June is almost here. This means readjusting your eyes to sunlight, reteaching your brain to recognize the color green, and blow drying your yard so you can mow. Kids have a much easier time remembering the joys of great weather from year to year, and it's up to us to take their lead and get out there and make the most of the three and a half weeks of summer. It's also up to us to make sure that the summer can be enjoyed by those we love, and so here are five first steps to take so that the rest of the warm season goes off without a hitch.
1. Tick Bomb Your Yard
When my family and I moved to Manlius a few years ago, we weren't aware of how bad the tick situation was. On the contrary, I didn't think that I would have to protect my one-year-old twins from the crippling disease that ticks carry, especially after protecting them from a six-month crippling winter. Needless to say, it's a little insulting that we have to guard our children against nature.
For the love of all that is holy, treat your lawn. Do it early (now) to kill off the tick eggs, and once more in August when they least expect it. I might be insane, but I do it a third time in October just before the frost hits, so that there are no survivors to hibernate over the winter.
We do "tick checks" on our daughters every night, which is about as enjoyable as you might think. Remember, though, that if you catch the ticks in the first twenty-four hours, they haven't had a chance to spread lyme.
2. Buy Something to Attach to the Top of Your Car
Short of apple pie and baseball, there's nothing more American than driving down the interstate with luggage tied to the top of your car. I'm convinced (and have proven, over and over again) that you can tie anything to the top of a two-door Honda Accord. But I'm not talking about changing apartments in your twenties. I'm talking about responsibly attaching luggage and sporting equipment in a way that won't force the people behind you off the road.
In the Finger Lakes region, you can do anything. Fish, shoot, canoe, kayak, wakeboard, windsail, parasail. With over 19 million (approximate) bodies of water in Central New York, you're bound to pick up a hobby, and should definitely take a road trip of one kind or another with your family.
Don't have a roof rack? They make them for every make and model, and you'll love the irony of 16-foot kayaks on top of your Ford Focus. Already have a roof rack? Maybe move towards a Thule roof box to save some space in the car. Have a Thule? Okay, hot shot, think about some gear to hold that canoe down. The point is, move towards more mobility this summer. Your family is only getting older.
3. Plan a Trip
Go somewhere in Central New York this summer. Whether it's camping at Oneida Shores, heading to the Adirondacks, sailing the Thousand Islands...show your kids that they live in an amazing part of the country. No time to go to the ocean? Drive up to Lake Ontario and tell them it's the Atlantic. You can't see Canada so there won't be any weird questions.
4. Go to Balloonfest
Nothing will make up for a missed childhood like Balloonfest at Jamesville Beach. Short of seeing my daughters' faces for the first time, I can't remember anything more fun. If your life insurance policy is up to date, I'd even recommend taking a ride in one (reserve space, they fill up fast).
5. Sign Your Child up for a Sport
Is there anything better than watching a live sporting event? The skill. The determination. Years of training and perseverance on display while you sit back in judgement. Since Syracuse is short on pro sports (although you have to go watch the Chiefs), sign your own child up for a sport. For three and four year olds, soccer is the best bet, as no matter how good they are it always looks like they're in the middle of the action.
