Summer came super late for us this year – our school year didn’t end until July 21st! Partially because of snow day makeups and partially because in 2016 our Maryland governor delayed the start of the school year until after Labor Day (in order to encourage and extend beach tourism a few more weekends – the drama continues); so, because we start late, we end late. As you can imagine, my crew was more than ready to be out of school by the time last Friday came. I gave them one week to do nothing and laze around (although “nothing” ended up being a day trip to NYC; a visit to the National Museum of African-American History and Culture (aka the “Blacksonian”); a campus visit with their college-bound cousin to Howard University; my son’s 11th birthday party and more. Now that I think of it, they are probably exhausted from their week of doing “nothing” LOL.

While I am a firm believer in kids having plenty of downtime during the summer, I also don’t want their brains to turn to mush, so starting tomorrow I am going to bring out their Summer Activity Kits (that I have yet to create, tee hee). They each have 1 camp that they’ll attend in July and then in August we will have a family vacation, God willing. So, in true Mom-fashion, I’ve got the kids all set – but I have to be intentional and make sure that I enjoy my summer too!

Tara of The Self-Care Suite sent out an email newsletter the other day about her Summer Bucket List and I loved that idea – I’ve been doing that albeit under other names for years. It helps me to not just let the days blur by and to ensure that I get in all of the goodness of my favorite season. So, without further ado, here is my 2019 Summer Bucket List!

Fergie’s 2019 Summer Bucket List

1. Take in a Festival or Two (or Three). The DC area comes alive with festivals starting Memorial Day weekend and through September – it’s the best! There’s something about the energy of people enjoying the weather, music and, of course, Festival Food. We’ve already done the DC Jazz Fest at The Wharf which was super fun. Another fave is the Summer Spirit Festival at Merriweather Post Pavillion. I also am headed to see Nas Illmatic 25th Anniversary with the National Symphony Orchestra at Wolftrap, a part of its Summer Performance Festival in a couple of weeks. It’s gonna be dope.
2. Get My Fill of the Beach and the Pool. Nothing says summer like the scent of sunscreen, splashing around in cool water and basking in the sun. The problem here is that my family does not appreciate the beaches north of Florida. They have been spoiled by the crystal clear waters and pristine sand of down South and the Caribbean and so any beach I take them to in the Mid-Atlantic or NE area generates eye rolls and frowns and a refusal to go in the water. It drives me batty. I’m anticipating having to go by myself this summer to a nearby beach. We did make our first pool trip yesterday though. Our normal pool is not in the budget this summer so we found a public pool that is nice enough for my bougie crew (my turn to eye roll). And ooooh! I’m headed to Montego Bay week after next. Catch me at the resort pool and on the beach, how bout dah?
3. Devour Some Fun Beach Reads. I love to read and don’t get to do it as much as I’d like – because, you know, life. Finding light chick-lit books is the perfect summer solution for me. I get to transport through entertaining beach reads and also make sure that I unplug from work, social media and adulting by setting aside time to read often. Our new porch Adirondack chairs are going to be perfect for this! And also my dedicated beach and pool time…I’m looking for recommendations, so if you have any please share. Faves of past summers have included: Where’d you go Bernadette? Anything by Lianne Moriarty or Emily Giffin, and YA novels, including The Yohnalossee Riding Camp for Girls. Until I get my hands on this summer’s selections, I’ve been binge-watching the Dynasty reboot, which is a perfect stand-in.
4. Have a Maryland Blue Crab Feast! Again, I’m being stifled by my wack family here. They only like snow crab and so the thought of picking over Maryland Blue Crabs is like punishment for them. I’ve only had the experience once – our old neighborhood pool had a Crab Feast and taught me how to get down, and I loved it. So I’m going to leave my fam in the dust and hook up with a friend who loves Blue Crabs and chow down. Summer isn’t complete in these parts without a few lobster rolls, and so that’s on my menu too. We’ve found a great place in Annapolis and so I’m adding it to our list to find a runner-up closer to home.
5. Being Grown & Sexy. Day parties, rooftop bars, open-air lounges, frosé on the patio – sign me up! Some lady friends and I have committed to getting together for drinks on a rooftop once a month for the summer. Today marks our first outing – woot! The second just happens to fall on my birthday, so that’s a recipe for #TheTurnup. These kinds of outings will force me to keep up with my manis and pedis, getting my hair did, rocking cute outfits and being out in these streets.

I already made my requisite cherry pie for the season and we have a neighborhood block party planned for July 4th. Summer is shaping up, if I do say so myself.