When my work laptop died during the first hour of Vacation Bible School tonight (after I called DH for help & he said it needs a new monitor & I cursed a little to myself which is really not a good thing to do in church but I think if Jesus would have had to use a computer he would have understood) I took out a notebook and pen and drafted the following ABC list of summer craft ideas to do with the kids.
I'm not sure I'll get to all of them, but if I do it probably means there were several rainy days in a row so I'm almost hoping I don't get to try them all. But, here's the list. I'll link to the ones we do.
Animal Ruler
Bugle
Christmas in July or Chinese yo-yo
Dice
Egg men
Fingerpaint
Guitar
Harmonica
Igloo
Kaleidoscope
Lightning Bug Jar
Maracas
Nest
Opposite Book
Pinwheel
Quilt
Rubber band Ball
Suncatcher
Tie-Dye
Umbrella
Vine basket
Wax art
Xylophone
Yo-Yo
Zoo
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
R is for Reading
Our school district has a reading requirement of 10 books a year. The kids have from the time school ends in June until the following June. We finish ours over the summer. I keep a small journal of what they read, and we easily go through 100 books. When school starts I send in their reading requirement paper already filled out. Some of the teachers give the kids a small prize if they turn in completed papers during the first two weeks of school.
Ever since they've been little we read almost every night before getting ready for bed. We read kids books that are popular-Mo Willems Pigeon series; "Pinkalicous" by Victoria Kann; the Magic Tree House series and others. I've also tried to read them things outside their age range, like "Alice in Wonderland" by Lewis Carroll.
During the school year, we do the PARP (Parents As Reading Partners) calendar through the school. This year for each month the turned in a calendar they got $0.50 for the spring book fair. Both the older kids had $6.00 to spend this year on their own book. They also get a coupon each month for a Pizza Hut personal pan pizza, which we also tried to use every other month.
Through the Berks County (PA) Public Library System Summer Reading Program, we also fill in and turn in reading slips, and the kids can get prizes from the gumball machine using tokens they earn or earn tickets to trade in for larger prizes.
We also visit their school library a few times, but the past two years it's only been open mornings two days a week. Budget cuts reduced the program a lot. They used to be open five days with daily activities and a computer lab.
When we went to the shore I'd also stop at a store and buy a few new books to read there. Buying some new books kept them excited about reading.
I'll post more later on some nationwide reading programs that might give kids incentive to read.
Ever since they've been little we read almost every night before getting ready for bed. We read kids books that are popular-Mo Willems Pigeon series; "Pinkalicous" by Victoria Kann; the Magic Tree House series and others. I've also tried to read them things outside their age range, like "Alice in Wonderland" by Lewis Carroll.
During the school year, we do the PARP (Parents As Reading Partners) calendar through the school. This year for each month the turned in a calendar they got $0.50 for the spring book fair. Both the older kids had $6.00 to spend this year on their own book. They also get a coupon each month for a Pizza Hut personal pan pizza, which we also tried to use every other month.
Through the Berks County (PA) Public Library System Summer Reading Program, we also fill in and turn in reading slips, and the kids can get prizes from the gumball machine using tokens they earn or earn tickets to trade in for larger prizes.
We also visit their school library a few times, but the past two years it's only been open mornings two days a week. Budget cuts reduced the program a lot. They used to be open five days with daily activities and a computer lab.
When we went to the shore I'd also stop at a store and buy a few new books to read there. Buying some new books kept them excited about reading.
I'll post more later on some nationwide reading programs that might give kids incentive to read.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
E is for Eating Out
Kids love going out to eat! It's usually we parents who get stressed by it-the time, cost & fear they won't behave. But don't let that stop you!
Many places have a cheap lunch special that might be large enough you can share with a child, or two children can share one meal. Chinese restaurants are great for their inexpensive lunch specials (usually under $5).
