As we all know, mommy guilt peaks in June (it's true!). Now that it's once again that end-of-school / start-of-summer time, I once again find myself panicking over everything I have to get done (and everything I'm falling behind on). But before I spiral into a stressed out puddle of guilt, I decided to make a list of all the things I've done right so far this June. After all, what better antidote to self-inflicted mommy guilt than to pat ourselves on our own overwhelmed backs?

I forgot about the Flag Day assembly so Isabella was, like, the only kid out of 200 not wearing red, white OR blue; I missed out on my last chance to volunteer in her school library EVER; and my house is a mess ... BUT!!!! I've done all of the following 15 things this month, and it's only half over. If they sound trivial to you as you read them, my response is:

Of course photographs are essential when you're trying to document a moment in time. I certainly take a lot more than I print out, so just making the effort to have hard copies of my digital repertoire is a great start. What makes a scrapbook even more special, though, is including actual objects that you can hold and smell. Those are key for transporting you back to the beach, the grass, grandma's kitchen table with her berry pie ... all the things that signify summer for your family. Here are some suggestions for what you can save along the way to capture the season -- until it comes around again.

This summer is going to be our family's best yet. How do I know? Because we've decided it's going to be. And no, we don't have any big trips to Disneyland planned or a 10-day cruise booked. In fact, we have very little planned -- except that we've all talked and we're all hell bent on making the most of summer's simple, most wonderful gifts. Of course, that means my husband and I have to let loose a little and do some things a little outside our comfort zones -- like maybe wear bathing suits in public! -- in order to get out there and show our boys everything summer has to offer.

Summer only comes but once a year, so go for it this year ... really go for it! To get you started, here are 20 of the key wonders your kids should experience for one incredible summer.

What summer joy did you love most as a child?

On any given summer afternoon, you really can't go wrong with packing up a picnic basket, heading to the park or beach, and enjoying a lazy day with the family. Who doesn't love indulging in a little quality time while savoring all sorts of delicious treats (and maybe even a little vino if the mood should strike you?).

But while there's definitely nothing wrong with the typical picnic we all know and love -- complete with a Frisbee, sandwiches and potato salad, and a blanket -- why not impress everyone by kicking things up a notch and getting a little bit creative?

If we're lucky, summertime means picnics, sitting by water, perhaps hiking through the woods. And with all that time spent in nature comes, well, nature! That includes some up close and personal interaction with our insect friends -- the ones most of us prefer to ignore, swat away, and/or avoid as much as possible.

Occasionally, though, stuff happens. Like you might actually swallow an ant or a gnat or a pesky mosquito. 

First of all, don't freak out. Aside from feeling kinda gross, swallowing a bug is generally not harmful. Here's why:

Summer is great and all, but you know what's a real pain in the butt? Having to put sunscreen on our kids every morning. If yours are anything like mine -- they act like having it applied is a mild form of torture. But as much of a hassle as it is to add lubing up our kiddos into our morning routines, and as much as they moan and gripe about it -- we have to do it.

Actually, forget limiting it to summer -- no matter what time of year it is, if your kid is going to be outside, he needs to wear sunscreen. (Yes, even in winter. And on cloudy days. The sun is a sneaky little sucker.)

Because it's nothing short of irresponsible to send your child off into the sun's damaging rays if he's not protected. I mean, what kind of mom are you if your kid comes home from school or camp looking like a lobster -- all because you couldn't take the extra five minutes to put sunscreen on him?

Like every other kid across the country, my 7-year-old son is counting down the days until school lets out for the summer. (Yes, we're still in session up here in the boonies of Connecticut.)

And his elation isn't necessarily due to the fact that first grade is almost over, it's because it means it's finally time for him to go back to summer camp -- his favorite thing in the whole world. This will be his fourth year attending the same day camp he's been to in past summers, but for one week in July, I'm also putting him in a specialty camp where he'll learn all about marine life -- his second favorite thing in the whole world.

And earlier today, I received an email with the itinerary for this particular camp, and I've been in a semi-major state of panic ever since. Deep breaths -- the kids will be taking a couple of field trips, one of which is about an hour away.

Summertime and the travelin' is easy ... Well, OK, maybe it's not always easy when you've got kids involved, but it CAN always be fun! And just because it's fun doesn't mean it can't be educational too.

Here are 5 awesome destinations where EVERYONE is guaranteed to not just learn something, but to have a blast. Honest!