Summer is fast approaching. At first glance it seems so exciting – sunshine, spending time outside, visits to your favorite warm weather spots. But then you remember that it doesn’t take long to run out of things to do and the little ones are restless.

Maybe a plan for this special season will make the days enjoyable and memorable. June, July, and August – Resolve, Reflect, Revive...

Resolve – I resolve to see the little things that God puts in my day through my children. Jot this on a 3 x 5 card and put it on your bathroom mirror. Add a verse – Ecclesiastes 3:1 – There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven.

Choose four things you would like to accomplish this month and write them on slips of paper. Put them in envelopes. On Monday mornings open one and see what one of your goals is for that week. Let one of the children pick out the envelope – this helps them “own” Mommy’s plan. Encourage them to help or be patient while you accomplish this goal. Explain that they will have “goals” to work on as well.

Choose four fun activities for your children. Write them on slips of paper and place them in envelopes of a different color – or ask your children to decorate these envelopes. Open one each week – or if you are really full of energy – one each day.

Some suggestions:

• Gardening - Help your child pick out a vegetable plant to grow (pumpkins are lots of fun, lettuce grows quickly). Visit a local nursery, purchase one or two plants and help your child start their own garden. Talk about God’s creation during the whole process but keep it simple!
  
• Physical Fitness - Start an exercise program with your child. Plan it, talk about it, choose special attire just for your “exercise time”. Walk, skip, hop. Keep it short. Wear terrycloth sweatbands on your head. A few props make any activity more special. Even toddlers in a stroller recognize special times when Mommy uses “props”! Use stroller time as an intentional activity will help train you for when they are toddlers. Explain that God designed our bodies and that exercise helps keep them healthy.
  
• Backwards Day - Designate a “backwards day” for your children. Children love to see grown ups acting a little silly! Some of the more creative will make themselves crazy by the end of this activity. Start by going to bed in your clothes and getting up and changing into pajamas in the morning. Eat ice cream for breakfast, brush your teeth before you eat... and so on.
  
• Stuffed Animal and Doll Parties - Arrange for all your child’s favorite stuffed animals to come together for a special party. Plan a picnic on the grass with blankets, play food, etc.
  
• Keep a Picture Journal - Take pictures of special times, special moments! Set aside a time to scrapbook and note why each picture is special. Children love looking at family pictures and hearing the same stories over and over again. This discipline will remind you of your resolve to see the little things God puts in your days this month through your children.

Next month, I’ll share more fun ideas. Don’t forget, summer is a time to intentionally Resolve, Reflect and Revive!