Today welcomes the Summer 2011 edition of Rhythm of the Home online magazine. This edition, I have two articles included; one on welcoming backyard birds and one on peach (or nectarine!) cream pie.
This week marks the last full week of school for my girl, so I am scrambling to put those kid-free hours to the best use and organizing for the summer break. After I ditched the worry about summer camps (and signed Bella up for just a one week theater camp with her dear friend, Julia), I have been excitedly scheming about what to do this summer.
We do a lot of learning at home (don't we all? We call it "before and after-schooling during the school year) so the kids and I have been working together to come up with things we want to work on together. I had been looking around the internet at different summer activities ideas and organizers, but it was this idea, below, brought to me by my clever friend, Liz, that hit home.
As Liz had done with her daughter, I had my bug sit down and draw a summer themed picture. Then I had her choose from my mini stash of binders and dividers. Together, we came up with a list of places we want to visit this summer (locally) and activities we want to do together. I added calendars for June, July, and August, cut from a freebie calendar, to mark up with activities. I need to know we have things planned so the days feel full and fun! The binder has a pocket for the parks' activity calendar and other event flyers, as well.
And of course, this year, I am again making a summer manifesto!
- Remember that those "ish" times are just fine. ("We'll be there at 10-ish.")
- Be outside.
- Explore.
- Eat as much fresh food (straight from the garden) as possible.
- Smile lots. Giggle, too.
- Watch my kids.
- Enjoy the time together.
- Embrace laziness as well as adventure.
- Play. A lot.
Welcome, summer!
