Even though it's summertime and school is out, that doesn’t mean that all learning has to come to a halt. I’m a believer in summer vacation as a time to have loads of fun, loaf around a bit, and get into some unstructured learning. We grownups tend to overlook it, but all sorts of interesting things are growing and crawling around the yard to explore.

Summer is also a great time to read. I’m not talking about textbooks (unless you’re into that kind of thing). Reading with your little kids and encouraging the big ones to read, opens whole new worlds of imagination and discovery.

We read to our kids every day, and this summer my 8-year-old reads to me every day. We also participate in summer reading activities at our local library – I bet your library has programs too.

Even though she’s a good reader, I still read to my 8-year-old at bed time when she’s sleepy. Now we’re reading Shel Silverstein’s “Falling Up.” Shel Silverstein is one of my favorite authors. I think his books are a fun and imaginative way to introduce kids to poetry…and I love to read them too. What are your favorites? What do your kids love to read?

Maybe your kid is ready to work on writing and illustrating his/her own book. Why not? Maybe you’ve got a great author living under your own roof.

It’s summer time and for many of us that means vacation! You’ve probably noticed that in the last few weeks we’ve updated the USA.gov and GobiernoUSA.gov Facebook pages with several government resources related to travel and recreation, vacations and summer.

So I thought it would be a good idea, given the current economy, to share with you 5 simple tips on how to enjoy a well-deserved vacation this summer without having to spend too much money.

1. Come up with a family budget that covers transportation, lodging, food and entertainment expenses.

2. Be flexible when choosing vacation dates. This will allow you to take advantage of special offers.

3. Compare prices and reserve as soon as you can so you can benefit from special hotel and transportation deals.

4. Verify the cancellation policies before reserving or paying for your trip.

5. Consider visiting free or low-cost local, regional or national attractions such as:

• museums, such as the Smithsonian Institution Museums in Washington, DC,
• zoos,
• aquariums,
• beaches, lakes or rivers, or
• parks, and if visiting a National Park then tell your story.

So what are some other tips or ideas that can you share with us on an affordable summer getaway?

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There's a new notice on the door of my neighborhood supermarket: "Don't Leave Pets in Hot Cars." As I read the sign, I learned that it's more than a gentle reminder—apparently it's the law in my county. Even though my 40-year-old pet turtle seems to like temperatures as hot as possible, the warm weather brings hazards to many of our warm-blooded pets that we may not even think about.

Like the sign on my supermarket door advises, don't leave your pets in the car when it's hot outside. In my county, people can be charged with animal cruelty if their pets are left in a vehicle, even with the windows cracked, if the temperature is above 70 degrees (which can get much hotter in a matter of seconds). Since dogs and cats are less efficient at cooling themselves, they react to the high temperatures and humidity faster than humans.

According to the Army Medical Department, signs that your pet is having a heat injury include a bright red tongue; thick, sticky saliva; rapid panting; and weakness, dizziness, vomiting, diarrhea and shock. If your pet is overheating, you can lower its temperature by hosing it off with a garden hose or placing it in a sink or tub of cold water. Move the pet to a cool environment and contact your vet.

Another Army website reminds owners to provide shade and plenty of cool, clean water for pets staying outside, and to bring them inside during the hottest part of the day (if not simply keep them inside all day when it's especially hot). Exercise pets in the cool of the day, and be alert to hot pavement that can burn their feet.

If you take your dog to the beach, provide it with a shaded area and plenty of fresh drinking water, and rinse it off if it's been in salt water. And don't forget that pets with light-colored noses and fur can get sunburn, too.

The summer brings some other hazards to our four-legged friends, too, including cars leaking antifreeze and coolant that can taste sweet to a pet but be deadly, even in small amounts. And ticks, which carry Lyme disease, are most prevalent in the warm weather. As fellow GovGabber Colleen notes, check your pets to be sure they don't have ticks on them. Don't use human repellents that contain DEET on animals—check with a vet for the appropriate products. Lyme disease vaccines are available for dogs (my pup received the vaccine). Pueblo.gsa.gov offers information for both people and pets on the disease.

As we approach the Fourth of July, be sure to keep your pets indoors during fireworks, which can frighten them and damage their sensitive hearing.

Do you have any other tips for keeping pets safe this summer?

It's a good thing my Mom had me log all those hours watching the Frugal Gourmet as a kid. Last night's delight was a bowl of Special K and half a piece of leftover parmesan-crusted chicken. Move over, Rachel Ray.

Regardless of poor menu planning when cooking for myself, I do like to put together something a little more cohesive when gathering with friends and family.

Now that summer is here, it's time to cook-out! Few things beat being outdoors, firing up the grill, and chowing down on your summertime favorites with your crew.

When preparing meals for large groups, you do have to take special precautions. It's all too easy to undercook raw meat, or let perishable foods (like potato or macaroni salads which include mayonnaise) sit out unrefrigerated for too long.

Some tips for safe barbecuing:

• Purchase a food thermometer to be sure meat has been cooked to the proper temperature.
• Place cold food containers on ice while serving. Cover the dish when not in use.
• Be aware of any guests with food allergies. Do not use the same surfaces to cook alternate meals. For example, if a guest is allergic to shellfish, be sure their meal is prepared somewhere other than where the fish is cooked.

My favorite cookout meal? Fresh from the farm corn on the cob, chicken covered in bbq sauce, and baked potato. What's yours?

Cook safely, and get ready for seconds!

Here in D.C. it’s 75 degrees and sunny, which can mean just one thing. Soon, it will be 90 degrees and so humid I’ll need SCUBA equipment to breathe. I might not be thrilled by this prospect, but the kids in my life can’t wait. Summer for them means trips to the beach, lazy days playing pick-up football, and extended bedtimes. In another year or two, it might also mean a summer job, possibly a government job.

So, for those of you who have kids 13 and older, I've gathered together some helpful resources. The U.S. Department of Labor provides specific information for parents about the rules governing youth labor. For example, there are special rules regarding the minimum wage for young workers. There are also time restrictions. Generally, kids 14-15 can work a full 40 hour-week during non-school weeks, but only 18 hours during a school week. There are no federal time restrictions for kids over the age of 16, but you should check your state laws because some provide stricter guidelines. There are different rules for kids whose parents own their own business or farm.

Even if your kids aren’t quite old enough to have a summer job, they can begin investigating careers. Using the Web, you can find information about which industries are growing, as well as match students’ interests with possible career options.

Another terrific idea for kids during the summer is volunteer work, which can provide new skills and foster a sense of civic involvement. In addition, colleges are often impressed by applicants who volunteer their time to help others. Many government agencies have volunteer opportunities.

Do you have any creative ideas for great summer jobs?