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I got the summertime blues

Saturday, May 29, 2010

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Yup, it is summer time around here. Will wore his hair BLUE (school colors) to school for the last day. And I have to say....the boy can pull off blue hair! (It is blue hairspray on his very thick locks).

I must admit that I am not a huge fan of summer. First of all, it is hot as Hades in Texas in the summer. Secondly, as much as I wish I was that Mom who plans strawberry picking, trips to the zoo, s'mores making, arts and crafts sessions, pie baking and lazy hammock days....I simply am not. My kids and I are both happiest when they have things planned (like school and camps). And this summer we do not have much planned at all.

I will take the peanuts to the pool and we will go to the library. I will play some games. But honestly after 13 summers as a stay at home Mom, I am a little tired of all the museums, waterparks, etc.. I know... I had better change my attitude and quickly. Anyone have any great summer ideas for peanuts ranging in age from 4 to 13?!

I did decide that I would cook with each child (if they want) each week. They can pick a recipe and we will make it together. Also, Kate is
yearning to learn to read. She knows almost all of her letters and their sounds. So we will work on rhyming and some beginning reading. Does anyone know of a good program? She will be 4 this week so it needs to be geared toward that age. We already do starfall sometimes.

Within the first 5 minutes of summer vacation this happened...

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I hate to be superstitious but I really did not think that was a good omen. Have a great Memorial Day Weekend! Next week is Kate's birthday and her princess tea party! Should be fun!!!

27 comments:

  1. BOB BOOKS! They're the best beginner books out there, Kate will be reading in no time. Seriously!
    I'm going to follow this post like a hawk, I don't have any ideas for summer! You and I must be cut from the same cloth because I am not looking forward to keeping everyone busy this summer! Thankfully we have a few more weeks of school :)
    Can't wait to read all the comments you get!

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  2. Bob books are great for her age.

    Also, you mentioned the library. You might check and see if they have TumbleBooks at your library. It is an on-line program that is FREE if your library has access. They will need to give you the log-in

    The child can choose to have books read aloud to them or they can read them aloud to you. They have many of the Caldecott books, classics, thousands of titles.

    One other great resource is explode the code. It is phonetically based and a workbook-style if Kate likes that. Bob Books are more "See Spot Run."

    http://www.tumblebooks.com/library/

    We also just found this site but so far it seems very good. It is FREE. Games for many ranges and ages. Your younger son may find things on there too. My 7YO son is begging to play it. We homeschool and are continuing this summer, but I am being more relaxed and allowing more computer time for *school*.

    http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/

    As for summer activities, how about service projects? I am trying to do more of this myself. May be as simple as visiting my grandfather at his nursing home on BINGO day with the kids in tow. I'll let you know how it works LOL!

    Oh and our movie theater has free movies each Tuesday. You probably already know about this but if interested you can check at Car*mike and Re*gal. They are the ones I know who have this program.

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  3. Bob books are great for her age.

    Also, you mentioned the library. You might check and see if they have TumbleBooks at your library. It is an on-line program that is FREE if your library has access. They will need to give you the log-in

    The child can choose to have books read aloud to them or they can read them aloud to you. They have many of the Caldecott books, classics, thousands of titles.

    One other great resource is explode the code. It is phonetically based and a workbook-style if Kate likes that. Bob Books are more "See Spot Run."

    http://www.tumblebooks.com/library/

    We also just found this site but so far it seems very good. It is FREE. Games for many ranges and ages. Your younger son may find things on there too. My 7YO son is begging to play it. We homeschool and are continuing this summer, but I am being more relaxed and allowing more computer time for *school*.

    http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/

    As for summer activities, how about service projects? I am trying to do more of this myself. May be as simple as visiting my grandfather at his nursing home on BINGO day with the kids in tow. I'll let you know how it works LOL!

    Oh and our movie theater has free movies each Tuesday. You probably already know about this but if interested you can check at Car*mike and Re*gal. They are the ones I know who have this program.

