I just looked at my calendar. It’s July 31st. So, as usual, the calendar flips over tomorrow. Tomorrow is August 1st. I just got a little bit of spring in my step as I think about one child heading back to school and the chance to spend the one-on-one time with my 2-year-old again. I also just panicked. I’m one of those parents who have a love/hate relationship with summer and the first day of school. But usually by July 31, I’m done with summer, the heat, the humidity, the frugality I obsess with in trying to keep summer cost at a minimum. At the same time, I also get excited because as a child, I always loved that “butterfly” feeling in the pit of my stomach when the new school year was rounding the bend. As a parent though, I want to squeeze as much out of the next twenty days as I possibly can. My daughter is starting her last year in elementary school this August, and I’m just a sentimental mother. I just don’t want to keep watching her grow. But nature takes its course, she grows, because I just keep feeding her and nurturing her and well, there’s nothing I can do to control the fact that she is and will continue to, grow up on me.
Back to these family activities you can still participate in with your family during these last three (barely) weeks of summer. A bulleted list for you to check off, if you desire.
- The Louisville Free Public Library has plenty of fun, free programs left on their August calendar. Click here for more information. Don’t forget your children and teens have until August 10 to turn in their summer reading logs to claim their prizes.
- Bernheim Forest has another ECO kids day and nighttime star gazing events coming. Click here for more information.
- Locust Grove is hosting its George Groghan Day on Saturday, August 3, 11am-3pm. Click here for information.
- All About Kids is having a free open house to learn about all of their sports programs for kids. It’s Sunday, August 4, 2pm-4pm. Call 502-365-1386 for more information or click here.
- Kentucky Science Center has plenty of programming inside its cool doors. Click here for more information.
- Local Speed in the Nulu neighborhood hosts free family workshops every Saturday. Click here for more information.
- Louisville Zoo is hosting another Friday night movie along with other Water WOWS family programs with the Louisville Water Company throughout the month of August. Click here for more information.
- Blackacre Nature Preserve has a stargazing night on Saturday, August 3 at 9m. Click here for more information.
- Heartland Music Together free demo classes continue through August 15. Click here for a list.
- Squallis Puppeteers hosts their 1st Saturday performance on August 3, 1pm. Click here for more information.
- Rauch Planetarium at UofL has some public shows on Friday nights and Saturday afternoons in August. Click here for more information.
- There are still plenty of more free movies and summer concerts along with hot summer days for some cooling off at area splash parks and spraygrounds.
- Children in the Dell family programs continue on Saturdays through September 28th at Yew Dell Botanical Gardens. Click here for more information.
- “Woofstock” Pet Day and Butterflies is Saturday, August 17, 10am-2pm at Creasey Mahan Nature Preserve. Click here for more information.
I visited a Target store this afternoon and saw all of the parents and caregivers school supply shopping with their kids and their lists. I almost went to the back of the store to smell the new, unsharpened pencils. I hesitated though. There’s still plenty of summer left to be had (for most of us; I realize Indiana schools start back really soon) before we venture in with our coupons and our teacher’s school letter. Happy August!
Photo by Erin Nevitt