Instead of buying each child their own meal, even if it is a kids' meal, buy a large adult meal and have them share. If we stop at McDonald's (usually a last-minute dinner on a night I have a meeting) I sometimes get the large nugget meal and have all three kids share. If I get them Happy Meals, we only get 1 with fries (the kids don't eat many fries) and the rest with apple slices. It's nice because if it doesn't get eaten then it's pre-packaged and they can eat it later.
Also, look for deals online. KidsMealDeals.com has a listing of restaurant chains with kids' specials. (It doesn't look like they're nationwide quite yet, but you might see a special for a local chain you can contact to see if they also offer it.)
If you look for a deal and can get a meal out cheap, it's great to take the kids out. More opportunities eating out means more practice for them to sit nice, use indoor voices and order food for themselves. If you show them the skills they need, they'll take that confidence with them in other situations.
Many places have a cheap lunch special that might be large enough you can share with a child, or two children can share one meal. Chinese restaurants are great for their inexpensive lunch specials (usually under $5).
Instead of buying each child their own meal, even if it is a kids' meal, buy a large adult meal and have them share. If we stop at McDonald's (usually a last-minute dinner on a night I have a meeting) I sometimes get the large nugget meal and have all three kids share. If I get them Happy Meals, we only get 1 with fries (the kids don't eat many fries) and the rest with apple slices. It's nice because if it doesn't get eaten then it's pre-packaged and they can eat it later.
Also, look for deals online. KidsMealDeals.com has a listing of restaurant chains with kids' specials. (It doesn't look like they're nationwide quite yet, but you might see a special for a local chain you can contact to see if they also offer it.)
If you look for a deal and can get a meal out cheap, it's great to take the kids out. More opportunities eating out means more practice for them to sit nice, use indoor voices and order food for themselves. If you show them the skills they need, they'll take that confidence with them in other situations.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
F is for Fireworks
Kids love fireworks! Ok, there are a few exceptions-like those under 2 who hate loud noises and others who get so cranks when they're up after bedtime they don't like anything.
My kids usually get to see fireworks twice a year. Once, obviously, is Independence Day. There are always fireworks shows to be found on July 4 or that weekend. The other time my kids get to see fireworks is on the final night of our local carnival.
The show isn't long-about 15 minutes. But expectations are always high. We arrive early and put our chairs and blankets at our seat, then walk to the food vendors for dinner and funnel cake. Then we sit down to eat and the kids start asking, "When are the fireworks going to start?"
Eventually the fireworks do start, and the kids "ooh" and "aah" at the prettiest ones. Then all too soon they're over and we pack up our stuff and walk back to the car and go home. The kids get to stay up about 2 hours after their normal bedtime, and they're usually agreeable to go right to bed when we get home. They're not so agreeable about waking up the next day for Sunday School, though!
Some years we get lucky, and we see an advertisement for fireworks at another carnival that we can go to. Other years it rains on July 4 and the fireworks are canceled or postponed, and we don't get to go.
But, for all the effort it takes to see fireworks (planning, packing, staying up late, fighting crowds, cranky kids the next day), it's worth it! The kids always remember seeing fireworks and love the opportunity to see them again.
If you're reluctant to go, there are ways to "fake it," which we did when the kids were little.
If you're a person who likes routine and putting the kids to bed at the same time and following the same bedtime schedule, going to see fireworks can be disruptive. But, trust me, to break the routine for one night will be something the kids will enjoy and remember.
My kids usually get to see fireworks twice a year. Once, obviously, is Independence Day. There are always fireworks shows to be found on July 4 or that weekend. The other time my kids get to see fireworks is on the final night of our local carnival.
The show isn't long-about 15 minutes. But expectations are always high. We arrive early and put our chairs and blankets at our seat, then walk to the food vendors for dinner and funnel cake. Then we sit down to eat and the kids start asking, "When are the fireworks going to start?"
