Summer Fun - It's that time of year!

 It's that time of year!  It is Sweet Summertime! 

Josh and Nate finished up school a few weeks ago and our friends finished up school last week.  So, after letting every enjoy a break from school with a free week it's time for some summer fun.  As the kids all get older, I plan less.  This is for a few reasons.  One, they can self entertain a lot better now then when they were 2, 4, 5, and 6!  Two, I want a break too and if I plan too much I spend most of my summer prepping and planning just like during school!  Three, the kids like time to do their own stuff (like watch TV and play video games, truth be told!) Despite that, I do still like to have some sort of plan/schedule so that we don't get to August and wonder what in the world we did all summer!   Last week, we signed up for the Library Program, signed up for "Kids bowl free" (we usually go about . . .once!!), and I planned out a few things for the coming weeks. Also, each day there is "no electronics" time -- we did this last year and it seemed to help on a couple of levels.  It stopped some of the arguing that tends to happen when you are together every day and it gets everyone outside or doing something new. 

What will our week look like on a normal basis?  Let me tell you (I know, you are thrilled!)  

Mondays - I like to call this my recovery day.  It's recovery from the weekend - clean up all the stray piles, get laundry going, and do any final planning for the week.  The kids get to enjoy their own stuff. 

Tuesday/Wednesday - These are the two days I'll try to have something planned.  One day an at home activity in the afternoon and one day we will try to hit a park, a splash pad, a beach, or some other fun but cheap (HA!) activity.  Unless it is an all day activity - I usually try to do the activity in the mid/late morning before the day gets hot and busy (mornings tend to be less busy at parks/splash pads!) We will also get to have a few treats out like ice cream, donuts, or lunch at Pizza Hut. 

Thursday - This is our Library Program Day.  This is also my grocery shopping day :-) 

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Friday - Free Day!  I love Friday Free Day!  On Friday's the kids are "free" to play all day (meaning there isn't even "no electronics" time!).  No planning and normally no plans.  For me, this lets me wrap up things from the week, put stuff away, and get ready for the weekend.  (and hopefully work on my scrapbooking goals!) 

What happens during "no electronics" time?  In the morning, there will be a 30 minute electronic break and during that time everyone has to go outside.  (hopefully before the day heats up too much!).  Yes, there will be complaining but usually once everyone gets outside they fill the 30 minutes with a walk, the trampoline or tossing a ball.  In the afternoon, there will be a 60 minute electronic break.  The first 20 minutes will be for reading each day.  The last 40 minutes will either by an activity I have planned (on Tuesday or Wednesday) or they will have to find something to do.  So, really, that 1 1/2 hours gets filled up pretty fast.  

There's the introduction to our summer!  I'll normally post a recap of our week on Mondays (just like this post is showing up on a Monday!).  I joked with my friend who's kids hang with us all summer that my plan goes well until after 4th of July when summer is HOT HOT HOT! and then we just all lay around and stay cool LOL  This year, July is our "busy month" with, well, the Holiday, Josh and Nate have a day camp and my brother and sister-in-law are coming to visit.  Maybe that will get us through the July slump!