2017 Summer Bucket List

So here it is...our annual Summer Family Bucket List.
If you decide to do a bucket list too, let us know.  We'd love to see what everyone else is doing too!!  Now to get started on crossing things off!


Make homemade pretzels

Try a new food (for mom and for kids)

Kids plan and cook dinner (each kid) (C: 7/13, M: 7/14)

Visit the ISU Horticulture Center Children's Garden (6/28/17)

Go to Lambert's Cafe (in Missouri) (7/23)

Create a travel bug (Geocache) and send it on its way (7/25)

Find a geocache in every state we visit this summer (This summer we have geocached in Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Nebraska, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Iowa)

Walk 100 miles as a family

Try a new restaurant in town 

Go to a White Sox Game (7/30)

Road trip to Oklahoma (7/25)

Go to Mrs. Wilcox's House....again (7/21)

Playdate with the Rizzo family (6/26/17)

Go to Six Flags at least 4 times (we went at least 4 times by 6/4/17)

Playdate/Visit Milwaukee Friends

Plant a new herb/fruit/vegetable in the garden (this year we are trying boston lettuce and orange peppers as our new veggies)
Go to Monkey Joe's (7/25)
Eat at Sugar in Peoria (Changed our minds due to current menu and went to Firehouse Pizza instead)

Paint 2 bedrooms (and move Matthew into his own room) (6/27/17: Matthew is in his own room and his room is painted a very bright blue (that he picked out))

Go to IKEA (7/30)

Do a Random Act of Kindness with the kids (1 act done 6/30)
Everyone catches a fish in Green Lake (we barely made it, but it happened 4th of July weekend)

Primitive camping (Tracy's version of it)
Go to the pool at least 6 times (completed by 7/31)
Play Pass the Water Game with our cousins
Go to a beach (7/27)

2016 Summer Bucket List: We almost finished it!

One of my favorite days of the year has finally arrived.  The day I get to spend the next 81 days with my family!  We love summer vacation in our house.  It's a time for all 5 of us to be home together...all.day.long.  I probably should say that we love this time of year for the first 6 weeks or so, then we all need a little break...from each other.  Just kidding...sort of.

The bucket list this summer is a compilation of all of our ideas.  Ok most of these are my ideas but you can probably see who actually picked what.  LOL 

Go to Mrs Wilcox's house (7/15)

Walk 100 miles as a family (we made it to 75.5)

Document our summer every day on Instagram (8/14)

Have a water balloon fight (7/4)
Try a new restaurant in town (Blaze Pizza, 7/14)

1 week sugar free (the whole family) (week of 7/24)

Make yogurt silly putty (6/14)

Girls lunch/tea party at The Tea Room at the Depot
Go to a White Sox Game

Get a new vegetable or herb from the farmers market (Rye Berries 6/18)

Find 10 new geocaches (we found 19 from 5/27-7/10)
Attend mass at a church in a different town (7/3, Green Lake WI)
Make Jello Sherbet

Go to the drive-in (7/10)

Buy/play a new family game (Farkle, 6/3)

Go to the zoo (8/4)

Go to the movies  (6/17)
Visit/Eat at All Aboard Train Diner (7/18)

Visit Wolf River Refuge (7/7)

Make Campfire Cone Smore's (7/22)

Make Soap Foam Sidewalk Paint

Get a pool pass! (5/31)

Stay in a silo (aka double cottage) (6/9)
Complete the library summer reading program (7/22)
Kids photo scavenger hunt (6/9)
Go to Airtastic or Jumpzone (6/21)
Learn a new prayer (each kid has a different one) (still in process)
Write a letter to someone in the military (operation gratitude) (7/13)
Choose items to send to military members (operation gratitude) (7/28)
Complete a Shoe Cutting party for Sole Hope (still in process)
Create one (or more!!) blankets for Project Linus (6/4, we created 3)
Go fishing (7/2)
Feed the ducks (6/19)
Complete 5 Lego Challenges (6/28)
Visit a State Park (6/28)
Olympic ring art project (8/13)
Each kid plans/makes dinner (whatever they want!) (Chloe: 6/24, Allison 7/12, Matthew 7/14)
Get new couches (arrived 7/26)

So....tell us below, what's on your summer bucket list?????