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  4. Wow -- he can pull off the blue hair -- how cool!!

    Good luck with summer! Enjoy the long weekend!

    Janet

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  5. I was going to say BOB books too! They are magic, really! I don't encourage my children to read before kindergarten, as I took courses in college that suggested they read better long term if they wait just a bit, but Libby was itching to read too, and BOB books taught her how. They are funny and so cute. Tiny little paperbacks that they can carry around. After 5 kids, I am with you about summer activities. One of my boys actually said to our neighbor, "My mom doesn't do parks!" He is right. I am all about backyard games. I try to buy a few target summer things, and that is it. This summer, I am going to set up a good ol' fashioned lemonade stand (only because---cute photos!) My nephew (sporting a rasta wig) mounted a cooler on a wagon, added a boombox with Jamaican music, and sold ice cream bars. He made a fortune. They have also sold home made cookies and popcorn balls. My Marshall plans to do this too, adding Diet Coke for the moms. He says if Libby comes along and holds a poster, he will make big $! Kids in our neighborhood put on mini sports camps, art camps, princess camps, etc. They charge $5 for a few hours each day, and the camps go for 5 days. They are wildly popular!!! And last summer, it seemed that their was almost a different one each week. Moms LOVE it! Just have your kids take around a flier. That's all I've got, but I will be checking bad=ck to see what others suggest too!

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  6. I love that you let him do that to his hair! Look at his smile!

    I think it's perfectly healthy to have summers like you plan!

    Waiting anxiously to hear all about Kate's birthday and princess tea party!

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  7. He can wear blue hair like no other!!

    The kids look forward to summer, but sometimes it is hard for us as Mom's to keep them happy and entertained. You can only spend so much time at the pool!!

    Hope Kate has a great princess tea party:)

    Lisa

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  8. Too funny! All of our mommy-minds must be in the same place! I actually emailed Stefanie and asked her to please ask her bloggy friends about fun summer activities! So glad she told me to check over here!

    I'll be watching and taking notes!

    LOVE the blue hair! :)

    BOB books really are great! Brinley just couldn't seem to 'get it' so we bought some of the reprinted Dick & Jane books and something clicked! She loves reading now and will read everything she can get her hands on from the cereal box in the morning to the ingredients in her shampoo when she is taking a bath.

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  9. you are already a better mom than i because i'm sitting here wondering where oh where are you going to allow him to wash all that blue out?

    i have to tell you something funny about emails but i'll do it later...running out the door.

    i'm sorta with you on summer.
    its hard for me to too long before the no routine & constantly messed up home starts to bug me. that & the heat in atlanta. i'm certain if i lived in seaside all would be right with the world...nonroutine & messy home too
    xo

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  10. My suggestion for encouraging early readers would be the LeapFrog videos Letter Factory and Word Factory. They worked AMAZINGLY well with my kiddos. And I would absolutely encourage early reading. It opens up the world to your children!! :)

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  11. I get what your saying about museums and water parks. But, what you do have planned sounds lovely. can't wait, can't wait, for the birthday Kate pictures!

    Lea
    xo

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  12. Summertime... sigh... after 11 years my perkiness for perfect summer planning is sagging... sigh... Luckily, we live near the beach, a fabulous lake with a water park and have access to such great things. I have lots of friends in the area and I find that if we can plan things together as a group, the kids are happier and so am I! We take advantage of one Movie Theater's $6 Tuesday Matinee, and a local bowling alley has a similar deal. Yes, we do pick strawberries, peaches and the like and then come back and cook with our fresh picks. We can take the ferry to Long Island (about an hour and a half each way) and the kids just love that. For us it helps to think out of the box. Like you we have a significant age spread, and sometimes this can complicate things. The little ones are happy to follow the elders around, but the same can not be said of the older sibs! When we have too many nice days in a row, I will declare a SUN-DAY and we stay inside in our PJs all day. We treat it like a rainy or snowy day.

