Once I hit a certain age, I started to realize that I need to keep finding things that will entertain me and keep me occupied.  The other night Charlie and I went to see Toy Story 3.  It brought back a lot of memories of the good ol’ days–oh how I miss being so young.  Anyways, that’s beside the point.  I saw a preview for “Eat Pray Love” with Julia Roberts, who I’ve been envious of since the day I got my first wrinkle.  I figured I need some inspiration in my life, so I decided to start reading the book that the movie is based on by Elizabeth Gilbert.  Apparently it’s all the rave this summer. 

Regardless, this book is not so much inspiring me, but rather allowing me to live vicariously through this woman’s seemingly perfect adventure.  Maybe the inspiration will spring up like daisies when she goes to India, but page sixty-eight still has Elizabeth stuck in pleasure-filled Italy with nothing to do but eat everything in sight.  Anyways, my goal is to finish it before the movie comes out…we’ll see how this goes! Plus it’s Charlie’s movie for the month of August for Charlie’s Movie Night Hosted By Charlie Girl! Courtesy of Regal Cinemas.

So  I’m about halfway through summer, and I don’t want it to end!  The endless free time, swimming days, camps, cute girls, and ice cream eating has sent me into a three-month fantasy land that I never want to leave!  I know everyone can’t have as much fun as me because I get to hang out with Charlie all the time, so I want to give you all MY top five list of fun things to do this Summer!

Here they are…

1.  Convince your Parents to Take you to Wild Waves in Washington! I promise you won’t regret it!  This place is awesome…There is a full water park, water rides, and thrill rides that are all SO fun!

2. Have a Lemonade Stand.  This is a GREAT idea!  You get enjoy the summer sun while making money!  I’ve come to find that if you’re extra nice to the customers, they’ll give you extra tips.  I made enough money to take my secret crush out to lunch, so I wouldn’t have to ask Mom for more lunch money.

 I usually charge more than 25 cents…

3. Best Outdoor Toy of the Summer: The Banzai Titan Rocket Blast.  Mom said she wouldn’t buy me one because it’s “too big.” (It’s ONLY seven feet, she’s crazy.)  Thank goodness I have three friends who have one!  It can reach up to 100 feet in the air!

7-foot rocket

4.  Go on a Long Bike Ride: I do this at least twice a week.  Try this cool trick:  put a soda can on your back tire while you’re riding, and it makes your bike sound like a motorcycle–I swear it works!

5. Create Your Own Scavenger Hunt:  Create a list of things to find and/or do around your neighborhood.  For example, the first one could be to find something white and plastic in the street.  You have to get creative!   Gather at least  four friends together, and divide yourselves into teams.  Whoever can find everything on the list first wins!

I know there are billions of things you can do to keep yourselves occupied when you’re not in school, but these are my five favorites for this summer so far.  I’ve come to find that if I’m doing something outside, whether it be swimming, hiking, rollerblading, playing soccer, or drawing charlie horses on the sidewalk with chalk, I’m always having a blast!