Oh, What do you do in the Summertime? (Guest Post)

It's another Mom Time TV Monday for me! Today's topic: Structuring The Summer! It was only after my good friend, Kameron, posted her brilliant ideas about this topic on her Facebook Page, that I found out that she is one of the moms I get to talk with on the show today! I hope you can listen in and let us know what you think. I asked Kameron if I could share her plans here with you all, because she's way ahead of me! And because like it or not, summer is here, and I don't think I'm the only one asking, "now what?" She wrote up the following and sent me these great pictures that she took with her phone--believe it or not!

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Does anyone else absolutely dread summers?  I mean, theoretically it’s all about lazy days, kids eating popsicles (outside, of course, without leaving the back door open to let in all the flies and hot air), running through the sprinklers in cute Lime Ricki swim suits, and idyllic picnics under some shady trees in insect-free grass.  In reality, my summers are much less…picturesque than that.  I see an increase in bickering, a rise in couch-potato-ness and Wii-addiction, and a drop in any sort of kindness and chivalry.  Okay, not really ANY sort of kindness, but during some looooooooooooong days it certainly feels that way!

So, what DO you do in the summer time in order to keep things in-hand?  Well, here's my answer to that question!  This year I decided to give the kids a week-long break of doing (almost) nothing just after school let out (we’re out a lot earlier than some areas of the country, but then we start back the second week in August, so…), and then start in with some firm plans.  What with evening swim team & swim lessons starting, I don't really want the kids too tired before they go, so I didn't want to over-schedule during the days.  BUT!  I did want something concrete to do every day.  Here's what I came up with, just in case anyone else is out there going "What do I DO???" just like me.

Mondays: Library

Tuesdays: Splash Pad

Wednesdays: Kitchen Time

Thursdays: Craft

Fridays: Wild Card 

(either city pool, grandparents' pool, something local like one of those indoor jump places or whatever your city has to offer)

Now, Library Day is pretty self-contained and easy to manage, and Tuesdays are nice and flexible, but I knew Wednesdays and Thursdays needed to have a plan, or else I'd just sit there and stare at the kids.  I'm not good at winging it when it comes to those types of things with kids, and I’m pretty much a control freak in the kitchen, so I had to have a game plan.  So here are my ideas for those two days:

Kitchen Time:

(with each recipe the kids and I will make a list, go to the store together to get the ingredients,

then come home and make!):

• Chicken & Veggie Kabobs (dad can be in charge of grilling that night for dinner)
• Rice Krispie Treats
• Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Puppy Chow
• Yogurt Parfaits
• Frozen Pudding Pops
• Fruit Kabobs

(I think we're only going to have about 6 weeks from here before we head off for vacation/s and then it’s back to school, so I don’t need TOO many options)

Craft Time:

(I LOVED www.familycrafts.com for this!):

• Bagel Bird Feeder
• Grow Your Own Crystals
• Ice Cream in a Bag 
• Marble Painting 
• Shaving Cream Painting
• Ice Cube Painting
• Rainbow Stew
• Maracas

And there you have it!  

OH.  I'm also going to buy BOB from Amazon - order placed tonight! 

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 - in order to limit the time my kids spend on the tv and wii.  I chose this one because you can program it by the day instead of by the week (though you can do that, too) - my kids aren't old enough to figure out rationing just yet...

I hope this helps someone else out there wondering what the heck they're going to do for their summer plans!

Now fingers crossed that I can actually stick to it…

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Thanks, Kameron, for giving us a such a great jumping off point for our summer schedules! It's so much nicer when you have a plan, isn't it? For more cute and crafty ideas to do with kids, you'll want to check out the great post of Spring Break activities written by MaryLea of Pink and Green Mama! Don't forget to catch Kameron and I on Mom Time TV today on Toginet radio (3pm Eastern/noon AZ time)!