Getting ready for summer - you, children, home and everything!

[Junejunejune]

Last year there were a few really good threads on getting ready for autumn. I know summer is technically here but I’m not very organised with seasonal things. How do you get ready for summer - you, the kids, clothes, the house. Anything you can think of. I’m hoping to be on top of it this year.

I’d love this too! I always feel like I’m so disorganised

Haven’t made many preparations yet but I am going to start buying school uniform this month to save the hassle 😂

Bulk buy good suntan lotion

Uncover garden umbrella

Find sun hats and light clothes

Mow and strum the lawn

Make sure there is cash in in case ice cream can comes

Buy freeze at home ice pops

Have a menu of food which doesn’t need much cooking
usually have a fruit salad in fridge most of the time
buy Diet Coke cans in packs of 24

go through water safety warning with teens (again)

Get glass carafes out and have ice cold water with lemon slices on the table

Have more showers and use soap not shower gel
because our skin feels cleaner and dryer with soap

Passports/travel documents/suitcases/wash bags

Check first aid kit has Deet, insect bite cream, antihistamines

check car is topped up with the various liquids

sunglasses

buy Sunday papers for those hot lazy days

we don’t have any pets but am sure there’s a list for them

Yes of course
I am not sure we need anything but shoes this time for youngsters last year as we got next size blazer last year and he hasn’t worn it yet - grow rate has slowed

My garden stuff, sun hats, lighter bedding, fans etc are already out due to the half term heatwave.

I don’t do much else tbh expect have a pedicure and eat more salads/BBQs

DCs have roll on sunscreen & cap in their bags.

I don’t think about school uniform till end of August.

Summer is very fleeting tbh whereas for me Autumn. is also about getting ready for winter.

I can tell you what we've done:

Bought lots of sun cream and after sun lotion.

Stashed ice lollies in the freezer.

Got things like pillows, duvets, cushions, curtains etc washed on those really hot days when they dry in about an hour hung outside!

I'll also buy the next size uniform and school shoes etc at the start of the summer holidays so it is done. They don't always need it by September but it's useful to always have the next sized stored.

Wow @frozendaisy ! I think you have covered it all. So helpful. ☺️
I was struggling to think what we do apart from sun cream etc… but this is what I do;

• put autumn/winter clothes under spare room bed folded in vacuum bags and put spring/summer clothes in wardrobes.
• change to lighter duvets/no duvets on beds - white cotton for coolness
• get out the vans for bedrooms!
• get out the cooling towels and pads for pillows (only bought these last year)
• ensure there are lollies in freezer!
• put away any heavy blankets or throws
• change to summer cushions for n sofas (lighter colours!)
• store some coats away

put sunglasses etc in basked by front door gor easy access
when really hot, make cucumber and mint water which I store in a jug in the fridge.

Spend more time outside
Grown things from seed and begun planting them out
Haven't swapped the duvet for a summer one but did use a sheet when it was hot the other day
Eat more meals with salad
Have BBQ's
Been to the beach
Get the summer clothes out the loft and pack up the jumpers.
By the teens some new summer clothes because they've grown
Might clean the windows when it next stops raining

@Olive42
forget the change of duvets
and the exchange of heaters for fans

also get plastic cups and bowls out for garden eating

and have a foot bath which is lovely cool - we have an outdoor extension lead so can sit with feet in it

if you get an influx of tiny flies sticky fly paper works a treat it’s gross but works

put a shallow bowl of water (or a few) for any wildlife (hedgehogs in particular)

I love summer evenings

fucking hate “picnics” - eating in the garden lovely - picnics can fuck off - if forced I heat up a bunch of sausage rolls and throw in a bag of apples - that’s about it!

but at home happy to chill a watermelon

we have an ice cream sorbet maker we made a big tub full of alphonso mango sorbet to save for summer holidays - we tried lemon and lime last week - the teens want something sweeter next time so am thinking nectarine and then cherry

I love cherries possibly my favourite fruit

it’s about changing the rhythm
exercise early
then eat light, water heavy food

brew a coffee but chill it for an iced coffee

top up (aluminium free) antiperspirant
check enough razors and hair removal cream

Reading I’m feeling better as I’ve already done some of these.

I think I wash my winter duvets and put them away. My king size one is going to need a bigger machine. Are those ones at shopping centres OK or will they be full of pet hair?

Oh & my monthly window cleaner is always booked from end April