[pinit]
For Mother’s Day, Kedron gave me the best gift. He took care of all three meals: planning, prep, execution, and cleanup. A whole day off from food, other than eating! Woot!
Part of his plan included a picnic lunch at a nearby park after church. He packed everything so we could go straight from church to our picnic lunch and make the most of one of our first 80 degree days of the season.
After the picnic, the kids waded into the nearby stream to attempt to catch frogs. I watched as they waded up to their ankles in mud and slipped into water up to their thighs.
That’s when I realized, summer is almost here, and it’s time to load the car with my ten things for better adventures.
Enjoy this re-post from last summer!
Confession: I’m a type-A planner who lives by lists and who struggles with spontaneity. Shocking. I know.
I married a non-planner who loves spontaneity. You know the kind. They throw everything into a suitcase the night before a trip, possibly even the morning of and never even make a checklist. *Gasp.* Meanwhile, I’ve made checklists of my checklists. Ahem.
This made for an interesting few years early in our marriage. Over the past sixteen years, we’ve found a balance between planning and leaving room for spontaneity. In the process, I’ve learned that the best memories and stories are often the ones that are unplanned.
Summer is the season where I’ve learned to kick back and let go of plans. Sort of.
Ok, not entirely. In reality, I found a way to “plan” for spontaneity. After a few unplanned outings that left us cold and wet and hungry, I discovered that if I kept a list of things in the car during the summer season, we could enjoy our spontaneity, make the adventure last longer, and not have it end on sour, grumpy notes.
Here are 10 things that I keep in my car for summer adventures, both planned and unplanned.
1. Sweatshirts
In Michigan, temperatures can drop significantly once the sun goes over the horizon. With sweatshirts on hand, our adventures don’t have to end just because the sun went to bed.
2. Change of clothes
I thought once everyone was out of diapers I wouldn’t need to carry extra clothes. Wrong. I’m terribly accident prone, and I’ve passed those genes along. Go to a cookout and get marshmallow all over your shirt? No need to attract ants all night long! Or if you decide to make an impromptu stop at the beach and your boy decides to swim in his clothes….it could happen….
3. Picnic Supplies
I keep a bag with a plastic tablecloth I found in the camping aisle, plasticware, napkins, and paper plates in the trunk. Decide to grab sandwiches and stay out a little longer than intended? Turn it into an impromptu picnic without worrying about getting bird poop on your bread. Just saying.
4. Sunscreen
We do see the sun now and then in Michigan. You never know when that will happen, so I carry sunscreen just in case.
5. Bug Spray
The mosquitoes have been awful this year. Nothing like stopping to watch impromptu fireworks by the roadside and getting carried away by bugs.
6. Snacks
There is nothing worse than driving home from a fun activity and finding yourself in the middle of no where listening to the tune of “I’m hungry!! Now….Huuuuunnnngggrrry!” Who else has used the line “I don’t have a magic pantry in the car!!” Just me?
7. Umbrella.
When it rains, it pours. Sorry. Couldn’t resist. Nothing so miserable as rain on your parade. Ok. I’ll stop.
8. A sheet or stadium blanket
I keep both in the car. A sheet is perfect for unexpected stops at the beach. The blanket is great for roadside fireworks displays after the sun has gone down.
9. Car activities
I keep a couple notebooks and a box of pens, pencils, and markers in the car. Because too many movies and video games rot your brain. Or so my mom always said. I’m keeping creativity alive!
10. A frisbee
Just for fun. Great exercise at a rest stop in the midst of a long road trip too. Just don’t toss it onto the highway. Or near a dog.
Bonus: First Aid Kit
This one isn’t just for summer, although we tend to use it more on our summer adventures. I always keep one in my glove compartment. Summer is a good time to check and re-stock it!
Anything you’d add to the list? Do you stock your car with things for adventures?
I could do so much better with this… thanks for the reminder. How many times have we went to the beach, with cold water thinking it’s too cold, to only have the kids jump in anyway with nothing to change into! Lots!
Lisa, it was events just like you described that caused me to pack my car in preparation!! Oh Michigan 😉
Amelia- this was great. You would have made an amazing elementary teacher. When we went on field trips, I felt like I brought everything but the kitchen sink! Just I case! But you’re an amazing writer, author, speaker and mom. Keep up your spontaneous planning. Fun! (btw…do you have any room left for groceries when you get them?)
Myrna, thank you so much. You’re so kind! I do have to find a bit of space for the groceries… 😉
I have one thing to add: hand sanitizer! I usually don’t mind dirt, but because little ones often lick their fingers as much as their spoons, it’s a good way to take the mommy stress out of a picnic nowhere close to a sink.
Yes! Hand sanitizer! I try to have that and or wipes too!
I’m going to go grab my frisbee right now! Hand sanitizer is a good choice as well 🙂
Yay!!