It’s hard to believe that we are halfway through the year now. This summer seems to be going by at lightning speed. For some families, school just ended a couple of weeks ago. But for many of us, school starts again in less than a month.

I have enjoyed seeing my friends share their trips to college orientations on Facebook. It makes me realize that I am only two summers away from my firstborn graduating from high school. Yes, I get a little melancholy.

Summertime can be busy – work for you and your teenager, looking at colleges, determining majors, studying for the SAT or ACT, drafting college essays, volunteering, and keeping track of it all. Make sure you take time this summer to bond as a family and make a memory or two.

Road trips and vacations are great memory makers. Water balloon fights, picnics at the neighborhood pool, and attending local free outdoor concerts are some other ideas that don’t cost a lot of money. I still have fond memories of cookouts with my family every summer.

My family and I are getting ready to travel to Hendersonville, NC for our annual get together with my in-laws. We do a big cookout and watch the fireworks in the quaint downtown square. I love my time with my in-laws and being in Hendersonville. You may remember my Thanksgiving blog post Why It Pays to Share Our Stories With Our Kids, where I talk about going to Hendersonville. You can click on the title in case you missed it.

What memories are you making with your family this summer? Tell us in the comments.

I hope everyone has a fun-filled and memorable 4th of July holiday this week!