But, I am also, as always, nervous about having all the kids home with me all day long. I value my free time; perhaps a bit too much. One thing I have noticed about my kids for sure, is that if there is no structure, we've already lost the game. In other words, I have to have rules, routines, and preplanned fun things for them to do, or we are going to get behind on the housework, and I will be sitting in a home with fighting, disobedient children, simply trying to make them listen. I cannot live like that for the whole summer.
So, we have instituted for the kids age appropriate A.M. and P.M chores, as well as assigned each day of the week a theme. Monday is outing day. I hope to take the kids somewhere fun every Monday. My ideas include: the zoo, Ross park, Brooklyn's Playground, Cherry Springs, Idaho Falls to the Japanese garden and to see the falls, etc.
Tuesday is school day. I have bookmarked different homeschooling websites and those that offer free printables. If YOU homeschool, or know of any good printables for elementary aged kids, let me know! I have to redo Kindergarten at home for Ben over the summer. Bless her heart, his teacher tried, but with the wonky schedule for K here, Ben simply did not progress at the pace I feel he was capable of. So, we'll be working on handwriting, reading, and spelling mainly. Angelice is not real confident about her abilities in math, so at least for the first part of the summer, we'll be working on her multiplication facts. Jake simply needs enriching so he doesn't get bored. I plan on focusing on science since he's interested in it, and American History because the boy is almost 13 and has yet to have that subject taught to him in any challenging or important ways. He also needs to keep up on his Cello, so as soon as I can afford it, I am planning to buy him a couple of method and theory books he can practice with. Also, I am going to be teaching Holly some basics, like how to hold a pencil, how to identify letters and numbers, as well as teaching her some songs and nursery rhymes.
Wednesday is Art day. I am also combing Pinterest for fun, easy, inexpensive arts and crafts projects to keep my kids busy on Wednesdays.
Thursday is Library day. I checked out the library schedule and there are a few fun things already planned for me to take the kids to, and of course they all love books!
Friday is clean the house day. In addition to their regular morning and evening chores, the kids will be expected to take larger projects on Fridays. I am going to buy some wooden clothes pins, write the weekly chores on them in Sharpie, put them in a hat, and have them choose two pins to accomplish that day. They'll be pinned to a long cardstock name tag, that has a line drawn the middle. When they are done with the chore, they can move the pins from one side to the other.
Saturday is family fun day. Ted gets about two Saturdays off a month, and on that day, the larger trips will be planned, and if there is not a larger trip planned, we can do something fun around home.
Sunday, of course is the Sabbath.
So. My idea is to keep track on the blog by pictures how we do with our summer plans, hopefully, my faithful readers will comment along the way with their own ideas.
Here's to an organized, fun, educational summer!!!
