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.

Look at this photo. Kids on a school or camp outing in search of fun and knowledge. Adorable, right? I remember how excited I was when one of my parents would chaperone a trip. I was so proud of them. I felt like I was holding hands with a movie star. And because of that, when my daughter asked me -- OK, begged me and repeatedly continued to beg me even when I shamefully tried to get out of it -- I went. Here's why I don't want to do it 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?

It’s hot outside, the kids are out of school, and what do you do now? If you are anything like me, you were super excited for your kids to be off for summer break. That is until you realized that meant that your kids were going to be home every day for the next three months, asking you constantly, “Can we go to the pool?” Declaring over and over again, “I’m bored!”

I’ve found myself racking my brain to compile list upon list of things to do to fill our days and pass the time. My mission is to find something fun for my kids to do that keeps them outside, active, and not bored. Then I remembered a favorite activity of mine when I was a child: water balloon fights.

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?

Flying with kids -- just hearing those words gives parents anxiety, and any passenger on the plane with you would cringe. An airplane is an enclosed space. You are essentially trapped high in the sky in a tube counting down the minutes until you land while hoping the turbulence or air pressure doesn't make your kid vomit on the person next to you or scream the whole time. It happens though. And it's one of our biggest fears as parents. It's why so many people choose short (or cross-country) minivan trips with the family.

But it doesn't have to be so dreadful. Perhaps if we identify the problems, we can solve them. Maybe. Here are the 7 biggest complaints airline passengers have about your kids and how to make it all better. Or at least more tolerable.

When it comes to vacations, the beach is bliss for plenty of reasons. The sand, the sun, the endless waves that entertain kids for hours. But even more so than anything else, the beach is best for pictures.

When I look back through pictures of my kids, it's those of them on the beach that are some of my most favorite. With the blue background, sand for miles, and carefree, boundless room to roam, the photo opportunities are endless.

It's easy to get caught up in the relaxation and forget to capture the moments though. And before you know it, your fun in  the sun is just a distant memory. So next time you're at the beach, venture out of your lounge chair long enough to try and snap a few of these 10 awesome pictures of your kids at the beach. You'll be glad you did.

What are your favorite pictures you've taken at the beach?

Image via Mike Baird/Flickr

Here's a fun summer story that's nothing but sweet. In Brimfield, Ohio, a genius police chief has come up with a cool way to encourage kids to wear their bicycle helmets.

He has instructed his officers to give out tickets -- and lots of them. He's encouraging the profiling of children, and is on a mission to make sure kids stay safe. He issued the mandate via the police department's Facebook page.