Eventually the fireworks do start, and the kids "ooh" and "aah" at the prettiest ones. Then all too soon they're over and we pack up our stuff and walk back to the car and go home. The kids get to stay up about 2 hours after their normal bedtime, and they're usually agreeable to go right to bed when we get home. They're not so agreeable about waking up the next day for Sunday School, though!
Some years we get lucky, and we see an advertisement for fireworks at another carnival that we can go to. Other years it rains on July 4 and the fireworks are canceled or postponed, and we don't get to go.
But, for all the effort it takes to see fireworks (planning, packing, staying up late, fighting crowds, cranky kids the next day), it's worth it! The kids always remember seeing fireworks and love the opportunity to see them again.
If you're reluctant to go, there are ways to "fake it," which we did when the kids were little.
- First, eat at home instead of buying food out (especially good advice for babies or fussy eaters).
- Second, give the kids their baths early (which we still do), then put them in pajamas.
- Third, if it's the first year you're going to a fireworks show, scope out the area. Sometimes you can avoid paying to park by parking a few blocks away and walking. (But remember that often the parking money does benefit a local fire company or non-profit.) But if you're taking little ones in pjs, don't even try to park at the show. Look for a shopping center or other area where cars are gathering-there's a good chance you can see the fireworks from your car by parking there. We've done that a few times when the kids were little.
- Fifth, pack some snacks, drinks and blankets so you can get cozy. If you don't have a van you can open to see, take chairs to sit outside the car. Unless you can park near a grassy area, remind the kids you are in a parking lot and they need to stay with you and not run around the cars or climb around inside the car.
- Sixth, sit back and enjoy the show.
- Seventh, after the show plan on sitting awhile. There aren't parking attendants at outside lots, so it may take awhile. Put on some kids music and let them sing, or listen to a book on tape as their bedtime story. If you're lucky, the kids may even fall asleep in the car.
If you're a person who likes routine and putting the kids to bed at the same time and following the same bedtime schedule, going to see fireworks can be disruptive. But, trust me, to break the routine for one night will be something the kids will enjoy and remember.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
C is for Carnival
There are lots of summer carnivals and fairs all around the area, so it's not difficult to find one close to you. Check your local newspapers and look for posters at the grocery store.
We have a three-day carnival in our area called "Fun Days" that we go to every year. Of course the kids love the rides. The problem is that ride tickets are $1.25 each, and rides are 3 or 4 tickets. That means it costs $3.75 to ride a little roller coaster and $11.25 for all 3 kids to ride it! So I could easily spend $50 for 4 rides for 3 kids!!
What we do is go for the "ride special." They have it on a Saturday afternoon, which is probably their least busy time, but for $15 per kid they have unlimited rides for 4 hours with a wrist band. So, it might still cost me $45, but they rode non-stop for 3 hours (we got there a little late then stopped for a snack), which was about 15 rides each. The ride ticket was worth it.
I know carnival food can also be expensive. I don't have any complaints because at ours you can get a hot dog for $1.00 and a hamburger for $1.25. Bottled lemonade and iced tea (from a local dairy not a national brand) are just $1.00. I can even get a homemade waffle with ice cream for just $3.00.
When you're there, look for food and games that may be run by a local church or non-profit, which are often cheaper & just as good.
Of course, there's no harm in setting limits. Visit the carnival to walk around & enjoy the free things, like demonstrations and bands, but pick one thing the kids can do-like 1 ride, 1 game or 1 snack. They get to get out of the house, see their friends, enjoy the sights & sounds and it won't cost you a fortune.
We have a three-day carnival in our area called "Fun Days" that we go to every year. Of course the kids love the rides. The problem is that ride tickets are $1.25 each, and rides are 3 or 4 tickets. That means it costs $3.75 to ride a little roller coaster and $11.25 for all 3 kids to ride it! So I could easily spend $50 for 4 rides for 3 kids!!