2015 Family Summer Bucket List

Well, compared to the last few years, our summer bucket this year is kind of lacking!  I don't know if it's because I'm running out ideas, getting lazy and tired, or just not into it this year.  The funny thing is I AM into it this year.  Just on a much smaller scale I guess.  So in no particular order, here is our summer bucket list items: 

• Spend the night in a caboose...again (8/13/15)
• Spend the night in an RV (6/7/15)
• Go to Ed Debevic's  (7/12/15)
• Make mango soft-serve ice cream (6/26/15)
• Make almond-joy banana soft serve ice cream (8/2/15)
• Create melted plastic cup art (6/26/15)
• Make movie night popcorn candy bar (we've decided to drop this one for this summer)
• Make roasted eggplant dip (7/19/2015)
• Eat at All Aboard Diner (8/4/15)
• Visit Santa Claus, Indiana (6/8/15)
• Go to Nashville, TN (6/7/15)
• Go geocaching (6/10/15)
• Make panna cotta (8/5/15)
• Tour Epiphany Farms
• Make Rolo Smores (8/1/15)
• Make Chocolate Zucchini Cake (7/19/15)
• Visit Ropp Jersey Cheese Farm
• Visit St Louis, MO (7/28/15...just the girls)
• Make Homemade Slurpees (6/20/15)
• Take an instagram photo documenting something we did EVERY day this summer (8/16/15)
• Reach 50 geocache finds (we started the summer at 32) (7/16/15)
• Read 10 books (Tracy) (6/25/15)

#1,578: Almond Joy Banana Ice Cream

I decided to put this recipe on our summer bucket list for several reasons:
1.  It's summer...and we love ice cream
2. It's healthy!
3.  It only has 6 ingredients...one of which is NOT sugar.

I took the kids with me to the grocery store and we got all of the ingredients (that we didn't already have on hand) for this recipe.  I was quite surprised that only 1 of the 3 kids liked this.  I personally thought it was good but there is nothing in this that I don't already enjoy eating.  :)  I personally would make this again...but only for myself.  

1-2 Bananas, Frozen
1 teaspoon of Vanilla Extract
1/8 cup of unsweetened coconut flakes
1/8 cup of sliced almonds
1 dark chocolate square or chocolate chips or any chocolate of your choice
1/8 cup of coconut milk or another milk of your choice

Place all of the ingredients into your blender and pulse until you get your soft serve consistency.  

#1,556 and #1,557: Chocolate Zucchini Cake with Chocolate Fudge Frosting

This is actually two recipes in one (one for the zucchini cake and one for the frosting).  My kids have been asking me to make zucchini bread for weeks now and I've had to put off making this recipe for one reason or another.  But tonight, I had some extra time and figured I'd throw these in the oven to make for them for breakfast tomorrow. I also made these in smaller pans (instead of the recommended 9x13 pan) so that I could give away some of this so we don't eat it all.  This was a huge hit in our house. We loved it...although I thought it was a little dry. Next time I'm going to add one more egg. 

For the zucchini cake:
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups sugar (I used 1 cup...who needs 2 cups of sugar?!!?)
1/2 cup dark baking cocoa (I just used regular baking cocoa)
1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
3/4 cup reduced-fat plain yogurt (I used a 3 oz container of Greek yogurt)
1/4 cup canola oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups shredded zucchini

Frosting Ingredients:
4 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
1/4 cup butter, cubed
1 can (5 ounces) evaporated milk
1 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

To make the cake:
Preheat oven to 350°. Grease a 13x9-in. baking pan.

In a large bowl, whisk the first seven ingredients. In another bowl, whisk eggs, yogurt, oil and vanilla until blended. Add to flour mixture; stir just until moistened. Stir in zucchini.

Transfer batter to prepared pan. Bake 25-30 minutes or until top springs back when lightly touched. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack.

To make the chocolate frosting:

Melt chocolate and butter in a metal bowl over barely simmering water. Stir until smooth.

Place evaporated milk, sugar and vanilla in a blender; cover and process 1 minute to dissolve sugar. Add warm chocolate mixture; cover and process just until mixture thickens to desired consistency, about 30 seconds. 

#1,525: Two Ingredient Mango Soft Serve

My kids love ice cream and would love if we walked to the store every night to get some.  So I decided to make this simple, fresh "ice cream" for them tonight.  I couldn't make it fast enough as they were super excited to try it.  They thought it was "just ok" and asked if I could make it with something else besides the coconut milk next time.  I think they were expecting ice cream and it is definitely a softer consistency than that.  I liked it though.  I doubt I'll make this again for this group, but I would definitely eat it again if put in front of me (let's be honest though, I'd probably eat anything sweet whether I liked it or not).   

