Oklahoma City family fun centers around family traditions and memories.
Memorial Day is summer's unofficial start and this weekend is already full of possibilities. Today is the last day of school for most students and family life without the same familiar drop-off/pick-up routine begins for family.
The end of this school year feels different. My kindergartner will change schools in the fall and my fifth grader is going to middle school too. The toddler will attend preschool, with more hours out of the house than ever. Nostalgia floats in the air as I look at it all with a new baby in my lap and wonder if these will be the times we reflect on later, if they'll come home for the long weekend years from now.
I suppose that depends in part how well adolescence goes, what they're doing later. So many question marks. 
What I know for sure is this: we only have right now. So as we celebrate family members and community heroes this weekend, it's our time.
If you're thinking it's too late to make weekend plans, don't worry! Click here for our Memorial Day Weekend Fun Guide.
Here are three events for this weekend that work for multiple ages and diverse interests:
National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum's Chuck Wagon Festival: Our plan for tomorrow morning is to head out and see this year's Chuck Wagon Festival. It starts at 10 a.m. Get three reasons to attend and three tips for once you're there. The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum is one of my sons' favorite venues because their events are obviously planned with kids in mind. Snacks and hands-on activities are always part of the fun there so I can't wait to see what this annual festival is like in person after reading all about this year's festivities. The festival isn't just one-day only; it's also happening on Sunday so there's plenty of time to take in more than one event. The fact that this option is rain or shine is also a plus given the forecast.
Paseo Arts Festival: This weekend-long celebration is also happening on Monday. Weekend hours to see art are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and the festival closes on Monday at 5 p.m. Walking in that area is always fun but going during the outdoor exhibition is worth doing because there are food trucks and activities for kids. You can also pop in and see art shops and vintage clothes with your children, often with the artists on-hand to talk about what they do and how, which allows kids to ask questions. We always eat at Picasso Cafe on this weekend, which I look forward to every year. The menu is kid-friendly and my older two usually share a plate of eggs benedict for an easy brunch.
Pelican Bay's season opening: My middle son is 6 and all he wants this summer is to ride the tall water slide at Pelican Bay Aquatic Center in Edmond. We'll find out this weekend if he's tall enough. Summer's beginning feels like it's here when we're splashing together in the water.
Summer starts after today for families. Get one activity for each day and exclusive coupons for local things to do. Summer Guides, from Vacation Bible Schools and day camps to volunteer opportunities and where to find the flavors of summer, can all be found here.
Enjoy your holiday weekend. We'll be out of the house, seeing all that our veterans protect and our children will learn to appreciate, I hope, as they look back on fun times together.
