Your End-of-Summer To Do List

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Prepare yourself for some sad news…

The summer is coming to an end.

At the time of writing, we are now in August, and that means we only have a few weeks of the summer season left. You are probably blowing your nose with a tissue right now, tears streaming down your sun-bronzed cheeks as you contemplate summer's demise (or perhaps you just have hay fever). 

(Or, if you have energetic, school-aged children, you may be doing a happy dance right now.  Either way, read on.)

So, with the autumn season on the horizon, you need to seize the day and make the most of the final days of summer while you have them. Still, amongst the fun things you need to make time for, it is also important to make time for a few practical tasks too, as boring as they are. We will start with these tedious chores first, before giving you a few suggestions on having a little more summer fun while the sun still shines.

Practical Things to do Before Summer Ends

Procrastinate all you want, probably with an ice cream in one hand and a summer cocktail in the other, but you do need to sort out a few practicalities before the colder weather sets in. Any home repair jobs will only get worse if you don't get on top of them, and there are a couple of other things to do as well.

Here are my top suggestions:

1. Turn on Your Central Heating

Yes, we know the temperature is probably at boiling point outside, but if your central heating isn't working, then you are going to resemble that popsicle you are eating right now once the chillier seasons set in. Turn it on then to make sure everything is working as it should. If you spot any problems - the water isn't heating up, there are loud noises in your water tanks - then you might need to replace the pumps in the tank, or fork out for a new tank altogether. Contact a plumber for advice.

2. Check for Drafts in Your Doors and Windows

You should only be wearing a scarf and gloves when you're outdoors in the colder months, but you might have to wrap up warm inside if the cold air is pushing through any gaps in your doors and windows. Draft-proof your doors and windows ahead of time then, so your home doesn't later resemble an igloo!

If you need more help with weatherproofing, check out my guide to weatherproofing your house.

3. Check Your Roof

Who doesn't love getting a shower in the morning? 

Oh wait...that’s not the shower…

Most of us like the actual shower, but not if we are receiving an impromptu shower coming through the roof. Therefore, get your step ladders out and check for any missing or broken tiles, and call out a roofer to fix any problems, so you don't have to endure the rainy season indoors.

4. Clear Out Your Freezer

You need to make room for your autumn foods, so if your freezer compartment is overflowing with ice creams, popsicles, and barbecue foods, then (and this a fun chore), you need to start polishing them off now. Check out our #1 fun thing to do in a moment.

5. Check Your Kids’ School Bags

You don't want to discover that your children have hidden a summer homework project from you on the last day of the school holidays! 

Check their bags now for any letters from their teacher, and then encourage them to crack on with it before you're forced to do it for them hours before school is about to start.

If you haven’t been a “mean mom” over the summer, you may want to print out a few free review worksheets for whatever grade levels your kids are about to enter.  You never know what kind of mental cobwebs have built up in the months off.

Fun Things to do Before Summer Ends

Okay, so with the boring things to do out of the way, let's get on with the fun stuff!

1. Throw a Summer Social

Not only is this a perfect way to use up the summer foods filling up your freezer compartments, but it's the perfect way to see out summer with a bang. Get your family, friends, and neighbors around, have a barbecue, prepare some summer cocktails, play a few outdoor games, and even let off a few fireworks too. Let the party begin!

2. Do Something Fun with the Kids

The kids will be going back to school soon, and you might be heading back to work. 

(Sorry for the reminders.)

Therefore, make the most of the time you have with your kids now, as bonding time might be in short supply in a few weeks' time. So, think about those things that you haven't had time to do with your kids yet, and get on with them. 

You might set up a tent in the garden, for example, and camp out under the stars with them. Or you might plan a massive water fight, arming yourselves with water guns and balloons for a wet and wild battle. Or why not head out into nature for a walk and a family picnic? Exercise and fun combined! 

And if those ideas aren't enough for you, there are (count 'em) 101 ideas here for summer fun with your family. Show them the list, and together, pick out your favorites.

3. Finish Your Summer Reading List

Did you arm yourself with books before the summer? 

Many of us do, hoping to get the time to relax with the latest Margaret Attwood or Joshilyn Jackson while lounging in the back garden or on the beach when we're on vacation. But if  you haven't had time to finish your summer reading list yet (or if you haven't even had time to begin), then perhaps now is the time to carve out a day or two where it's just you, a good book, and a tasty summer cocktail. 

4. Catch Up on the Latest Summer Blockbusters

There have been some fantastic movies showing at the multiplexes this summer, with The Lion King, Toy Story 4, and Spiderman: Far From Home being just a few examples. 

If you haven't had the time to see them yet, or if your kids have been pestering you ad infinitum to go, then you should make the effort to see them. Sure, you could wait until they come out on DVD or hit Netflix, but there is something special about seeing a movie on the big screen, especially when they are filled with the latest in special effects, and you can watch your children's eyes fill with wonder (or the residual sugar high from movie theater snacks). 

Finally...

So, what are you waiting for? 

Get those tedious practical jobs out of the way while you still have the good weather to make them more tolerable, and then get on with the good stuff. The summer is coming to a close, but that doesn't mean the fun has to stop just yet!

Thanks for reading.