This was my first full week of summer. I admit that I am fully basking in the fact that I am off work. I am so enjoying the slower pace.

For context: I am off in summers since #teacher; my husband works full time in corporate America. He works from home three days a week, with two days in-office. The kids are not in camps until that one week in August when they are both in two different camps.

Except a $200 dinner to celebrate our anniversary, this week we utilized any free/low cost resources available to us through our town, the neighboring towns, and local county:

😎 we went to FOUR different playgrounds and one of them had a splash pad that we did not know about. It was glorious. And free.

😎 got pool passes- our town has free pool access for residents; you just have to register by showing ID and proof of address.

😎 We went to the library: twice. Once on Tuesday and once on Wednesday. Signed up for summer reading program for both kids. Free.

😎 grilled meat – three times. Our gas grill is 9 years old. I had to clean it real good and get new heat plates (where the grease drips on). But now it’s functioning perfectly. The cost of meat and the cost of heat plates.

😎 celebrated our 14(!!!) year anniversary! $200 dinner

😎 got pizza $25

😎 Had lots of time outside- back yard, front yard, trampoline : free

Hanging in the evening light…

😎 did hair : free

😎 had a picnic at one of the playgrounds – brought all the food from home, and I treated myself to a $5 coffee from Wawa.

An impressive spread lol

Next week is more of the same summer mode..

1. Municipal pool

2. Library

3. Playgrounds

4. Grilling

5. Picnicking

6. Back yard/trampoline

7. Reading and listening to books.

Tell me about your week!


17 responses to “first week of summer + 14 year anniversary”

  1. Nicole MacPherson Avatar

    Oh, happy anniversary! What a beautiful couple you two make. *heart eyes*

    It’s been a nice week here – lots of gardening, lots of reading and writing – nothing really new or notable, but a nice week.

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  2. Lisa Avatar
    Lisa

    libraries are amazing resources! Besides the books and kids reading program, our offers many fun events throughout the week. Arts & crafts, story time, occasional outside performances (taiko drumming, juggling/magicians, reptile shows etc). All free! It’s a great way to spend time and burn a few hours each week.

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    1. Daria Avatar

      Taiko performance??? That’s amazing!

      Like

  3. Common Household Mom Avatar

    Happy anniversary!

    Sounds like you and your kids are in for a good summer. The library, the back yard, and the playground are great spots to spend time. I used them heavily as soon as school let out for the summer. My work load, although still part-time, would increase in the summer, just when the kids were around All Day Long. I was desperate to make up all sorts of organized things for them to do. Only sent them to camp for a week, maybe two.

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  4. Elisabeth Avatar

    Happy Anniversary. I LOVE that dress. You always look so wonderfully chic and gorgeous.

    Hooray for a slower pace as you ease into summer. It must feel like such a relief. And I love how much joy you can get out of free things. It’s hard to beat a splash pad with kids 🙂

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  5. Sophie Avatar

    Sounds like a great start to summer – that’s exactly the kind of holidays we like to do locally, playgrounds, free library programs are the best, plus the pool (luckily our family and friends have swimming pools we can visit). Nice slow, relaxing start is the way to go after your massive last couple of months. Our week has been just a normal work week, although the kids start their two weeks of school holidays as we call it in Australia. Its our winter break. Luckily our weather is nice at this time of year where I live.

    Happy anniversary to you both! Gorgeous photo, looks like a pretty spot. Nice to splash out on dinner occasionally. 🙂

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  6. Tina Avatar

    I think it was a very productive and fun week! Congratulations on your 14th anniversary!

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  7. satavtarkhalsa Avatar
    satavtarkhalsa

    Congratulations on your 14th anniversary! There are so many free or inexpensive things to do where I live also. The library, parks and the splash pad are all in our regular rotation as well.

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  8. rachelinwales Avatar

    Happy Anniversary! Sounds like a great summer and congrats on 15 years. Love the free/cheap fun for the kids and the more expensive dinner for you.

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  9. Coco Avatar

    love your summer vibe! chill, fun, outdoor! next week we don’t have camp so will try to do similar things.

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  10. Lisa’s Yarns Avatar

    Happy anniversary!! I’m glad you were able to go out on a date!

    It sounds like your summer is off to a great start. It’s nice to have a free pool to go to. We got pool passes and it was $130/person, I think. But the cost will make us go often. We’ve already been 3 times!!

    The boys had camp at our church last week and had a blast. They went on 3 field trips and the raptor center did a demonstration on Friday. Today they left with my parents to spend the week at the lake so we are alone in a quiet house! Woo hoo!!!

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  11. Kari Avatar

    Happy Anniversary!!

    I remember the days of early summer break and keeping the kids busy. It’s fun and tiring all at the same time. Good job, Mom! 😘💜

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  12. Melissa Avatar

    This looks like a wonderful start to your summer and also a lot like how my kids spent their holidays, although maybe with a bit more just go outside and play from me because I am lazy. I’m glad you are finally on a break and able to recharge.

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  13. jennystancampiano Avatar
    jennystancampiano

    Aw, Happy Anniversary! This sounds like a really fun week, and WOOHOO for summer vacation! My parents were both teachers, so we had carefree summers like this. I really loved it, and was glad I didn’t have to go to camp. Enjoy every single second!

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  14. pocobrat1c78170505 Avatar
    pocobrat1c78170505

    Happy Anniversary! What a lovely photo of you two!

    What a great start to the summer… I love turning my morning alarm off on the last day of school!

    Like

  15. slow living updates – Mom of Children Avatar

    […] my last post, we went down the shore (a very New Jersey expression meaning “go to the beach”). It was cloudy […]

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  16. San Avatar

    Happy anniversary! Sounds like a fun date night!

    And I am happy to hear you have all these fun things lined up for the summer… being a teacher when you have young kids can be a blessing.

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