Today my firstborn child graduated from the second grade. As is tradition, the family congregated down at Wasatch Elementary to watch the end-of-school dance celebration. Keep in mind that the Glediator went to Wasatch and these dances haven't changed in more than twenty years. Jackson did a flawless routine to "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" and made his momma all kinds of proud.
Now, the question remains: WHAT IN TARNATION AM I GOING TO DO THIS SUMMER????
I wish I were the funnest mom in the world, overflowing with fanaticism over child development. I know some moms who are beautifully gifted at that. But let's be honest: I have anxiety about my kids being home 24/7 this summer. And while in the past I have been envious and have wondered what might be wrong with me, I have finally come to terms with the fact that I have different strengths. So, to all you moms out there with brilliant ideas on how to pass the time with your kids at home for the next few months, I invite you to bring your good wisdom to the table that we might sup together. May your summer be filled with lemonade stands, slip 'n slides, sidewalk chalk, and meltdown-free road trips. Godspeed.
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uh, yah. I'm in the same catagory as you...I'm not one of those super fun moms. Oh, I read once that Sis. Hinkley loved having her kids home each summer- she felt that they were hers all summer long. Good grief I felt like a clod mother when I read that.
ReplyDeleteWill look forward to reading the comments on this one so I too can get some ideas!
I'm glad I'm not the only one, Heather!
ReplyDeleteSummer School baby!! 9-12 M-th right at Wasatch. They do a bunch of fun stuff and it gives your kids something to do for a few hours during the month of June. It's just June 1st to the 30th, and it's only 3 hours a day. So they have fun, but aren't overwhelmed by going to school still. OR, there are awesome classes at the Library for Science and Crafts. They are only like $2.50 per class. My boys love it. All of these are fairly cheap and don't require Mom's involvement. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm in no way claiming the title of 'fun mom', but to make the summers fun for my kiddos, I make up a chart called the ABC's of Summer. Each letter stands for something fun that the kids can do that day. Some examples are: L is for library. Go to the library today and pick out a book to read. When you are finished, turn it back in to me for a treat!
ReplyDeleteK is for kite. Make a kite and try to fly it! T is for toys. Go through your toys and make a pile of the ones you don't want anymore- give them to DI or have a little garage sell. K is for KING FOR THE DAY. You get to choose what we do today! (Or King For The Day has been the day that they get to go to work with their dad and he takes them out to lunch- they LOVE that!). Anyway, you get the idea. You can follow them in order, cut them up and draw them out of a bag each day, or it can just be a surprise and you tell them what letter of the day it is when they wake up. You can eat foods that start with that letter, dress in a color that starts with that letter, go to a place that starts with that letter etc. My kids look forward to this each year! Have fun!
I just posted my whole list of ABC's on my blog. Maybe it will help spark some ideas for you....http://melde5.blogspot.com/.
ReplyDeleteHappy Summer to you!
end of year dance? HOW FUN! I teach second grade and we don't have anything cute like that! We also still have one more week of school... so send the little one my way and I'll keep him busy :)
ReplyDeleteMindy, come and go swimming with us in our infrequently used neighborhood pool--I'm serious!
ReplyDeleteToday the boys had a snow-cone stand and it was a hit. I think we are going to get serious about the Snow Cone Biz this summer.
ReplyDeleteBecky, the ABC's of summer is a great idea. Thank you!
Hailey, we are all about going to the pool with you guys. Let's do it!
I definitely wasn't the super fun mom, but library, swimming and some occasional classes sure helped. As they got older sports camps, science camps, music camps and dance camps were also very helpful!
ReplyDeleteThe snow cone stand sounds fun! I think we will be doing a lemonade stand this year!
Debbie Nowland
Oh my, honey this post is so me! ANXIETY is right! Is it bad I do a celebration dance come September and they are back in school?
ReplyDeleteI am glad I am not the only one!
Camille, I think we have a lot in common!
ReplyDeleteI'm with you, Mindy, by the end of the day I'm worn out, and the sun makes me just a leetle more tired! Luckily, mine are young enough that a blow up pool in the backyard works just fine. That's not really helpful, is it!
ReplyDeleteXOXO
Brooke
Does Wasatch do free school lunch in the summer? My old elementary Franklin did, so my mom would walk with us all down to the school to eat free lunch and burn off some energy on the playground.
ReplyDeleteOther than that, I think you got it about right with the sidewalk chalk, games and snow cone stands - maybe make a routine habit of it, like every monday or something? That way they have something to look forward to, and you have something to help keep them in line with: "be good or we won't be able to do the snow cone stand".
Your boys are so cute Mindy! Have a great summer!
Congrats Jackson! Your uncle graduated 2nd grade from Wasatch too. (:
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