How To Create The Best Summer Vacation With Kids

18 Summer Is All We Get. The magnitude of these words mean so much more to me than when Peyton was born. You see...he is 14 now. If you are a Mom of a teenager you get it. If  you are a Mom with littles you may be counting down the summers but as they grow older you will get it too. If you are a Mom of grown adults I know you totally get it.

Here is Peyton at 3 months, 4 year Preschool graduation and 8th grade promotion.

When I was waiting on Peyton to come home from Guatemala I spent many a countless hour on the telephone with my friend Brandi. We talked about all of the traditions that we were going to do with our babies once they got home. I think that helped us cope with the time we were missing while we waited.

We talked about how 18 Summers is ALL we get. We wanted to make sure that we packed as much into those 18 summers that we possibly could. And so we made lists of things we wanted to do.

The days may be long but the years are short. As I reflect back on those years they are some of the best of my life. The memories that I have created with my son are enough to last me a lifetime. You see, I thought they were for him but as they pass I realize they were partly for him and mostly for me.

So Mama's forget about cleaning this summer. I mean REALLY who cares if you house is spotless! What matters is the time that is spent with your kids. Love them! Don't just tell them. Show them. Spend time with them. Create memories. Make a fire pit. Go kayaking. Go caving. Go to the drive in movies. Eat ice-cream for breakfast. These are the things they will remember. Take pictures with your kids. Who cares if you "need" to lose weight. They are only going to remember that you refused to take the picture.

You only have 18 summers. So live it to the fullest. Write the best story and enjoy every moment. Have fun. Laugh a lot. Go on vacation. Try something new. Never settle and it doesn't have to cost you a fortune to accomplish. Look for free things to do. When they are little it is easy to stay home because it is hard to leave the house but trust me. Leave the house. Go to the park, pack a picnic lunch, go to the community pool, watch a movie under the stars, create a summer bucket list. One day you will look back and wish you did the things. Take my advice and do the things.

18 Summers Is All We Get. So when people ask me why we do all the things. Well this is the answer. The days are long but the years are short. We try to pack in as many memories as we possibly can. I hope this inspires you to create the best summer vacation with your kids. Tell me what do you like to enjoy with your kids in the summer?