Summer List

 

We are very excited around here because IT'S SUMMER!  (well almost)  Our calendar is full from June until August.  I thought I would share some ideas that we do over the summer.  Other than

Tennis Camp
Dance Camp
Church Camp
Swimming
Carowinds

I have my kids do a CHARACTER chart. This gives them ideas of things to do.  If so many squares are completed then they receive prizes.   So the squares have labels - reading, history, math, journal, letter writing, service, fun and games, bible and adventure.  I fill in each square with different things.  There are 54 squares on the chart. 

 

Some of the things include

memorize verses

cook supper

bake bread

research flag day

read different genres of literature

vision board

star gazing

cloud watching

play card games

play board games

build a fort

baked cookies and give away

sprinkler

scavenger hunt

bowling

several you name its

water balloon fight

paint a pet rock

work on skills from reading and math

journal on vacation

read to brother or sister

I like when my kids have some directions and ideas of things that are using their imaginations.  It seems that motivation to earn a prize by completing squares are the motivation to not have our days wasted when we come to August.

Beach Days

Photos from the week at the beach

Too much fun

We have been at the beach for this Memorial Day Weekend. The kids and I came on Wednesday. Jeff and Gabby came on Friday after work. It has been a great few days. Things I have learned about my crew. * They love the beach * sitting in the sand is no big deal * they enjoy each other * they have been very accommodating to each other (some like the pool more than others) * our 13yo is becoming a great young man ( the role he takes on when his dad is not around) * we love ice cream * sunscreen is not there favorite thing to do * we turn a little pink * We stay in the beach ALL day * digging big holes and covering each other up is great fun * sleeping in the same room brings late night with big giggles * they even like to shop * the inlet is a great spot to catch minnows * we all pitch in to help * body surfing and boogie boarding is too much fun * meeting new friends to play with. Ella has made several friends * rain on the beach brings huddle time We have done some great vacations but coming to the beach is a great time, young or old. Everyone has something to do. (sorry no pictures-an iPad and android phones do not communicate well. Haa! All the pictures are on my phone)

GWL

The Great Wolf Lodge is a great place.

We were able to go again on Tuesday with the Medlocks and the Helms.

We had a ball.

We had a picnic in the parking lot. 

 All the kiddos.  I have 3, the Medlocks have 4 and the Helms have 2 so a total of 9 kids for 3 families.

We left to eat supper.  After eating supper the little one wanted to come back for bedtime storytime.

 Marissa, Mason, and Ella

Storytime with Wolfie

We left at 8:30 that night.  We made a full day of fun.

SATURDAY HAPPENINGS

As I was with Garrett at the Lacrosse game, Jeff was with Seth at TKD.  He was testing for the high green belt

 

Congratulations Seth

SATURDAY HAPPENINGS

Garrett had his last lacrosse game Saturday.  He is #60.

I really think he liked lacrosse but he was really ready for the season to be over because that means HOCKEY - time to skate.

After the game, we went to Longhorn Steakhouse.  This is a new restaurant in our area. 

 We celebrated our Mother's Day with Meme.

After eating, we finally planted our little garden. 

 Garrett decided that he needed something other than grass to shoot pucks on outside.  Well this is his idea of ice.

I guess it worked until Jeff tried it out - Not so good.

Garrett wants me to buy him synthetic ice for the yard.

Not sure that will happen.

HAIRCUTS for Summer

So I got ready to take a sweet picture of the boys new haircuts.  This is what happens

 Better boys - thanks

 Then Seth decides he doesn't want an individual shot.

 Well okay, maybe

 Garrett trying to sneak by without his picture being taken. 

My goodness you would think I'm taking pictures of toddlers or something.

Well short haircuts for summer.  Thank you.  I like short hair for my boys.  We will see how long this last.

Great Wolf Lodge

 We are so fortunate to live close to the Great Wolf Lodge.  For one month, they partnered with Big Bothers, Big Sisters to offer the Big Splash.  Tickets were being sold for day passes.  

So we tagged up with our cousins and spent the day.  Too fun.  Ella had been before but too little to remember what this place is all about and how fun.

 This slide is a racing slide.  4 people on mats take off to see who comes in first. 

 Seth and Cooper in the wave pool.  This was Ella's favorite spot. 

The huge tree house that pours water.  

This was a fun day.  Tired but fun.  I had one asleep not long after we left. 

Just Worship II

Sunday night was the children's performance of Just Worship II.  What an incredible night of worship.  

This is Ella with all the preschool buddies waiting to sing.

 Seth was in the choir loft.  He is the second row from the top - right next to the cross.

 Each child wore a ribbon to honor a senior who should have been singing with the big group but passed about in March after begin hit by a car.  So special.

 Ella was asked to do a video.  This is the video of her on the big screen.

 Ella singing away. 

Mallory came to see Ella and Seth.  This was at the reception after the singing.  

Sing unto the Lord a new song.

Puddles

This  afternoon we had a rain shower.  Ella was ready to run and play in the puddles that form in the cul-de-sac in our neighborhood.

 I love this picture.  You can see her feet running but the reflection in the water is priceless.

This picture is the same way.  

One, Two, Three jump

Take 1

Take 2

Take 3 - We did it

There is no greater joy than running through puddles.