2 cups of frozen mango
2-4 Tablespoons of Organic Heavy Cream or Full Fat Coconut Milk
10 drops of liquid stevia (optional)

Add the mango to a food processor and let it go until it reaches a creamy consistency.  Slowly add the heavy cream and continue to let it whip.   Add the liquid stevia if desired.  Scoop into bowls and enjoy. 

#1,317: Nutella Banana Popsicles

We may be back in school and technically summer is over for us, but that didn't stop me from trying to squeeze in another summer bucket list item!  (Summer isn't officially over yet for a few more weeks, so this counts right?!).  I made Nutella Banana popsicles for 2 of my kids, and a Peanut butter banana popsicle for Allison who has a tree nut allergy.

The kids LOVED these, and I loved that I got a protein and dairy into them all the while they were thinking they were having dessert.  

These are so easy to make, but the original recipe suggest swirling the ingredients together...that's one more step that I don't think is needed.  So I threw everything into a blender and combined it all.  The kids really loved these so we will definitely be making these again!

Four 5.3-6 oz containers Vanilla Greek Yogurt (I thought this was A LOT of yogurt, so I used about 1 cup total)

1 overripe banana, mashed (1 used 2 bananas)

½ c chocolate hazelnut spread (like Nutella)

In a small bowl, combine two of the containers of Greek yogurt and the mashed banana, and stir until thoroughly incorporated.

In a small bowl, combine the remaining two containers of Greek yogurt and the chocolate hazelnut spread, and stir until thoroughly incorporated.

Fill popsicle molds or small paper or plastic cups by layering the two yogurt mixtures (swirl with a knife, skewer or chopstick, if desired), or, to create swirls, place alternating large dollops of the yogurt mixtures in a large plastic storage bag, cut off the corner for about a ½-3/4 inch opening, and pipe into the molds or cups.

Insert sticks and place in freezer several hours, until frozen.

#1,309: Princess Punch (and Summer Bucket List Item)

This recipe was sitting on our summer bucket list so the girls were excited to help me make it (I think they were more excited by the name than the fact it was on our bucket list!).  The kids really enjoyed this punch and I will definitely make it again...especially for a crowd because it makes a ton! 

46 oz can pineapple juice
6 oz frozen pink lemonade
2 1/2 c water
3 (28 oz) bottles of ginger ale
1 quart strawberry ice cream (I used raspberry sorbet)

Mix all ingredients and stir until all frozen ingredients dissolve.  

Family Bucket List: Frozen Olaf Paint

The only thing missing from this "recipe" was the glitter, and that's because I didn't feel like running to school to pick it up.  So I added a tiny bit of blue food coloring into this shaving cream/glue mixture for the kids.  The kids had been bugging us for weeks to make this one, so I'm glad we finally had a chance to get it done.

Frozen Olaf Paint

Family Bucket List: Go to the beach

No explaination needed for this bucket list item.  This was a kid's request, as being on a beach is sort of like a personal hell.  I hate sand.  I hate the feel of it on my skin, the mess it makes, how it sticks to everything....blech!  But Chloe told me "This was the BEST bucket list item!"...so it made the day totally worth it! :) 

Go to the Beach

Family Bucket List: Sleep in a Caboose

This was one of our bucket list items that we were all excited to do.  So when the weather was cooler and dry, we decided it was the perfect day/night to head out to Wildlife Prairie State Park and sleep in one of their train cars. 

We LOVED this.  I would definitely do this again, it was so much fun, and a lot like camping, except I had running water, a flush toilet and a shower to use!  We also had access to almost all of the park after hours, so it was like we had the place to ourselves.  

 Sleep in a Caboose

Family Bucket List: Photo Scavenger Hunt

I have been holding off on this activity because I felt it would be perfect for when we went to a nature park.  I knew some of the things we might see on our trip (like Buffalo) so I adapted it to things the girls would come across/find.  Since Chloe isn't reading yet I decided to put some pictures/clipart with each of the items we were looking for so she would have an easier time with this.

The kids loved it the first day.  Then they got tired of it...or maybe they got tired of looking for specific things.  I think they would have preferred to take pictures of whatever they wanted.  :)  

Attached are some of Allison's pictures as well as the image of the scavenger hunt I made for them. 

Photo Scavenger Hunt

Family Bucket List: Have a water balloon fight

No explanation necessary for this event!  The kids had a blast!  (PS...Chloe is brutal!)  Sorry, no photo for this one...we ended up taking a video instead. 

Have a water balloon fight

Family Bucket List: Painting on Wet Glue

Thanks to a summer class I signed the girls up for, we were able to complete this summer bucket list.  It was already on our list of things to do this summer, and since they did it in class, I figured it counted as one of our things we could cross off.  This project has definite pros and cons.  The kids enjoyed making these and were eager for them to dry.  But if you spread the glue too thin (like Chloe did) then it started to rip as we took it off the foil paper.  They turned out cute, but what does one do with it when it's dry??  I suppose we could have stuck it to the window but we didn't.  I don't know if I would make these again, but they enjoyed this project none-the-less. 

Painting on Wet Glue

Family Bucket List: Balloon Tennis and Painting in the Rain

Monday was a rainy, lazy day at home, so we fit in a few of our "at home" summer bucket list ideas.  This included:

Balloon Tennis and Painting in the Rain

The kids had more fun with tennis and the rain painting didn't turn out exactly as we had hoped.  I think we may have left it in the rain for a little too long.  That's okay though, two more things to cross off our list!

Balloon Tennis 

Painting in the Rain

Family Bucket List: Spotted Cow

So I found a recipe to make "Spotted Cows" which are very similiar to a root beer float.  Except the ingredients are slightly different.  To make a spotted cow you fill a glass with chocolate chip ice cream, add a little seltzer water (instead of the root beer) and top with some chocolate syrup.  My kids at first weren't sure about the seltzer water, but they all ended up finishing their dessert.  I'd say this was a successful bucket list item.  :)  (Excuse A's hair...she just came back from swimming lessons!)

Spotted Cow Recipe

Family Bucket List: Grow a Garden

In the past, I've grown tomatoes, but I really wanted to attempt growing more veggies that I buy/eat regularly.  So we decided to make this a family affair and start a raised bed garden.  I got some non-GMO seeds, Brian made the raised bed, and the kids help water and run to the garden to get ingredients I want/need.  I planted 10 different types of veggies and herbs, but my butternut squash and tomatoes are totally overtaking this garden.  We are already planning on making at least one more raised bed for next summer.  :)


In case you are curious, I planted: Kale, butternut squash, spinach, radish, green onion, eggplant, tomatoes, cilantro, carrots and basil.

Grow a Garden

#1,272: Lemon Ice

This is actually an item on our summer bucket list, but since it's a recipe I figure I can count it as a new recipe as well.  My kids were super excited to try this lemon ice and begged me to keep checking to see if it was frozen yet.  They loved this.  It's sweet, is cold, it's sour, .... it's perfect for a summer day.  

3 cups water
1 cup sugar
1 cup lemon juice
1 Tbsp grated lemon zest

Mix water and sugar in a 2-qt saucepan; bring to boil over high heat. Boil uncovered, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes or until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat; stir in lemon juice and lemon zest.

Pour into a 13 x 9-in. baking pan. Freeze 1 hour; stir. Cover; freeze 2 hours or overnight until firm. Take your prepared lemon “cups” and then fill them with the frozen lemon ice.

Family Bucket List: Outdoor Waterbed

This was the only shot I got of this outdoor waterbed, but it's better than nothing.  Although this was fun to lay in, I had to keep reminding the kids (especially Matthew) that it wasn't for jumping on.  I was afraid he would pop it.  This took quite a while to fill and the duct tape was leaking.  Shortly after this got put together it was time for naps....then a storm came in.  By the next morning it was completely flat...and it killed the grass underneath very quickly.  Was it fun?  Yes.  Was it worth it?  Probably not.  Pinterest...sort of fail.  

Outdoor Waterbed

Family Bucket List: Adler Planetarium

What do you do when you wake up with no plans for the day...cross off another item from your summer bucket list!  We went to the Adler Planetarium in Chicago.  We've been there before, so it wasn't a totally new experience for them, but it's been a few years so Allison was the only one that remembered anything about going there.  The kids had a great time and we are glad we went back.

Adler Planetarium