stay or vacay?
ON A DIME
Sweet summertime! A time filled with laughter throughout neighborhoods, swimming pools, beaches, snow cones, family vacations
and dreading going back to school in the fall. I don’t know about you, but I didn’t grow up going on elaborate summer vacations every
year. We were blessed to be able to travel some, and I have a lot of great memories from those trips, but I find now that I’m an adult I feel
sad when summer rolls around every year and our family isn’t going anywhere. I think it can be attributed to the explosion of social media
in the last 10 years, because now we know the exact moment someone is leaving the airport on their trip to a tropical paradise based on
their Facebook checkin, and even know what terminal they’re leaving from. That entire week, or longer, we’re bombarded with pictures
of beautiful flowers, piña coladas, beautiful beaches and waves, and the thought of, “I just had my kid’s chicken nuggets they didn’t
finish for lunch.” Yes, social media stirs up feelings of jealousy, which is a topic for another day, but what I always fail to remember is that
when I think about childhood, I couldn’t tell you how old I was or when we went on vacations. I couldn’t even tell you how long we went
or where we stayed. I remember vividly laughing with my Mom in the van on a road trip, or other memories made with my family, not any
of the other specifics we often obsess over as an adult. So I urge you, sisters, as Summer is approaching, don’t fret on what you can’t do,
but rather on what you can. Vacation is about being good stewards of the money God has given us as well, because those trips are but
moments in time. Here’s a collection of unique and affordable ideas to make memories with your family this summer.
BEACH/LAKE HOUSE
DAY TRIPS
PARK IT
Many cities have parks
GET WILD
Get a group of friends or fami-
With Houston only 4 hours
ly together and rent a beach
away it’s feasible to make a
where they offer free concerts,
thing more than just general
or lake house. You can often
day trip to this Gulf Coast city.
movies nights and events all
admission if you’re willing to
rent them for just a few days or
There are so many sites and
summer long, along with good
pay the price, allbeit far cheap-
a week at a time, with many
attractions that Houston and its
ole’ playgrounds. You can find
er than an out of town trip. With
capable of hosting more than
suburbs offer that there’s too
these free events with a simple
options of a Backstage Safari
2-3 families comfortably. By the
many to list here. Visit Houston
web search. Go early in the af-
the adventure is wild and avail-
time you divide up the rental
city websites or check out our
ternoon and let your kids play,
able to you and your family!
cost you’re way below what a
calendar for some fun things to
then stay and enjoy free music
Many tours require advanced
hotel room would cost a family
do for the whole family! One of
or a movie. No matter how long
registration, so check online
of 4. With full kitchens in home,
our favorite resources is Houston
you choose to stay your kids will
before heading out. There are
you’re all set to do your own
On The Cheap where you can
love the quality time with you,
also fun and educational ani-
cooking, which cuts the cost of
find free or cheap options last
and they’ll get some pent up
mal presentations throughout
eating out and time spent trav-
minute.
engery out, hopefully crashing
the day at different exhibits. Be
in bed early.
sure and grab a schedule!
eling to and from restaurants.
12
The Dallas Zoos offer some-