We have seven summers left together as a family.

Seven summers before our eldest will be off to college.

Seven summers until summer jobs, holidays with friends, and other commitments will take over. Of course, we will see each other!

I realized this last year and since then our girls have been meticulously researching and suggesting places, experiences, and ideas for how we will spend each of our next seven summers.

As research proves, surprises are overrated and the excitement of looking forward to something gives you just as much joy as the event itself. We have found that in our house planning our future summers together.

Then COVID-19 hit. We had to adjust. Our 2020 summer might consist of our backyard, or remote experiences just with our family. My mum and dad were meant to be here from England for three weeks right now.

So instead we are teaching our three girls (and reminding ourselves) resilience, adaptability, being grateful for what we do have, and helping those who are less fortunate.

We bought a fire pit for our back garden, created an outdoor gymnastics area, and turned a kids' playhouse into an arts and crafts corner. We are learning the art of collaboration (ok, arguing!) with a family island on Nintendo’s Animal Crossing, my eldest daughter has set up a dog treat business thanks to the kid's marketplace on bizzygirls.com, our girls are taking it in turns to be Chef for the night and making dinner and dessert, and we are exploring more of our local history in Southern California.

What will this summer bring?

Perhaps we will rent an RV.

Perhaps we will escape to the mountains.

Perhaps we will adjust and adapt for 2020 and keep planning the next six summers in faraway places.

Enjoy the joy of the unknown.

Dedicated to growing your business,

Val

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