Summer Bucket List

Every year I say we're going to make a bucket list.  We never do.  This year I saw some cute ideas using an acutal bucket and clothespins and thought that would be fun.  I decided to make one for us and one for a gift.  I picked up two galvanized metal buckets at the Target Dollar Spot (I know it's called Spot's Playground now but it will always be the Dollar Spot to me).  From Michael's I grabbed a sheet of summer themed stickers, some brightly colored clothespins, and labels.

For our bucket I used some clothespins and labels I already had (from a previous season's Dollar Spot shop) and saved the other clothespins for the gift version.

I put together the second bucket as a gift for a friend's birthday.  I purchased a few things to go inside the bucket to round it out.  I included bug spray, sunblock, glow bracelets, and sparklers.  I labeled a few of the clothespins, but left the majority blank so that they could personalize their bucket list.  I included a Sharpie and extra clips.  I think it made a great gift for $10!

When I introduced our bucket list to the kids, we started by reading the book And Then Comes Summer by Tom Brenner.  I love everything about this book.  The illustrations are colorful and unique, and the text truly captures the sight, sounds, tastes, and feelings of summer.  We also read  Let It Shine by Maryann Cocca-Leffler.  This was a very simplified book but good for littler ones.  We asked the kids to each list three things that they wanted to do this summer.  And we pulled from a Summer Bucket List that Ava had created in school.  The five items listed on that list:  Waterpark, Playground, Fireworks...  and... wait for it... McDonalds and Disney!!  Disney is not on our bucket list for this year and honestly, McDonalds isn't one I had planned to put on.  But we have a lot of fun things to choose from this summer and can't wait to get started!  What is on your summer bucket list this year?