yesterday we had a little morning time to art in pajamas. The kids drew as they listened carefully to their favorite morning radio show because they got a little shout out yesterday -- more on that next Monday!

New Year's Bucket List!

I'm not much for New Year's resolutions, but if you know our family at all, you know we love to make bucket lists. We've generally restricted our bucket list creating to summer break, but I thought it would be fun to come up with a list of family activities and goals for the New Year and check in quarterly to see how we're doing. Some simple, some ridiculous (the kids added whatever they wanted), some elaborate. 52 good things to strive for in 2015. Here's our collective list -- Happy New Year, all!