Even though the last few mornings I've wanted to wear my gloves while walking my dog, summer is getting ever closer. In less than a month, we'll be past Memorial Day and school will be winding down. We'll start to operate on summer schedules.

So, over the next few weeks, I'll be posting an occasional series on preparing for summer. These steps will make the seasonal transition less stressful and let you enjoy the good weather.

So, in this first installment, here are some things you should look at doing in the next week or so:

• If you have school-age children, you need to have summer plans in place. Even if one parent stays home, you still need plans, You do not want you child sleeping until noon and spending the days in front of a screen. Instead, look for camps or story times or play groups or children's days at theatres, parks, and museums. And don't forget the value of unstructured play!
• Make plans for your summer vacation. Plot routes. Buy plane tickets. Make reservations. Save up for last-minute expenses.
• Clean your grill. You'll want to use it often this summer, so make sure that it's clean and in good working order. Buy charcoal or fill your propane tank.
• Make a list of the project you want to complete this summer, with special emphasis on things that can ONLY be done in the summer. For example, you probably don't want to paint the house in the depths of the winter. And late fall isn't the best time to run a clothesline. Keep the list short — no more than 3 or 4 projects — and as specific as possible.

And stay tuned here for additional posts in may!