Your Pre-Summer Checklist

Playoff games, class parties, and projects mean that May is upon us, and before we know it, summer will be here. It's crunch time: we need to get ready for the kids to be home
all.
summer.
long.

At my house, that means anything productive gets put on hold and I can plan on being interrupted from any task about a million times. Anything I can do without two boys in tow has to get done in the next two weeks. I officially share...

The Pre-summer Checklist

Finish scheduling summer plans

• Summer Camps
  I started thinking about camps after spring break, but only booked one. I'm sure you're probably on the ball, and you've already got your kids' summer camps lined up (especially if you work and it's mandatory). If you're more like me and wait 'til the last minute, now's the time to get clicking. On websites, that is.
• Travel
  
  
  We have our family vacation planned, but I like to sprinkle in a couple of weekend trips as well. I'm hoping to go scalloping again this year and hopefully it's not too late to book a place. Seriously, places book up so fast! If you need to plan a trip, do it now. Uninterrupted time is so valuable.
• Playdates
  I always like to figure out when friends are going to be in town to schedule sleepovers, playdates, and day trips. I also make a list of activities to do over the summer when it's time to get out of the house. So far on the list: indoor rock climbing, bowling, and a service project. Guess I need to work on that list a little more.

Go shopping
I personally find shopping with two boys very unproductive. They hide in clothing racks, wander like chickens, and want me to purchase anything that catches their eye. ...And then I must go into the Needs vs. Wants speech, while becoming The Meanest Mom Ever. So get your shopping done now, including:

• Clothing - see "hiding in clothing racks," above. Get yourself your summer duds (shorts, sundresses, t-shirts) and pick up some new bathing suits and play clothes for the kids.

• Groceries
  I'm talking bulk shopping at Target or Sam's Club...stock up on toilet paper, paper towels, snacks, cereal, cleaning supplies, etc. Get everything (as if you were stocking up for a hurricane).
• Liquor
  I always feel like a "bad parent" when I have to bring my kids to the liquor store. Stock up on wine and your favorite spirits (rum, anyone?) now.
• Gifts
  End of the  year gifts...teachers and grads. Order off Amazon, get gift cards, donate cash, whatever. Don't wait until the last week of school!

Schedule "Me Time"
Get your hair cut and colored, get waxed, polished, tweezed, see the dentist and whatever other maintenance you normally get done. Arranging childcare to get these services done hardly seems worth the effort. I may not last until Meet the Teacher, but I'll start out the summer looking polished (somewhat).

Finish up your projects 
We all have something we're in the middle of. I'm hoping to paint my kitchen ceiling and finish cleaning out my old bedroom in my parent's house. If you don't finish it now, it could be months before it gets completed. You can do it.

Get together with girlfriends

Schedules are all over the place and you may not get friend one-on-one time for weeks! Take yourselves out for lunch or a pool day without kids. I know, it's easy to push off to take care of all the other important errands, but you must do this for yourself. Because mental health and all.

Good luck, friends!

Related Post: Oh, $#@! School's Out

The Shorts You Need This Summer

Here in Florida, we practically live in shorts in the summer. What is the perfect amount of shorts to own in a warm climate? I've taken inventory of my closet and come up with a list to get you through summer.

Solid-colored shorts (3-5 pairs)
Have at least one of each of the following:

• Black or navy shorts (or both) - these are a staple to wear with solid or patterned tops.
• White shorts - they scream "summer" (or should I say, "SUMMER!") and match with almost anything.
• Colored shorts - pick your favorite color and get at least one pair. I love my turquoise, watermelon pink, and new, bright orange shorts.

Patterned shorts (1-2 pairs)
These are nice to have in your closet to add interest to your wardrobe. The more colors in the pattern, the more options you have to wear with it. I've been noticing some cute, multicolor floral patterns in the stores.

Denim shorts (1-2 pairs)
Have you noticed these are back in style? Thank goodness, because you can't beat the versatility of jean shorts. (Will we still call them "jorts" now that they're cool again?)

I just got a pair of the rolled-cuff denim shorts above and have worn them everywhere. They'll be perfect for hiking this summer and when we go camping. I could do a whole post on denim shorts!

Dressy shorts (1-2 pairs)
Every Florida girl needs a pair of nicer shorts to wear for either brunch, shopping, dinner out, or other "dressy casual" occasion.

Typically, dressy shorts are made with a rayon-like material or a more structured material, like starched cotton or linen. Match it with a cute flowy top or light knit and sandal heels and you're good to go!

Know what styles work for your body. I'm petite, so I tend to wear shorter lengths to balance my proportions and make my short little legs look longer. Tall women with long legs can get away with longer styles and the skinny minnies out there can rock the flowy shorts style.

What about rompers?

I think the all-in-one shorts outfits are so cute, but it takes a certain body type to wear them. Girls with hourglass figures and flat tummies look great in them. If you have this body type and a youthful appearance, you can probably pull off the romper. You lucky girl, you.

To recap...

So that's just a start, but if you have these, you'll be set for a warm summer and global warming. And I haven't even gotten started on exercise and beach shorts....

What shorts will you be adding to your wardrobe this summer? What are your favorite summer shorts? Comment below!

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