gearing up for summer break

While I've got to size up on all of Hendrik's footwear and clothing as always, gearing up for summer still feels a little different from usual this year - no outside camps or babysitters scheduled at the moment, no library or farmer's market entertainment for us either as we continue to stick to our little bubble. So we still need to be prepared for the heat and the sun and the playing outdoors - but also need a little more in the way of entertainment supplies than usual to keep us both sane.

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For clothes, we just went for new versions of our old favorites: quick-dry shorts, easy-on and easily washable) crocs, plus tops in wicking fabrics, like this polo from Target's new athletic line that is really good. (And I encourage as much golf as Peter wants - because he takes Hendrik and therefore leaves me with several glorious solo hours - so golf shirts are a necessity!) He also needed some new short-sleeved pjs and just loved this stripey version. Hendrik may be growing up, but he's not too old for cute pjs.

As for entertainment: no pool at the moment, but we do still have the lake, as well as the hose in the back yard! So it was time to upgrade the swimsuits that were too small, and of course replenish our sunscreen supply - spray-on is my favorite because it's so quick and easy. Add in a few new options for back yard games, like the velcro catch variety, and a stock of Hendrik's favorite types of granola bars for snacking.

And then workbooks are always a summer must here. Not necessarily for the learning, but mostly for the keeping him quiet for a while, and in a more edifying way than screentime (though there is plenty of opportunity for that too - his summer break excitement was getting to download an Animal Crossings game on my phone to try out). And new books are always good for some quiet time too! We were reminded recently how much we enjoyed this Zoey and Sassafras series - about a girl who uses evidence-based science investigation to figure out how to care for magical creatures that show up on her doorstep (and happens to be illustrated as a girl of color - which I am so happy to see, as we try to ensure diversity on our shelves) - so we are ordering some more in this series.

Some other things we already have around that are going to be essential for getting us through this summer:

• Micro kickboard scooter + helmet for our daily outings
• Rash guard with long sleeves, because when your heritage is as pasty-skinned as ours is...
• Online summer camps!! Our local college has amazing science camps, which were all cancelled of course, but they are offering one via Zoom for which they dropped off all the supplies on our doorstep; we also signed up for several free online camps on Varsity Tutors - have never tried their services before, but they have tons of great camp topics, and they are free!
• Sprinkler-hookup for back yard fun instead of going to the pool
• Brains On (or other favorite kid podcast) to entertain him during lunch while I get more work done (this has been a daily quarentime tradition that we're definitely keeping as we both love it!)
• Subscription boxes - we've been doing the monthly Booster Bricks Lego club and have really liked it, but Hendrik got into the idea of Kiwi Crate (thanks to podcast ads), so we might switch to that for a hands-on activity this summer
• Chores, which currently include helping empty the dishwasher and feeding Ginger, will probably increase to give me some help and him something more to do. Thinking garden watering and vacuuming will be good places to add on
• Grandparents?! Hopefully it will be safe for this as that together time will make everyone happy

How are you gearing up for summer? Any great ideas for keeping kids entertained while parents work??