Summer is exactly 88 days long, and in that time, there are a lot of things I want to do. I’ve always wanted to make a Summer bucket list; sometimes just writing down your goals make them much more achievable. With two kids, it can get stressful around here. But I want to make this a Summer of “yes,” of lots of fun activities, and lots of happiness, both for my girls, and for me and my husband.

A Summer bucket list can be anything you want it to be. It can be broad goals, or really specific activities you want to do with your kids. I decided June was the best time to start planning for a memorable Summer, so here are the top 7 items on my list.

My Summer Bucket List for 2016:

1. Get back into shape. Getting into shape after having a baby is no easy task, at least not for me. I have to work really, really hard at it. The first 20ish pounds came off quickly due to breastfeeding and a number of other things, but because I’m still breastfeeding, I’m holding on to those last 5ish pounds. They’re always the hardest to lost! So now that Naomi’s in camp and I have a little more time for myself, I plan on hitting the gym – specifically spin and barre classes – a few times a week. I just feel better when I’m working out. I have more energy and I’m more me. I’m definitely going to go easy on myself though, since I don’t want to ruin my supply and because it’s really no big deal. I just had a baby. Going to give myself some grace.
2. More one on one time with Naomi. Now that our second daughter it here, I find that it’s harder and harder to spend one on one time with Naomi. She is much better behaved and much happier when she’s getting personal attention, so I’m going to make it a point to have fun dates with her throughout the Summer. I want to take her on ice cream dates, lots of park dates, arts and crafts dates, and much more. Even a trip, just the two of us, to Whole Foods is fun for both of us.
3. Get organized. You guys, my house is a DISASTER. I have stuff eeeeverywhere. And nothing has its own rightful place. My pantry is scary. I really need to get better at putting things in a place, and I really don’t know why that’s so hard for me, but it is. I’d love your tips on getting organized, if you have any!
4. Spend more time with friends and with friends’ kids. It’s easy to get bogged down with schedules and activities and forget to make plans with people. I love going to early dinners with friends and their kids, or having people over for brunch on the weekends. I want to do more of that; it’s easy to do, and doesn’t require finding a babysitter!
5. Pick strawberries and blueberries. There are several places near Houston where you can go to pick fruit, do hay rides and run around all day. We haven’t done that with our kids yet, but it seems like so much fun. I plan to take them there once we get into the routine of Summer and things calm down a little bit.
6. Spend more time at the beach. We have a home in Galveston (see my Memorial Day recap for what it’s like there!) and we’re near the water. We’ve been a couple of times this Summer already, and Naomi LOVES it. I mean, looooooves it. She isn’t afraid of anything. She loves the wakes, loves the sand, loves to run around. It’s so much fun to watch, and the look on her face is priceless.
7. Get back to work! It may seem from Instagram that I’m fully back to work, but I’m not. This Summer, I will be for sure, as things get crazy busy with events and the new collection launching. There are SO many fun things coming up!

This Saturday from 12-3 pm, cuteheads will be popping up at Madewell in Highland Village! If you’re in the Houston area, come visit me and be the first to shop the new collection. In July, we’ve also got the Mamas + Makers Market, the first curated market just for the best small businesses Houston has to offer. I’m so excited to be planning this with Beth DeLozier from Manor. She’s so creative and hilarious… working with her isn’t work at all. Here are all the details and applications to be a vendor or a sponsor! If you’re interested in becoming a vendor or a sponsor, we’d love to have you.

Hope you have a great week ahead! What’s on YOUR summer bucket list 2016?