Summer To-Do List: 2025

Happy Last Day of School (for us, at least)!

Since I loved our Summer To-Do List lessons from last year, we’re doing it again. Each summer as our kids get older, they become more and more capable. I also feel more and more determined as a parent to stretch their comfort zones. Both Mary and I have something new up our sleeves for our kids this summer.

Mary’s List

Pool Daze, part deux

I can’t tell you how excited we are for our swim/tennis club to finally be open. After a challenging school year of fighting to keep our beloved elementary school intact, the school board ultimately voted to close it. The new redistricting lines will have many of my son’s friends heading to different schools next year. It’s a tough pill to swallow; but despite the changes, the pool remains our constant and we plan on making the most of it.

With the pool as our community gathering place, we’re soaking up time with our neighborhood friends; creating weekly playdates and club hangouts to make the most of the summer before we head off in new directions. While our friendships will continue, the daily school interactions will shift and that change will take some getting used to. Goal: Model that friendships transition as we get older and we find new ways to keep our friends close.

Summer in NY

We often visit upstate New York during Christmas, but I can’t remember the last time I experienced it in the summer. With the kids growing up, my in-laws coming down to us this past holiday, and several family birthdays happening in the warmer months, it felt like the perfect time for a summer road trip getaway.

So far, our plans include visiting a few state parks, crossing into Canada, and checking out the upstate sites that are usually closed in the winter. Goal: It’s not the destination, it’s the journey.

Summer Camps

This summer, my son will be spending a few weeks at day camp with his friends. Each week offers a unique theme, giving him the chance to dive deeper into his favorite topics (like nature and space) or explore new things like sports and cooking.

Meanwhile, I’m looking forward to spending quality time with my girls, just as I did when my son was their age. That means plenty of outings to nature centers, playgrounds, splash pads, and playdates with their friends. Goal: Making time for everyone, and everyone having their own time.

Side Quests

Seasonal deep cleaning and reorganization of the house.
Reducing the summer slide with at-home activities.
Catch up on my TBR pile that’s currently staring at me.

Patti’s List

Road Trip, Part 2

Last year’s East Coast road trip was one of the most fun things we’ve done as a family. This year, we’re taking it to the West Coast. The girls are excited because they haven’t been on a plane in a while. I am excited because we’re hitting four National Parks and I have a new camera. In planning this trip, they’ve also surprised us with some of their input. We’ve been watching travel videos on Tik Tok and they’ve asked for stargazing, bat caves, and an internet-famous doughnut shop. Goal: Taking things off the screen and into real life.

Up the Mountain

As a follow up, this road trip is obviously going to include a lot of hiking. While I’ve picked hikes that are in the 1-4 mile range max, I do not plan on carrying ANYTHING that isn’t mine; not on the plane, not on this mountain, and not the souvenir you said you just had to have. I’m not holding your water bottle, or your hoodie if it gets too hot. If you have a snack, hold your own trash. You are old enough, strong enough, and personally responsible enough. Goal: Carry your own sh*t.

#StrongGirls

Now that A&Z have entered a new age bracket for summer camp, their options have really opened up. I shared earlier that this will be the first summer that they will be in separate day camps on certain weeks. These camps will also be with kids a year or two older as well. I saw during a tennis lesson yesterday that Aeris (for the first time) wasn’t the “best” in her group and she got a bit introspective about it. Consequently, she was more focused and didn’t have time to chat and be silly, like she normally would. I’m seeing both them really sort through their environments and really rise to the occasion. Goal: Present a realistic challenge.

Hit the Books

I don’t want to fall in the Tiger Mom category, just to be clear. End of the school year also means we receive their last set of testing results. While Troy and I are cool with their progress, they both seemed a little disappointed. I think A has a bit of a perfectionist drive, while Z equates grades to how much a teacher likes you. So if they are steering this Summer Slide boat, I’m more than happy to support. Z is continuing tutoring through mid-July, while A wants to build vocabulary and work on her accelerated math. Goal: Gain academic confidence and put in the work.

Side Quests