Slowing Down For Summer

So summer is finally here

And it is time to think about taking a break

Before starting a new academic year

As home educators we do not really have terms and holidays

The year is less disjointed than that

And I try to see it

And plan it as a whole

But at the moment

It feels like we could all do with a break

Or a big change

Someone has suggested to me that we need to find a more sustainable rhythm

I think they are right

I have been thinking for a while

That we would slow down for summer

Try to be outside more

Go on more adventures

Get out to explore, discover and do

In reality it is easier said than done

For us to slow down for summer

As July and August are birthday months in our house

Esther and William will be 9

And Bea is turning 5

So incredible to believe!

We have parties planned

Celebrations and gatherings galore

The children are also attending lots of exciting workshops

But between all the high times

We are going to fit in some lows

Some slow times this summer

Here is a little list of the activities

We are planning to squeeze in

As we slow down for summer

SLOWING DOWN FOR SUMMER

Farm days with friends

Sailing club at Tonbridge

Family sailing at Bewl Water

Flower picking and pressing

Rolling down a really big hill

Paddling in a stream

Skimming stones

Flying our kite

Going on a bug hunt

Searching for rainbows

Fishing with a net

Running around in the rain

Going on a barefoot walk

Cooking breakfast on the fire

Taking our water colour paints to the beach at sunset

Taking our art materials to Leeds Castle

Breakfast at Bedgebury

Visiting The Goat Sanctuary

Sandwiches by the sea

Making art with things we find in the wild

A Lion King cinema trip

A Madagascar theatre trip

Visiting The Big Cat Sanctuary

Visiting Paradise Wildlife Park

Going to The Night Garden

Riding a carousel

Playing hide and seek at Bayham Abbey

Having a water fight

Seeing Ballet Shoes

Singing along with Joseph at The London Palladium

Watching the planes at Headcorn Airfield

Cloud gazing

Star gazing

Swimming in the sea

Having a picnic breakfast somewhere new

Visiting a new English Heritage site

Seeking a new National Trust garden to explore

Reading stories under the shade of an ancient tree

Making smoothies

Making ice lollies

Singing together

Writing poetry outside

Reading poetry outside

Playing stuck in the mud

Mary Poppins chalk drawings

Having a Sunday DIY Ice Cream Sundae (Sunday Sundae)

Blowing bubbles to Baby Tilda

Playing in the sprinkler

Picking strawberries

Bird watching

Maybe we are not slowing down for summer

Maybe we are not doing less

Just changing the way we do things

I am excited for summer

I want to battle my anxiety and win

I want to unplug and be present

And make magical memories

Snatch moments of awe and wonder

Amid the chaos of family life

And in that sense

We are

Slowing down for summer

… Breathe ….

This is a collaborative post

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