My kids get out of school on Thursday. I am so ready! I am ready for a break from packing lunches, and school projects and last minute..."Oh Mom I have this massive project due tomorrow" conversations. The last few weeks of school are absolutely nutso and I have felt like a chicken running with her head cut off lately.
We have a summer packed full of things to do. Each child is taking a class of some sort to improve their talents and keep their bodies or mind active. We have tennis class and art class and swim team and dance class, plus piano lessons which happen year round. It will be lots of running to and fro, but it will also prevent lots of time in front of the TV or Wii.
I downloaded a "do it yourself summer camp" from Power of Moms that gives some great ideas of giving a bit of structure to your summer. Each day they earn points by doing things such as reading, writing (a story, starting a blog, in a journal etc), chores, practicing a skill/instrument etc. At the end of the week they can earn rewards if they have earned so many points. As a whole they can earn big rewards like bowling or going to a movie in the theatre etc. I am excited to have something that rewards them for doing these good things.
Not to mention that we will be swimming and playing with friends and learning to sew pillowcases and quilts and learning to cook and building forts, and camping and hiking and a family vacation and yes there will be some TV, movies and video games as well. I CANNOT WAIT!
People are telling me I am crazy and that I will be running to and fro too much and that I will be going crazy (already there people dontcha know?). I say bring it on! You see our last 3 summers have been less than stellar. Three years ago I had a miscarriage at the beginning of the summer and at the end of the summer I was pregnant with Drew and was high risk for another miscarriage. Two summers ago I had a preemie baby who came home from the hospital 3 days before school got out. He was on an apnea monitor and had severe reflux, we didn't go ANYWHERE, my kids watched TV and played video games constantly. It was a really bad summer. Last year my preemie was much better, but still needed two naps a day and hated the water.
This year my baby is 2 and sometimes takes 1 nap for an hour or so. He still doesn't love the water, but does much better than he used to. He is happiest when we are busy and out and about. So maybe it's crazy and we are packing too much into summer, but I cannot wait to play with my kids and watch their talents grow and develop and keep them active and healthy. There will still be lots of down time for them to play and create and be "bored".
What are you doing this summer?
5 comments:
I have to say that I am looking forward to summer, but don't feel the desire I have felt in years past for a break. Apparently the end of the school year hasn't been as busy for me this year as in years past.
We too will be staying busy. We had a busy summer last year and I enjoyed it. However this year we are more structured busy (classes, sports teams), which I am not sure I am going to enjoy as much. We will see!
It hit me recently that I have 5 summers left with my oldest until he is 18 and off to college. Sniff...I want him to have great summer memories and feel like I have failed him a bit in that regard.
I love summer with my kids so much that I cry every fall when they go back to school! Have a blast with those kids!
Hey Cheryl, if I've been part of that "you're planning too much" group, I'm sorry. After reading about your last couple summers, I say go for it and have a blast! You obviously know what you're doing and I think it's going to be great!
no you haven't been Kerri, and I haven't been offended by those who have said things to me. I'm feeling well and my kids are at good stages to have fun and be busy!
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