Beach and water fun for summer is the theme this week . This brings back memories of “the ole swimming hole” on the farm where I grew up.  Two brooks joined in the pasture and made a pool deep enough for Mother to teach us four children to swim.  There we cooled off after a day in the hay fields or working in the garden.

Image: sxc.hu

On family vacations, we often visited my aunt and uncle and spent a day or two at York Beach, Maine…my aunt’s favorite beach.  We had a taste of swimming in salt water and looked forward to this experience each summer.

I have photos to accompany these memories and should incorporate them with the stories in a journal, a scrapbook, or a digital scrapbook.

What memories do you have of beach and water fun?  What memories are you making with your children?

Write these down, combine them with photos, create scrapbooking pages.

The Fourth of July is our theme for this week, in our summer series of activities for my posts under the Blisstree Parenting section. 

July 4th - Image: sxc.hu

What are you doing for this holiday weekend, which in our tourist area of New Hampshire, constitutes the beginning of the summer season?

What family memories are you creating?

How are you recording these memories for your family history? 

• Scrapbooking,
• Making photo CDs
• Journaling,
• Taking videos
• Developing special traditions
• Incorporating family members of all ages into these activities

Share with us your Fourth of July traditions!

Now that school is out, you’re wondering what to do to keep the youngsters busy and to make summer special.  Many families may find that distant trips are not affordable this year.  So look around your home and local area for the many opportunities available. 

Image: sxc.hu

 We often don’t realize what’s out there.  Until I wrote travel articles for a regional magazine and was given assignments to visit local attractions and report on summer activities, I had only a vague idea what my community and nearby areas had to offer.

 So check out what’s going on in your town, county and state.  Much of this even might be free of charge.

•  Summer library programs
• Community concerts on the common
• Fairs
• Craft shows
• Hiking and nature trails
• Nature centers
• Historical sites
• Beaches
• Local parks and recreation programs
• Community theatre

 What have you found in your community for family enjoyment?

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 The Dog Days of Summer….this was an expression of my childhood during the lazy, hazy days of languid, humid heat and still seems to be a saying or description of this time of year from about July 3 to August 11.

The term seems to go way back to mythology  and the conjunction of Sirius (called the “dog star”) and the sun, which occurs in mid summer.  Also, some people connect Dog Days with a hot time of year when dogs can become irritable.  

So “Dog Days of Summer” is the theme this week here at One Book Two Book and Camp Weary Parent.

For more information about Dog Days:

Dog Days of Summer

Dog Days

The Dog Days of Summer

(Amazon image)

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen