The best school holiday ever – a child’s summer bucket list

You can tell when AJ is serious about something when the pencils and paper come out. It doesn't happen often – we're in the midst of a phase where writing and drawing fit squarely into the category of homework, and homework is (I've been told) "lame." But when he has a plan he writes it down. He draws a diagram. And he lets everyone know.

 

In pride of place on one of his bookshelves is the full set of Megan McDonald's 'Stink' series. If you're not familiar with them, James 'Stink' Moody is the 8 year old brother of the more famous Judy Moody and gets up to all the things that AJ dreams of (other than the ones that involve capes, superpowers and fighter jets) – he goes on treasure hunts and camping trips, has awesome sleepovers, rescues guinea pigs, takes part in a 'zombie walk' and has award-winningly smelly sneakers! So a few weeks ago when Film4 showed 'Judy Moody and The Not Bummer Summer', we made some popcorn and settled in.

 

The movie (which is better than I expected but still left me feeling like I'd just eaten a metric ton of Skittles) revolves around Judy Moody's plan to have the best summer ever. She makes a list of 'dares' – like see a scary movie, surf a big wave, ride an elephant – and allocates points to herself and her friends for however many they get through.  Watching this, you could almost see the gears turning in AJ's head. He had the pencils and paper out before the movie was even over.

 

We cleared a spot on the coffee table and made a list, with "AJ's Best Summer Ever" in big letters at the top. Actually, we made a couple of lists – neither he nor I can last too long without devolving into silliness and giggles, so we wound up with one list of 'Phineas & Ferb' style surrealism like building a giant battle robot or climbing up the Statue of Liberty (someone remind me to do the lottery, please!) But we wound up with a second list as well, and this one was full of good ideas.

 

He wants to have a barbecue, and sleep in a tent, and go on a road-trip. He wants to stay up super late, go to the beach, go to the mountains, go swimming. He wants to build something – not necessarily the aforementioned giant battle robot, but something. And he has a long, if not entirely realistic of summer movies to see:

 

"Minions?" he said.

"Sure."

"Ant-Man?"

"I'll look it up, but that should be okay."

"Jurassic World."

"Maybe."

"Terminator Genisys."

"Not on your life."

 

But the most delightful and surprising thing is how diverse his list is. Just when I think he's stuck in an infinite loop of screen time declaring things to be "lame," he surprises me. I don't know where he comes up with half this stuff, but I love it. Who knows what weather or money or time will actually allow us to do – if we get through one or two a week I'll be amazed – but I'll do everything I can to make sure he stays interested and engaged.

 

Now it's just a couple more weeks until school's out and we can start checking stuff off. And then next year we get to try and top it.