What we do is go for the "ride special." They have it on a Saturday afternoon, which is probably their least busy time, but for $15 per kid they have unlimited rides for 4 hours with a wrist band. So, it might still cost me $45, but they rode non-stop for 3 hours (we got there a little late then stopped for a snack), which was about 15 rides each. The ride ticket was worth it.
I know carnival food can also be expensive. I don't have any complaints because at ours you can get a hot dog for $1.00 and a hamburger for $1.25. Bottled lemonade and iced tea (from a local dairy not a national brand) are just $1.00. I can even get a homemade waffle with ice cream for just $3.00.
When you're there, look for food and games that may be run by a local church or non-profit, which are often cheaper & just as good.
Of course, there's no harm in setting limits. Visit the carnival to walk around & enjoy the free things, like demonstrations and bands, but pick one thing the kids can do-like 1 ride, 1 game or 1 snack. They get to get out of the house, see their friends, enjoy the sights & sounds and it won't cost you a fortune.
Forget Winter
It's been warm for about three months, but how many reminders of winter are still cluttering your living space?
My kids have their own wall hooks for coats, and as of two weeks ago their winter coats were still hanging there, taking up space and making the spring coats fall down. So I washed them all and the ones that will still fit next year I hung in the coat closet and the ones that they've outgrown I gave to friends with smaller kids. (The ones I gave away were in surprisingly good shape. I think that was because last year each kid had two winter coats to wear.)
I also washed the winter hats and gloves and put them in a bag in the closet. The ones they outgrew went in The Salvation Army bag.
Just clearing away the remnants of winter helped clean the kids' space.
My kids have their own wall hooks for coats, and as of two weeks ago their winter coats were still hanging there, taking up space and making the spring coats fall down. So I washed them all and the ones that will still fit next year I hung in the coat closet and the ones that they've outgrown I gave to friends with smaller kids. (The ones I gave away were in surprisingly good shape. I think that was because last year each kid had two winter coats to wear.)
I also washed the winter hats and gloves and put them in a bag in the closet. The ones they outgrew went in The Salvation Army bag.
Just clearing away the remnants of winter helped clean the kids' space.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Start Fresh
Ending the school year sounds easy enough. The kids come home from school that last day, maybe you take some photos and take them out for lunch or make a special end-of-the-school-year snack. They stay up late that night knowing they don't have to get up early the next morning (but if you have little ones you know they still get up early anyway.)
But, is that really all you have to do?
Are the kids school backpacks laying on the floor filled with wrinkled papers their teacher made them clean out from their desk? Are there mashed packs of cheese on wheat crackers in the bottom of their bag left from school snacks they didn't eat because of end-of-year celebration parties? Maybe there's even a leaking juice box in there along with the yearbook you paid for so your child can remember friends.
Like most things, the work for the kids is done-they're home to have fun. But a mom's work doesn't end there.
This weekend I'll be posting some tips for how to clean out last year's school things before summer vacation starts so you'll be able to relax and enjoy the start of summer as much as your kids do.
But, is that really all you have to do?
Are the kids school backpacks laying on the floor filled with wrinkled papers their teacher made them clean out from their desk? Are there mashed packs of cheese on wheat crackers in the bottom of their bag left from school snacks they didn't eat because of end-of-year celebration parties? Maybe there's even a leaking juice box in there along with the yearbook you paid for so your child can remember friends.
Like most things, the work for the kids is done-they're home to have fun. But a mom's work doesn't end there.
This weekend I'll be posting some tips for how to clean out last year's school things before summer vacation starts so you'll be able to relax and enjoy the start of summer as much as your kids do.
Preparing for Summer Vacation
There are only three and a half days of school remaining, and I'm starting to prepare for summer vacation. I'm the mom of three active youngsters who would love to just sit around all day playing video games and then complain they're bored.
For almost 6 years I've been doing what I call the "ABCs of Summer" with the kids, to keep them entertained and, when they were little, to teach them their ABCs.