    This year we'll visit the Botanical Garden and the children will be equipped with cameras. The following day the children will paint from their photography.

    We'll visit a bee farm, paint some pottery and try to visit some local tourist attractions that we haven't seen in a while.

    Good luck. I can't wait so see what others will be doing. I need some inspiration!

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  13. I must be a boring Mom cause I never did all that stuff in the summer with my kids..LOL. but it would be fun... now the kids are working so I don't have to think of ideas to keep them busy..lOL.
    You will do amazing things and they will have fun..
    Have a great Memorial Weekend..
    Hugs..
    Love ya..

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  14. you make me laugh. i just had to comment before i can think of any ideas. i love your candor :) I am really trying to "get my game face on" for summer!! i'll be back if I come up with some clever ideas ;) if not, i'll be back to lurk!

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  15. I will add my vote for BOB books! Lia has been working her way through a set this spring and is SO excited! (and her Dad and I are too...each time we see a new one in her backpack to share with us!).

    I hope this summer is a fun filled time for all of you and you enjoy the time together. I know you will make it a special time!

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  16. Boy Will CAN PULL OFF bLUE SO CUTE!!

    NO DOUBT IN MY MIND YOUR SUMMER WILL BE TERRIFIC

    FROM YOUR BLOGS YOU ARE A GREAT MOM

    I HEAR BOB BOOKS ARE GREAT!

    ANXIOUS TO HEAR ABOOUT THE PRICESS KATE'S PARTY

    ARE YOU GOING TO THE BEACH THIS SUMMER THEY LOVED THAT LAST SUMMER??

    AGAIN NO DOUBT YOUR SUMMER WILL BE GREAT

    WE HAVE A READING PROGRAM HERE I PLAN ON GETTING MY 8 YEAR OLD NEPHEW IN HE LOVES TO READ!

    THE COOKING SOUNDS GREAT TOO
    SEE YOU ARE ALREADY VERY CREATIVE

    HUGS CINDY

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  17. Now that's getting into the school spirit. Will is rockin' that blue hair.

    For summer, one thing we're going to do is a Book Club for Jake. On days when it's too hot or rainy to play outside, he can read. We'll have different rewards (i.e. if you read 10 books this summer you get x, read 20 books this summer you get something a little better, etc.). Other than that, I'm looking for ideas too. There's only so many places you can go and so many crafts you can do. I like how you're going to cook with each child -- great idea.

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  18. BOB books are great. Those very very early reader books at the teacher resource stores are colorful and a good supplement. It was easier to keep my children busy during the summer when they were younger and more similar interests. When we were home, I would always insist on quiet time for an hour. Everyone, including me, spent time in their rooms. Sometmes they would doze off or read.

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  19. Don't feel bad about not having any outings planned! If Texas is anything like Georgia, then it's soon going to be too hot to even consider leaving the house or turning on the oven! Have a great summer!

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  20. You will laugh, but the old Dick and Jane books are very simple and good for phonics. Also, she will love the "old timey" pictures. My dyslexic son actually likes them! Also, the other suggestions people commented on are very good too.

    Our June is VERY busy with three trips to the beach (one we are on now!), then camp for Jackson and a mission trip for Sumter. We will have a week in the mountains over the Fourth of July... then golf a few days a week over the next five weeks. I am so with you, Kim. I need my kids to be busy! So, what am I to do those other days? LOL

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  21. Oh my goodness....I hope all that blue came out....as for summer....I plan to put them all in tennis lessons at the club and possibly a little hip hop camp for Sophia as well....play dates....lots and lots of platdates....oh and all 3 are getting private swimming lessons....oh they MUST learn to swim.....arts and crafts for Sophia and lots of frozen maragarita's for in the evening for me! lol It is just finally, maybe, possibly getting nice here in MI so I truly live for this time of year. I hope to take the kids on individual photo shoots too so I can get my creative outlet as well. A Mother's job is never done is it? Oh...and another goal for me.....to get the rest I need to be able to make it through each day. ;)

