Highlight of My Week

We've done a lot this week, but the simple things will always be my favorite. Right now there isn't much that can top a family bike ride on a cool summer evening.  

 

 

Summer Chores they Won't complain about

Kids are out of school and the weather is warm. For most mom's that means figuring out a summer schedule that balances fun, work, and relaxation and keeps the kids from saying the most irritating words possible. "I'm bored!"



 

Now don't get me wrong, I'm all for making summer fun lists and having a good time with my kids, but the first list I make every summer is their job chart. Summer gives me a chance to give my kids a little extra responsibility and teach them about the benefits of hard work and the rewards that follow, like a day at the lake or a bike ride to get ice cream.

 

Not all jobs have to be a chore though. Even though I want my kids to learn how to clean and work together as a family, I also want them to be well rounded individuals, so I add some things to the chore chart each day that are more for teaching opportunities than plain old servitude. These are a few of my favorite ideas, but don't think that we actually do all of them everyday. I'm not super mom!

 



 

#1 Practicing. Something. Anything. Plenty of kids practice the piano every day, but what about the kids that don't play an instrument? I think it is so important for kids to have that thing that they are good at. Something that gives them a little boost of self confidence. I send my two non piano playing kids outside everyday to practice shooting baskets, but your kids might like chess or even hula hooping. Find out what they want to learn and make them practice!

 





#2 Stretching. It's so important for kids to learn how to take care of their bodies and I had always focused on my kids getting enough exercise outside and eating healthy foods, but it wasn't until last summer that started having them stretch in the mornings. I can't remember how it came about, but I realized one day that not only could my son not touch his toes, but he could barely sit down with his legs stretched out in front of him. Now we sit in a circle every morning and each person has a chance to lead the others in a stretch of their choice. I usually end up picking touch the toes since it's everyone's least favorite and they try to avoid it.

#3 Dinner Night. During the school year, dinner time is so hectic because of homework and after school activities that I'm completely frazzled and in no mood for helpers in the kitchen. During the quieter summer months though, it's a perfect time to have the kids help out and learn some basics in the kitchen. That does not mean that I'm up for four helpers in the kitchen at the same time though. Assigning each of the kids a dinner night means less stress and a nice chance for one on one time. That is of course if I can manage to keep the other's out of the kitchen!

#4 Reading. To themselves or to a younger sibling. My oldest daughter likes to pretend she's a teacher reading to her young students.

#5 Play Store. This is a great activity for all kids, but especially those between 1st and 4th grade who are learning about money in school and how to make change. All you have to do is round up some small bills and change and set up a spot where you kids can take turns being the cashier. Have the other kids pick a toy they want to "buy" and watch math practice become fun.

If you have any other great ideas for fun chores, please share!

Michigan Mud Bath

Also doubles as a kiddie pool!

Ahh summer, I'm really not ready to let go of you yet! Thank you though for one last day of lake worthy weather. Next week it will be cooler and rainy, and then school starts. Fall is pushing it's way into our lives.

If school hasn't already started for you, will you have one last summer hurrah or just let it quietly slip away?

Two Things I Can't Live Without This Summer

If the last two months of pregnancy weren't hard enough, throw in record highs and you've got a recipe for one very grumpy momma. I don't handle heat well under normal circumstances, but with this miniature built in oven I've got right now I feel like the only way to top sweating is sit in a bath of ice water. That just doesn't really sound fun though. Instead I've discovered two things that make each day just a little more tolerable.

The first thing is this jersey knit skirt from Old Navy. I have this one in plum, one in dark heather gray, and one in navy blue from last year. I also have a green and white stripped one that I bought at Fossil a couple years ago.

What I love about these skirts is that they are super stretchy (a must when you are the size of an elephant) soft and comfortable (another must) and they make them for tall girls like me. I'm not kidding when I say I wear one of these skirts every single day. The other thing I love about them is that even though they are perfect maternity skirts, they aren't maternity at all, so I don't have to stick them in a box once the baby is born.

And what is my other can't live without? Well, did your mom ever make you an Orange Julius as a special treat when you were a kid? Ours did and I loved them. Somewhere along the way though I forgot about them until just recently when I was looking through my recipes. I added a few things to the basic recipe to make them more tropical than plain orange, and once the kids are in bed I get out the blender and my husband and I sit down in the basement with one of these in hand to cool off .

Start with a basic Orange Julius recipe

4 oz Frozen orange juice concentrate

3/4 C Milk (half and half if your having a bad day)

1 tsp Vanilla

1/4 C. Sugar

10-12 Ice Cubes (I use less if I am adding frozen berries)

Next toss in half a banana, some fresh or frozen berries (I usually have strawberries) a few chunks of fresh pineapple and a splash of coconut extract

Blend everything together and pretend that you are on a beach somewhere instead of sweating in your basement.