End Of Summer Blues? Make The Most Of What's Left

While the leaves haven't changed colors yet, it's still true that summer is ending in only a matter of weeks. Kids will start going back to school and you will begin a new daily routine. Summer living will definitely be over. But before you pack away those flip flops and swimsuits, here are a few last "must do's" before you let your summer officially end.

Throw one last summer bash for Labor Day. Visit family or gather the neighbors together for a small bar-b-que. It will be a great chance for the kids to get out some leftover energy and have fun before they will be glued to their desks five days a week. Everyone can look back on the memories they made that summer and share stories with one another. Have left over decorations, paper plates and other goodies from previous summer parties? Use up all of these great luau, patriotic and other summer-inspired decoartions and party ware and make it a mixed summer celebration. It can be like one big end of summer party all rolled into one. It would be a great way to use up those extra items, and not to mention you won't have to worry about storing them all year long.

Spend some quality time with your kids by creating mementos from your summer break. Work on a scrapbook together using all the photos you took of the different things your family did together over the summer. Everyone can make their own page of their favorite time and make sure to get dad involved too! Create shadowboxes from using items the kids kept from your big summer trip. If you went to the beach gather the seashells they collected and some sand. Let the kids come up with a cool design. You could also create a collage. Say you went camping; pick out a few of your favorite photos, maybe the brochure from your campsite or some of the places you visited. Have the kids write down their favorite memory from the trip and stick that on the collage too. Creating these projects will be great quality time with the family and you'll get to look back on all the wonderful memories you made.

While remembering the summer and all the fun you had is great, you still have to deal with the reality that it's time to get back into the groove of things. Be prepared. Get all the supplies you and your children need for the upcoming school year. Perhaps get a large family calendar that you can put everyone's schedules on, as the extra activities will be quickly building up. Being prepared ahead of time will help save you from a few headaches and mishaps in the future.

Summers come and ago every year. Be thankful you had another fun-filled one with your family and friends. Stay positive for the new school year, as there may be a few bumps along the way. Remember even though the summer may be officially over, the sun will still be shinning.

Easy Seaside Shrimp Spread

My mother used to make this recipe and it is so easy and so delicious!

Ingredients:

• 8-oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened
• 2 6-oz. cans tiny shrimp, drained
• 1 t. Worcestershire sauce
• 1 onion, finely chopped or grated
• carrot and celery sticks or snack crackers

Directions:

With an electric mixer on low, beat cream cheese until smooth. Stir in onions and Worcestershire. Mash shrimp with a fork; combine with cream cheese mixture and mix well. Serve with vegetables or crackers. Makes about 2-1/2 cups.