Summer Vacay: Kid’s Edition

Two years ago my sister in law, & I, sat on the dock of our lake house talking about how fast time was going with the kids. Her boys were in high school, and my oldest was finishing up 5th grade and getting ready to start middle school. I’ve always loved having a sister in law who is just a season ahead of us. She is full of wisdom & offers really sound advice. On this particular day she told me that one of the most favorite things she ever did with her boys was to take them each on a quick little one on one getaway. Each boy got to pick where they wanted to go & the things they wanted to do. She said it’s some of her favorite memories.

Emma was all set to attend softball camp at Texas A&M that summer for a week. A month prior to camp we got an email stating that it had been canceled, so taking my sister in laws advice, Emma & I booked a quick trip to NYC, for our first annual mother daughter vacation. We walked miles & miles, saw all the things, ate all the things. She really wanted to go to a Yankees game, so I made sure we did that. We laughed & shopped. We had the best times & made some of the best memories. And man oh man, looking back at these pictures, it seems like a lifetime ago. She now has braces & towers over me. I’m so thankful we took the trip.

Last summer, we were unable to plan a trip together due to my mother in law being sick, but this year we are planning away for both her & I to get away, but also for Brady & I to be able to his first trip because he will be starting middle school next year. Emma is thinking somewhere in North Carolina & Brady wants the mountains of Idaho to go fishing, hiking & horseback riding. I am so excited about picking this tradition back up in hopes that we continue it for a really long time.

If you are able, I highly recommend planning a trip one on one with your kids. It doesn’t have to be anywhere crazy or for a long period of time. It could even take place in a larger city near you or even a staycation in your own city. We are shoot for 3 to 4 days. The place & the amount of time doesn’t really matter. It’s all about getting away from it all with your kids, enjoying them, trying new things, and having some fun.

You’ll never get these days back, friends, so make the memories while you can.