Summer has been a much needed and anticipated break from school work. Oh to wake up and not have to make the kids get started on their math has been so refreshing. I do, however, keep them reading. We have joined three different library reading clubs as well as the clubs from retail bookstores. They are still learning, but just don’t know it! Shh!
Faith is great about reading to her younger siblings.
Besides the reading programs, we go swimming at least once a week and plan an outing with my sister and nephew once a week. It may not sound like much but it is keeping me busy.
When we are home my objective has been to teach my children to help with the cleaning. I am hoping to build strong habits this summer that will continue when we begin the next school year. This is one thing that I really let slide last year. I was doing all the house work on my own, and I just couldn’t keep up. Now, a month into the summer, I notice a huge difference. I heard my daughter tell her sister, “Don’t make smudges on the window. I just cleaned that.” They are starting to take ownership of some of these responsibilities, and we are all benefiting!
(I’ve kind of dropped the ball with the cooking lessons with my daughter this last month. I’m hoping to get back to it in July!)
Our activities are a welcome change, but I have noticed a significant decrease in my time at home, not that I’m complaining! As a result I have had to cut down on the time I’ve spent on my blogging activities. So if you are one of my bloggy friends and have noticed a decrease in my visits to your blog know that I’m spending more time out and about with my family, but I haven’t forgotten you! I do try to make as many visits as possible when I get the chance! I so, so appreciate all of your encouraging comments.
I’m linked to Works for Me Wednesday.
Frieda says
June 29, 2011 at 7:49 amThe kids taking responsibility for housework–I love it! Your pictures are great. Good looking kids and good mommy photographer: winning combination.
Mel says
June 29, 2011 at 9:09 amMy DH and I were discussing this last night. I just can’t do 100% of the housework anymore especially when I have 3-5 willing (well maybe not yet)and able hands. Glad to see it’s working out for you 🙂
Tanya says
June 29, 2011 at 9:33 amWay to go on getting the kids to help out! Your plan to start
chores in the summer and continue them into the school year
is brilliant. 🙂 We just started chores with our 3 year old. She is
responsible to be sure she cleans her room each night before
bed and feed the dog his dinner every day. Since she is goal
driven, we are paying her 50 cents a week if she does her
chores. I can’t tell you how excited she was to have an
opportunity to “earn money” just like mommy and daddy.
Katie says
June 29, 2011 at 10:41 amAwesome that your kiddos are continuing to learn. We participate in a lot of the free programs offered at our local library during the summer too!
Grumpy Grateful Mom says
June 29, 2011 at 12:31 pmLife get so busy in the summer, but fun! My daughter gets out of school this week. I can’t wait! I need to have my children help clean more too! That’s great you’ve had success. We’ve been too sporadic, but the time has come to make it happen, next week. 🙂
Rachel says
June 29, 2011 at 3:17 pmI think its great that you have the kids helping out with the house work, they sure do help with the undoing so they should help with the doing!
Nancy says
June 29, 2011 at 8:35 pmHey, I’m feeling neglected.
Just kidding — summertime should be spent doing fun things (although I can’t think of anything more fun than reading my blog.)
Enjoy the nice weather and time with the little ones. It all goes by too fast. 🙂
Gabe says
June 30, 2011 at 5:49 pmWe’re doing “Summer School” around here, it is similar to what you are doing. I’ve got a link-up going, and I’d love it if you would stop by and link up your summer plans!
http://www.gabesbabes.com/2011/06/summer-school-being-productive.html