you don't have to go far for fun

There are so many good cities to explore in the midwest. I absolutely love Galena, IL. If you need nature, then I suggest Devil's Lake, WI. That is one of my other favorite places. They're both fun, peaceful, and have lots to do.

If you want big city fun, then you will not be without choices in the midwest. Chicago, Peoria, Quad Cities are just a few good choices for Illinois folks. Wisconsin has Madison, Milwaukee, Lake Geneva, and so much more. You just never know what you will find around each corner. You can find choices around every turn.

Milwaukee is one of my favorites! We recently took a boat tour around Lake Michigan, which is something I have never done. I grew up near those views and they are still wonderful to see. The art museum, children's museum, Summerfest, Harley Davidson museum, Miller brewery tour, and restaurants are just a few of the millions of choices for anyone to enjoy. It is a city of choices, for sure. 

We have seen concerts, ballets, comedians, and performers in Milwaukee. Gambling and the state fair are more options. And you have to catch a game at Miller Park! Yes, I said Miller Park. It will never be anything else for this girl! 

There are so many fun museums and options for kids, too. We love the children's museum and aquarium. The lake front is so much fun. The dining and hotel options are endless. I try to see as many places as I can. 

The world is a big place and there is so much to explore! I want to go everywhere, see everything, and squeeze it all in. I love nature, cities, adventure, tourism and all the things. However, if I want to stay close to home and have endless opportunities for fun, then Milwaukee it is! 

mixing and matching experiences...

There are many occasions we experience in a big group. There are also experiences that are better suited for smaller groups. It kind of depends on a personal preference. One year we had a sleepover with all the friend groups: cousins, camping, sports, school, and OH BOY. It went great, fortunately, but it very easily may not have. 

We like to hang out with friends and do things, but just like matching an outfit, you have to match the friend to the event. We found out last year one of my daughter's friends doesn't know how to swim, so she doesn't get invited to the pool with us. And rightfully so! They do tons of other things together to have fun! Those girls paint and make slime EVERY time they're together. And other kids? They hate slime, so we bake, shop or watch movies. It's just a simple matching game of fun. 

Today we decided at the very last minute to have some water fun. I gave a list of suggestions on who to invite and my kid flat out said, "No. I just want to invite E. She loves water and we have had so much fun this summer. Please don't invite anyone else. I want her all to myself." Uh, perfect!!! And guess what?

Those girls are having a blast, laughing and enjoying. Everyone helped with sunscreen and snacks. No one is fighting for attention. No one got the bad seat in the car or is being ignored. My kid is wise beyond her years! 

Yes, groups are fun. Big or small, having fun with friends is fun. But on the water is different. Now we have to think about safety and sun, too. My kid knows when she wants to go all out or just pay one friend attention for the day. And no one's feelings are hurt. No one is disregarded. She just sees them on separate days for separate events and spreads out the fun!

I love this. I really do. It spreads things around. Summer never gets stale. I can slowly take in the moments instead of getting anxious, doing head counts, and scolding my kid for ignoring others. I am not constantly cleaning up after large groups or preparing gobs of food for larger groups. 

Summer equals fun. Summer equals memories. Summer equals experiences. Summer equals laughter. And if you try to cram it all in, then sometimes you get overtired kids who are overstimulated and overwhelmed. No thank you 😀

when your kid can make her own plans

When your kid starts to make their own plans, EVERYTHING changes. I am no longer on hold, text-a-athon participating, and voice mail leaving. She just lets me know, I confirm, and then it goes on the calendar. This means time. And anyone grown woman knows that time is a valuable asset. Time is money. Time is key!

On the second week of summer, my kid went to a Wednesday afternoon "party". They grilled, played volleyball, baked a cake, hung out. I gutted the basement and cleaned every last cobweb, bagged garbage, bagged and delivered donations, and reorganized some stuff. It was wonderful. When I was finished, I drove to grab her and didn't even have to get out of the car.

Now let's not overlook camps. When she was younger, we would sit and discuss all the fun opportunities she had in this area. STEM camp was a hit 2 years in a row. Art camp and painting camp also scored big. We have never really done sports camps until this year. Free day camp was great when she was younger. All I needed was 8am-12pm to run errands or go to some trainings. 

Now she goes to camp at her gym. She will randomly pick a day and I drop her off with snacks and a smile from 10-3. This is also a great plan because it's just down the road. She comes home sweaty, sore, exhilarated from running, bouncing, jumping, and playing. BUT... last Friday, she went to camp and I went to get a pedicure. She acted like it was the end of the world! 🤣

I use my time wisely while she is gone. I try not to just clean or organize. I make simple plans, read, nap, swim, whatever. Now I know NOT to tell her what I did while she was gone, though. Who knew?? As sad as I get knowing my little baby face is growing up, every time we unlock a new chapter it goes great. And I must say, there is nothing better for my sanity than her coordinating her own social life!