Monday, May 25, 2009

Shaking in my flip-flops!

Life In The Car Pool Lane

Lately lot's of blom's (blogging mom's) posts are filled with "Hurray! Summer is here!" Am I the only one shaking with fear in my flip-flops? Surely there are other bloms out there worried about how to fill 90+ straight days with their very own kids.

Next week is the inaugural (sounds fancy, huh?) edition of Tuesday's Tips for Summer Survival (TTSS). It's a way for other scared shitless mamas concerned parents to share alcoholic mixed drink recipes kid-friendly tips so we can end up on the other side of this summer with what little sanity we had when we started. We are always encouraging our crazed monkeys little ones to share so isn't it a good idea that we lead by example.

Don't hoard that good idea all to yourself. Share it and know that you could be saving another mama's sanity!
It could be:
an outing
a craft
water play
cooking
a backyard activity
an idea for playdates
a kid's movie recommendation

There are no limits. If you've done it (or even just thought about doing it) with or for your kids, then pass on the activity, recipe, craft, etc.
A project big or small.
An activity quick or lengthy.
An idea for a younger or older kiddo.

Even if it's something local or specific to your area, it might spark an idea in another mom to look for a similar activity in her own city. Even if it's an old post that you want to link to, we don't care! We need all the inspiration we can get!

So long as your kids had fun (or will have fun) doing it, then share the idea. And I hope you'll post a picture...or two...or three.

Here is an example:

teeny tiny pool + slide that never gets used = good, clean summer fun

We have a tiny inflatable pool that my boys can barely both sit in let alone play in. Last summer I realized that if I lifted the rarely used slide of our jungle gym and slid the pool under it (before filling it with water) we had an instant splash (pun intended)!

This is what we did today and it was followed up with my ice cube tray smorgasbord lunch.

So grab my cute little button*(the code is over there on the left in the side column) and start thinking of what great idea you plan to share. I'll see you back here next Tuesday, June 2. Well, hopefully I'll see you before then since I will be writing other posts but you know what I mean...


You could save a mama...well, her sanity at least!

*Designed by the talented Jen over at Following the Footsteps

23 comments:

  1. You know Carey, I have to admit that when my kids were slightly younger (now 10, 8 and nearly 4) I DREADED summertime.

    Now, I have an email distribution list of friends and whenever anyone of us has a great idea, or even wants a trip to the playground we shoot out an email. Kids always have more fun with their friends!

    You can fly out here and we'll throw the kids outside and I'll make us a cocktail!

    You can bake a Key Lime Pie, which uses cream of Tartar!

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  2. LOL! I used to feel that way too! Now I'm ready for summer, so we're not driving all over town back and forth over the bridge {we live on the other side of the river...is that like the other side of the tracks?} Anyway, love the pictures,the lunch looks scrumptious and we've tried that pool idea, too! LOVE It!

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  3. I'll be giving this some serious thought and pulling out my old bags o'tricks. I've got a little bit of experience with this.

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  4. Sorry, but I'm not much help with a teen at home. He occupies himself, and he better pick up some more hours at work since he has BILLS. LOL!

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  5. Love the idea of a water slide!

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  6. That ice tray is adorable!

    I'm a little afraid of summer. Thank goodness we're going to a few places so that'll help.

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  7. I'm shaking in my boots that summer is going to be over before I know it and my middle boy is going to Kindergarten. I want to fill summer up the best I can so it's in the memory bank for when I'm sad later. (glad there is still one at home though). I can't wait to come back on Tuesday and see the great tips. FAB idea!

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  8. Super cute pics!! My kids are older so they sleep until 11 am in the summer. I know, I am Spoiled!!

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  9. I grabbed your button! We do the thing with the slide & the pool at my moms house and the boys love it!

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  10. What a great idea with the ice cube tray. I just may go buy some for my daycare kiddos...I think they will love that.

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  11. If I supply the ice cube trays will you supply the alcoholic beverages?

    I'm not exactly looking forward to summer either.

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  12. Summer sports camps are starting for the girls the week after school gets out. What to do with Stunt Man? How bout I ship him to you? LOL

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  13. well I know somef from the old homeschool days....what do you think, does that count?

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  14. I freak out about summer, and so would you if you had seven kids at home.

    The best solution I've found is to have a blended family, so that you can send your otherwise full-time kids to stay with the deadbeat parent for a few weeks.

    Just kidding.

    Kind of.

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  15. Summer movie programs. Most local theater have one.

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  16. Great ideas, Carey! That lunch looks delicious. Who could resist that???
    I have something already going on on Tuesday over at my blog, but would love to participate. Mind if I post on Monday and link it up on Tuesday? :)

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  17. Very good meme, Carey!!! You are going to get tons of ideas!!!!!!!!

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  18. Looks like ya'll had lots of fun! I wish we could get wet in the pool. Today it was 69 degrees around here. What's up with that? Last time I checked it was almost June.

    Love the ice cube tray idea. I will be coming back to do your tuesday thing.

    Have a good one!

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  19. Oh my gosh! I love it! That slide pic is just too cute.

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  20. I still have yet to put your ice cube tray idea to use. I loved it the first time I saw it, but haven't gotten my crap together to make it happen. Soon...

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  21. check out my lists on the side of my blog... I have lots of crafts/family craft ideas... I have a Happy Unbirthday Party... bubble juice to make your own bubbles... create an obstacle course, treasure hunt... and when you do this include the neighbors or friends and their moms... being with friends makes everything more fun!

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Yeah! I love comments! Feel free to leave me one (or two or three).
But remember what your mama said..."If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all."
Thanks!