School is out in a few short weeks and this is around the time I get my act together and try to plan out a few things that will be fun for all of us during those brief, yet long, summer days. The kids are so easy to jump in the car and go with at 9 (almost 10) and 12 (almost 20), so I want to take advantage of that as much as we can. Peter has a few bike races that will take us to some new places around the Northwest, and there will be some travel to see distant family, but I'm also putting my own small list together for here close to home. Here's what I have so far:
1. Teach both kids to cook a meal, and have them prepare a meal for the family. I haven't taught them much beyond how to make their own weekend breakfasts, but I think they are definitely ready. Plus, they will (hopefully) gain a little more understanding of what is done for them nightly.
Oh, those sweet, dear little picky eaters...
2. Take them to visit and tour the state capitol in Olympia. I remember doing things like this when I was young (I'm recalling a rather important stop by the Liberty Bell at my elementary school, I was on the news!) and I think its important to see and put these things out there for them. Plus I'd like to tour it myself.
3. A day(s) of paper crafts. I have been secretly collecting some rather rad paper crafting books from my thrift store visits and hiding them from the kids. That first boring summer day, a pad of paper and those books are coming out!
4. A day of Puppet Play. Diana's first book was a huge hit with Emma, and I'm hiding this one because I know she will lose herself in it too, and there's too much left to do to wrap up the school year.
4. Weeding for dollars. Aaaannnddd... since my kids will do almost anything for money, I'm really hoping we can get some major weeding done around our yard.
We have discovered (or rediscovered) board games big time, since our chess obsession began. I asked for Clue for mother's day (I LOVED that game when I was a kid), and I've been picking up puzzles and other board games at the thrift stores (always check to make sure the pieces are all there).
I would love to hear what you are doing over the summer with kids, anything new and unexpected??
And thanks so much for your kind comments on my stumps! : D
