Big Summer Dreams

So I just completed 10 weeks of lessons and activities for the kids to do this summer.  Let me explain why I am so over the top about actually writing out all the fun stuff I want to do with the 3 kiddos...

1.  I am totally a type A person.  I  love a good schedule, like I love a good nap time...or like I love mint chocolate chip ice cream...or like I love a long shower...you get the picture...
2.  I don't know about you and your kids, but mine starting fighting right about lunch time if all they've done all day is have "free" play.  They seem to do so much better if I have some planned activities sprinkled throughout the day.  The free time goes much smoother that way.
3.  My oldest is in public school (which has done a GREAT job with him this year), but I feel all the more burden to make sure that I'm laying a solid foundation for him as far as Biblical truths, character development, and just making sure he's still challenged mentally. 
4.  Pinterest...seriously, it's been such a great tool to organize myself and find new ideas.  It's real easy for me to see a bunch a neat-o stuff that I would want to try with my little ones but then never get around to doing it.  It's easy for the same old, same old to take over my day.  So, I was like, "Not this year, baby!" 

And that's what prompted me to get extra organized about the upcoming weeks.  Now, I'm assuming most other SAHM's already have a rhythm to their day, and they already have crafts and interesting things they do with their kids.  I do too.  This just challenges me make the most of my "career" choice.  A few years back, I  decided that my mind was turning to mush.  I needed to view this season of my life as a chance to get as good at domestic stuff and child rearing as I could...yes I'm still failing in dusting, interesting meals and having the kids make their beds, but I found myself learning to sew, teaching my son to read and crafting with the kids. 

So what does my schedule look like?
I basically divided the day into morning and afternoon...genius, I know...then I decided that we would try to have playdates at least twice a week.  I made those Tues/Thurs morning although I'm realistic enough to know that will change week to week. 

Then I made Monday mornings:  Bible story or character time (we going to look at Ester, Daniel, Joy, Courage, Respect and so on).  Memory verse and a easy craft or game to tie in with the story.

Wednesday morning:  Memory verse time, library time and another easy craft relating to our Bible story

Friday morning:  Go somewhere time!  Park, Playhouse, Bounce house, Hubble creek, Feed the peacocks, the River, walking trail...you get the picture.  I'll also review the memory verse.

Then comes the afternoons...which have us doing our more involved activities...because a certain toddler will be sleeping!  Ever week is different but each afternoon I try to one of these activities:
SCIENCE: (Most of these came from different kid friendly science experiments found through Pinterest) "Dissecting" flowers, making a solar system, tornado in a jar, making "rain", making your own petri dish and so on
MATH:  About halfway through the year I started saving these math at home sheets Owen's teacher was sending home.  I plan on going though that and doing some money games I've found on pinterest. There are so many easy things to do with this subject.
SCHOOL TIME:   Practicing writing and reading.  I have some preschool and school age books they will go through.  Plus, I plan on having them write letters to relatives, do puzzles and read chapter books together.
BAKING:  Simply picked things we haven't made before and will make it together.
CRAFT:  Anything from making chalk, creating a bean mosaic, making a volcano, coloring pictures to give away at a nursing home to wrapping yarn around Popsicle sticks.  Pinterest is full of resources. 

So, my vision is not to fill the day from 8 to 3 with junk to do, but just to break the day up and to actually TRY all this fun stuff I've been reading about.  We'll have to see how reality plays out with all my grand ideas...or really other peoples' grand ideas...haha!  But, until then, I have high hopes!