Summer Bucket List

So I've seen this idea, floating around the bloggy world, of a summer bucket list. Can I just say I love it? Summer goes so fast, especially here, that it's easy to wake up one morning, see the school bus collecting kids on the corner, and realize you haven't done half the summer things you'd wanted to in June. What better way to make sure this doesn't happen than with a summer bucket list? Normally, summer is a hectic time for us, since my husband and I both have jobs that get much busier this time of year. I can't really say that this year has been any less hectic, but since I'm out on maternity leave until September, we have more flexibility than normal in our combined schedules. Plus, we have the added excitement of going from being a couple to a family of four! I know Emily and Erin won't remember this summer, but it doesn't mean I'm not eager to make it memorable. I'll make sure there are plenty of pictures to show them when they get older! Without further ado, then, here is my list so far:

• Become a twin mommy! I know, I know. No fair starting a list with something I've already done! But as you might remember from this post, putting "breathe" on your to-do list means there will always be something you can check off - and somehow, that makes it easier to cross something else off. 
• Read a book. To be more specific, a novel. I've read plenty of non-fiction this year (parenting books, twin parenting books, books on pregnancy, and a collection of Depression-era essays on regional cuisine in America) but I haven't read any fiction in quite a while. Any suggestions?
• Go on a picnic. Dan and I usually do this quite a bit in the summer, and since he proposed to me on a picnic, they hold a special place in my heart. Emily and Erin seem to like being outside, for short periods of time at least, so I plan to greet Dan after work some evening soon with a packed-up dinner (let's be realistic, it'll probably be PBJ, juice, apples, carrots and cookies) and head over to a park as a family to eat our dinner and enjoy the outdoors. 
• Take our new jogging stroller for a run. Okay, this one might not happen before Labor Day, but I'm hoping it will be possible fairly soon after I'm cleared to try exercising. The stroller isn't very heavy, and it maneuvers well, so I think I could handle at least a mile or so pushing it. I'm excited - my arms have never gotten a workout while I was running before! 
• Make something from Pinterest. I'm not as addicted to Pinterest as some of my friends, mainly because I really don't have time! I've seen some great, time-saving ideas on there, though, and I really want to try some of them before the summer ends. One last night that really caught my eye was Refrigerator Oatmeal. It uses steel-cut oats and yogurt, and you put them together with milk and fruit overnight. Normally, steel-cut oats take a really long time to cook, but they soak up enough liquid overnight to soften and be edible by morning this way! They are really good for you, so I think I can justify trying this. Plus, oatmeal is supposed to increase your milk supply when nursing, so doubly justified! 
• Start (and maybe finish?!) a Bible study. I have an app on my phone that not only lets me read the Bible, it links up to a whole bunch of Bible studies with different themes. Some of them are only 7 days, which is great! I like the idea of being able to focus intently on one aspect of Scripture without feeling like I've taken on something insurmountable. I'm three days into a study on Parenting right now - how appropriate! The app is by You Version and can be used on a computer or on your phone (I'm using my phone). It is free and there aren't any ads, which is very nice and so rare these days! 
• Go to the coast. Normally, we go several times over the course of the summer, but I think one or maybe two trips over will be all we do this year. I'm really excited to take the girls and walk on the beach with them in their baby carriers! They are little enough that I think it would be easy to include them, even though I think it will be more fun for them next year. 
• Get organized. Yes, I know this isn't a good goal. I paid attention in business school - a good goal should be S.M.A.R.T. (specific, measurable, attainable, reasonable, and timely). But as a new mom of twins, organization is a daily goal! I am always trying to figure out a better system for something so I can make it take just a little bit less time. One project that I have percolating in the background is a menu board that will help us to keep track of what's for dinner each day. This isn't something I found on Pinterest, but I pinned it so it's there now! While I was waiting at Target for a prescription yesterday, I picked up a frame and some clothespins so I can make the board someday soon. If I've got this in working order and I'm keeping track of everything else in my planner by the end of the summer, I will call myself organized! (There, you see? Now I have a SMART goal!)
• Clean out our closet. This one really should be closer to the top, but I guess I know it's going to happen so that's why it's not. We'll be moving out of our apartment in September, so of course our clothes are going with us! Before we go, though, since our new house has a smaller closet, I really want to reduce our clothes to what we actually wear. I know for a fact that I wear about three-quarters of what resides in my closet on a regular basis, so I can probably find some things that could either be stored elsewhere or that I could get rid of completely. When I do get around to this one, I'll make sure to post some before and after pictures!
• Get in a routine of making dinner. Making dinner isn't hard, and it promotes family bonding and saves lots of money, all while keeping your family healthier! Once I go back to work in the fall, I'll need to be well-practiced at getting it done while caring for the girls, however. Dan gained some good experience while I was on bed rest, so the two evenings where I won't be home to make dinner, I know he will be able to pull it off. Plus, since I'll be home in the mornings, I can easily make sure everything is there for him to cook or even leave something in the Crock-Pot! 
• Get in the water. I know swimming probably won't happen, but I really want to get in the water at least once! I don't mean that we have to be paddling around for hours, just that we'll either roll up our pants or be wearing shorts and get our feet and legs wet. This might combine nicely with the trip to the coast, if it's warm enough, or it might combine with a picnic. 

What's on your summer bucket list? What items have you checked off?

I linked this post at Jenna's blog for her Spicy Link-Up!