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Home » Play Ideas » My Nature Journal

8 Summer Firsts

Summer. I see it as a time where we have those extra moments to try something new or feel something we've never felt before. As I look back, our summer was full of those experiences!

My first trip to Chinatown in LA by public transportation. We took Metrolink from Irvine to Union Station to the Gold Line and walked up the street for Dim Sum at the Empress Pavilion and baked goodies at the 73 year old Phoenix Bakery.

First summer (of my life!) that I didn't watch the first Monday Night Football game. As of our June garage sale, we have NO television in our house.

First time I've shed tears over CA state parks. 70 will close unless we all take action. Watch this video about how the "relative significance of a park" is one of the criteria that decided which parks would close. (Learn more from Folk4Parks.org and California State Park Foundation.)

First time our whole family pooled all the our old photographs. A service then scanned our prints into digital, so now we have all those photos of me playing, eating, and sleeping. I've spent hours finding some old gems!

First time we did the whole caterpillar-to-butterfly metamorphosis with a kit at home.

First time I saw an Imagination Playground in action at a KaBOOM.org playground build in Anaheim.

First summer that I didn't have to get in the pool every time we went - because the kids can swim well enough on their own.

First time I stood on Hoover Dam.

 

What were some of your firsts?

Originally appeared on my Play Mom blog at OCFamily.com.

More My Nature Journal

  • Sharing My Mother's Mom-isms in Celebration of Mother's Day
  • Noguchi Gardens (California Scenario) in Costa Mesa
  • Practice 2 Simple Parenting Strategies and Never "Entertain" Your Young Kids Again
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About Michele Whiteaker

Writer mom and nature guide promoting play and empowering families to prioritize outside time since 2008. Park information gathered through my personal experiences and provided as a FREE community resource to millions of Orange County families over the past 17 years via blog and social media. Subscribe to my FREE weekly email inspiring you with park tips and play ideas.

"The Park Lady"

My name is Michele Whiteaker and I'd love for you to think of me as your personal Play Concierge. When I used to search online for family-friendly activities, nothing quite fit my playful outdoor interests or tight budget.

More about me

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