Every summer we make a list of things we want to do with the kids. I like to think of it in terms of activities I want to take photos of…it makes it easier for me to come up with ideas. And this summer I completely flaked and forgot to share my list. We did already start DOING the stuff…but only have about a month or so left before school starts again so yeah…gotta get on this PRONTO to get it all done.
Admittedly we did a lot when we visited Jekyll Island – you can read the recap here and here….but we still have a lot to do….and the thing that scares me the most is tie dye shirts….I have no idea why 🙂
I get asked a lot about kid photography and here is a great post about how to capture some things that are always on the move and always need to be in those photo books! aka your children 🙂
And even if you just use your iPhone, that is just fine too…just make sure to get a variety of shots so that you can put them in your photo books to remember how much fun you had this summer.
And remember to get in those shots moms! It’s easy to forget or to feel self conscious about not looking like a perfect specimen of human but you will never look like this again….your kids will want to remember you as part of their adventure!
And lastly – I need to know what is on your list this year? What is the activity that scares you the most? Backyard camping was up there….until I realized that I would be sleeping inside and Jeremy could totally handle it 🙂
Tie Dye – we did it for the first time this past Memorial Day, and it’s SO easy. Head to Walmart and buy a kit. It’s like, $14, comes in a plastic reusable container, and has a table cloth, gloves, rubber bands, plastic bag (for final project) and the dye is already in the containers (which all you do is add water). Easiest.Project.Ever. It’s messy, so do it on a picnic table in a public park, that has trash cans nearby. So.Easy.
Thank you so much Athena! I need all those recommendations!
xo – kb
Those are fun
I love that you have paint fight on there.
That one makes me giggle in terror for you and the paint you’ll find in weird places.
God Bless ya!
I love the idea of a summer bucket list. I have a before baby 2 bucket list (both a work and play list!) I want to soak up all the mama of one things before i forget what this is like (that sounds more sad than I intended it but in some ways it’s oddly emotional)
Tie dye is relatively easy if you plan ahead. I’ve done it with classrooms of elementary kids. I’d order a tie dye kit from Dharma Trading company. The Tulip ones from Hobby Lobby and WM just don’t dye shirts with staying power. Also, make sure your shirts are sewn with cotton thread or the thread will stay white. Dharma has a good selection of inexpensive shirts. I’d get some underbed-type plastic bins and put a little rack in it for the dye to drop through so your colors don’t muddy and you won’t have dye everywhere. Kids can be heavy handed with dye bottles. Trust me on this. After dyeing, wrap in plastic for 24 hours. Hose the shirts off outside while they are still folded until the water runs clear. Then open and hose again. Then wash in hot water. Also, gloves are a good idea because that dye is not coming off for awhile. Google some tying techniques and you’re good to go. I’ve literally done thousands of shirts and the best part is when the kids open them and see the pattern. Have your camera ready for that. It’s a priceless face!
Yeah…I hear that about the dye…I think that is the part that makes me most nervous just because my kids are so little. But one of these days I’ll feel extra courageous. You don’t wanna come over and help, do you? 🙂
xo – kb
I have three boys, who are sadly not little like yours anymore! Tie dye was one of their favorite activities. I grew up in SC but live in MO now. Seems like kind of a far trip just for tie dye! 😉
Watermelon seed spitting distance contest. Good for Will’s age group and grownups. Kind of gross but boys love it.
Bummer 🙂
xo – kb
We just made concrete/stained-glass stepping stones yesterday… Pretty, personalized and fun!