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 at the nearest airport, and even know what terminal their 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
PARK IT
DAY TRIPS
Many
cities
have
GET WILD
parks
Get a group of friends or
With Dallas/Ft Worth only 4
family together and rent a
hours away, it’s feasible to make
where they offer free concerts,
something
beach or lake house. You can
a day trip this metropolitan
movies nights and events all
general
often rent them for just a few
playground. There are so many
summer long, along with good
willing to pay the price, allbeit
days or a week at a time, with
sites and attractions that each
ole’ playgrounds. You can find
far cheaper than an out of
many capable of hosting more
city and their suburbs offer that
these free events with a simple
town trip. With Private Tours of
than 2-3 families comfortably.
there’s too many to list here.
web search. Go early in the
just about every zoo exhibit and
By the time you divide up the
Visit city websites or check out
afternoon and let your kids play,
Vet For a Day packages, the
rental cost you’re way below
our calendar for some fun things
then stay and enjoy free music
adventure is wild and available
what a hotel room would cost
to do for the whole family!
or a movie. No matter how long
to you and your family! Many
a family of 4. With full kitchens
you choose to stay your kids will
tours are accessible for guests
in home, you’re all set to do
love the quality time with you.
with special needs and many
The
Houston
Zoo
more
admission
offers
than
if
just
you’re
your own cooking, which cuts
require advanced registration,
the cost of eating out and time
so plan ahead.
spent traveling to and from
restaurants.
12