    Hope you are feeling better....
    Hugs,
    Steffie

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  22. LOL love the blue hair...we did blue hair and one time Chris accidentally used semi permanent...one week before "Homecoming" ROTFL...he is blonde so it still had a blue tint to it for the dance...I suggested a nice tie to compliment the hair but he didn't fine me to be very funny LOL
    We are BOB book fans!!! Also the step 1 books are great....Addison loves the Fancy Nancy ones. We have several programs on the Ipad I can get you the names if you'd like.
    My summer suggestion...just drink a few glasses of wine...I'm on my 27th summer as a stay at home mom...not a whole lot has changed over the past 27 years. : )

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  23. Wow! The Bob books look like a hit with everyone! I agree with the Leap Frog videos, too. Once my kids know all the letters and sounds, we use Phonics Pathways to work on putting letters together. Once they "get" putting 3 letters together, we do Bob books and some other similar books by Nora Gaydos.

    Last summer my Hubs came home one evening with the bright idea for an impromptu water balloon fight after dinner. My kids LOVED it, and it was even more special because it was on just a plain, ordinary day.

    Hope you have a great summer!

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  24. We are doing a reading club through our library and we check movies out from the library as well. We will also do the "Cheap Movie Wednesday’s”. We will also be taking a swimming class, going to the beach, and hitting the pool, as well as, painting pottery at a local pottery store where you pay one price for the piece, supplies, and firing. We spend one morning a week (Tuesday at our house) cleaning and organizing. This helps us get things paired down before the parade of birthdays, winter clothes, and Christmas gifts start marching into our house. I like Leslie's idea of service work as well we have a soup kitchen in our area and we may go help out one day. We are also growing a vegetable garden this year so we will have some canning and freezing to do in a few weeks. We also uncovered some How to Draw (Dogs, Flowers, Farm Animals, ect.) books I had as a child and we have spent some time trying our hand at that. My kids have to stay busy or they will eat me out of house and home and make a mess of the place. Plus I go a little stir crazy if I don’t get out and breathe some fresh air once in awhile!

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  25. I'm right there with ya friend!! Ugh...

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  26. I love summer. Love it. I've been counting the days until the girls are done with school. Seriously. Tomorrow is their last day and they're sad. I'm ecstatic.

    Maybe when I have a few more years of a kid-filled summers under my belt I won't be so excited about summer's arrival but for now I still am.

    One of the things we're doing is making a list of all the things we'd like to do this summer and then cutting the list into strips so we can pick one thing out of the jar each day. We were working on the list today and the girls suggested: swimming, riding the double-decker bus downtown, going to the beach, baking cookies . . . It will be fun to see what else they come up with.

    Some other summer things we like . . Our local movie theater runs kid's movies for $1 every Wednesday. The girls have swim lessons. I usually try to find a "summer version" of something the girls might enjoy learning but that we haven't had time for during the year. Last summer they took six weeks of Irish dance, which they loved. We eat lunch and dinner outside as often as possible and even though it's summer I try to still keep some level of a schedule.

    We're also traveling a lot this summer, which always make my heart sing!

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  27. Hi Kim! Katie loves the Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read sets. I got mine at Target in the Kid's book section. There are a variety of activities to do with her one on one and on their website with letter and phonics games to reinforce.

    I also learned this year from another teacher that if your children watch any TV at all to turn on the subtitles. Something in their little brains clicks when they start seeing the words in print that are being spoken. We use print rich classrooms in our preschool as well labeling everything that the kids come into contact with. It's amazing how quickly they start to learn the words of things by sight after seeing them in print all year.

    At the library look for rhyming books too. Those are great to start out young readers with. I personally like Scholastics sight word readers as well.

    Hope you guys have a great summer! Love Will's blue hair. I swear he is one of the most handsome young men I have ever seen!
    Blessings!
    Kim

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