I start with a Word file I use to list every letter of the alphabet and ideas of what we could do for each one. As we have a free day and are looking for something to do, I open the list on the computer and, in Phineas & Ferb fashion, say, "I know what we're going to do today!"
Over the years I've also printed out letter tracing sheets for them to practice each letter; we've done crafts for each letter; we've read ABC books and books that relate to each letter (like Eric Carle's "The Grouchy Ladybug" for the letter "L".)
I love taking family photos, so I also snap a few photos of each activity. To wrap up summer I print the best photo for each activity (some letters have had more than one photo) and put them in a quick scrapbook album for the kids to look at. The album was a nice way for them to memorize their ABCs and was a souvenir of our summer vacation.
This year I decided I'd put my planning and our summer activities in a blog to share. Hope you enjoy!
For almost 6 years I've been doing what I call the "ABCs of Summer" with the kids, to keep them entertained and, when they were little, to teach them their ABCs.
I start with a Word file I use to list every letter of the alphabet and ideas of what we could do for each one. As we have a free day and are looking for something to do, I open the list on the computer and, in Phineas & Ferb fashion, say, "I know what we're going to do today!"
Over the years I've also printed out letter tracing sheets for them to practice each letter; we've done crafts for each letter; we've read ABC books and books that relate to each letter (like Eric Carle's "The Grouchy Ladybug" for the letter "L".)
I love taking family photos, so I also snap a few photos of each activity. To wrap up summer I print the best photo for each activity (some letters have had more than one photo) and put them in a quick scrapbook album for the kids to look at. The album was a nice way for them to memorize their ABCs and was a souvenir of our summer vacation.
This year I decided I'd put my planning and our summer activities in a blog to share. Hope you enjoy!
Monday, June 1, 2009
The ABCs of Summer
I love keeping busy! I always take on more than I can handle and have more projects started than I can ever finish. But, I like it that way!
So, this summer, like every summer, I want to keep the kids busy. Sure, we'll have some days where we sit in our pajamas until noon, and other days where we don't leave the house. But, they'll be notable because they're the exceptions.
Most of our days will be packed full of fun -- some will be my planning, others will be what the kids decide to do. But, planned or spontaneous, the summer will be memorable.
Ever since my oldest was a toddler, I've arranged photos of our summer memories into ABC books. It's an easy way to record our events, and a good learning tool for kids. Now that he's entering 3rd grade, he doesn't need the teaching, and neither does my daughter entering first grade. But my pre-schooler, who's still learning his ABCs does.
For reference (for readers looking for ideas and for myself capturing memories) here's my ABC list of items as I post them.
ABCs of Summer 2009
A
B
C is for "Carnival"
D
E is for "Eating Out"
F is for "Fireworks"
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R is for "Reading"
S
T is for "Treasure Hunt"
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
Do something for every letter on this list, and you'll have had a fun and memorable summer!
So, this summer, like every summer, I want to keep the kids busy. Sure, we'll have some days where we sit in our pajamas until noon, and other days where we don't leave the house. But, they'll be notable because they're the exceptions.
Most of our days will be packed full of fun -- some will be my planning, others will be what the kids decide to do. But, planned or spontaneous, the summer will be memorable.
Ever since my oldest was a toddler, I've arranged photos of our summer memories into ABC books. It's an easy way to record our events, and a good learning tool for kids. Now that he's entering 3rd grade, he doesn't need the teaching, and neither does my daughter entering first grade. But my pre-schooler, who's still learning his ABCs does.
For reference (for readers looking for ideas and for myself capturing memories) here's my ABC list of items as I post them.
ABCs of Summer 2009
A
B
C is for "Carnival"
D
E is for "Eating Out"
F is for "Fireworks"
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R is for "Reading"
S
T is for "Treasure Hunt"
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
Do something for every letter on this list, and you'll have had a fun and memorable summer!
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