Summer Schedule

With the kids' summer vacation now in full swing, I thought it would be beneficial to EVERYONE to add a little bit of structure to our day. Last week, we (the kids and I) had a "family meeting" to discuss some of the things that we would like to do or learn this summer... and from there, I have developed a "guideline" for us to follow each day.

Here is a sample of our daily schedule:

Monday:
7:00 – 8:00 Morning checklist items
8:00 – 8:15 Calendar, news
8:15 – 8:45 Bible time – weekly memory verses/ hymns, study of missionaries (saints of old) or Bible character
8:45 - 9:45 Math – worksheets, flash cards, individual work, etc.
9:45 – 10:30 Art – play dough, coloring, painting, watercolor, sidewalk chalk, beads
10:30 – 12:00 Free play
12:00 – 1:00 Lunch
1:00 – 2:00 Board games
2:00 – 4:00 Quiet time / Nap time
4:00 – 5:00 Cleaning
5:00 – 6:00 Free play
6:00 – 7:00 Dinner
7:00 – 7:30 Evening checklist items
7:30 – 8:00 Bible time – review memory verse, Bible reading, prayer
8:00 Bedtime

Of course there is a lot of flexibility in our "schedule", (for example, we would make time to do important things like play with the cousins, Park Day, reading by the pool, etc.!!!) but for the most part of last week, we tried to have a little bit of directed schooling in the first portion of our day. The results (drum roll, please) -- oh so wonderful! We have spent a bit of time working on some math, penmanship, problem solving, reading/comprehension, geography (with Grandpa Louie's world map!)... and (my favorite!) reading the story of Corrie ten Boom! I feel smarter already :)

Last Friday and Saturday, we had our FFD (flexible family day - scheduled for Fridays, in case you are wondering...) in Tecate, Mexico. We took a trip to the youth camp in Tecate (where Legacy is held) and worked on painting the interior and exterior of the main girls' dorm, as well as some doing electrical work in the missionary house (where Jack & Rosa used to stay regularly, when they are down there -- now, only Rosa). A big THANK YOU to Darrel, John, Steve, Pete, and Jordan for coming down with us and serving the Lord in through the ministry of manual labor!!! The kids worked a bit, played a lot and had a blast!!! Seth and Isaac made friends with the little 6-year-old Isaac that lives there at the camp :) It was so cute to see the boys hanging out and speaking to each other in their own languages (and not understanding each other) and having a great time playing baseball or soccer, chasing all the animals on the property, or finding trouble together!!! Abby also make friends with Baby Caleb (Isaac's 1-year-old brother) and the mom :). She would somehow weasel her way into going into the house and going on walks with them. Matthew and I had a fun time teaching our kids to work hard and to serve others in real life.

Hi Mexico!!!

Pete & Matthew scraping the facia

Darrel - our Master Sprayer :)

Some of the animals - the Mama Dog just had 9 puppies!

Seth...umm, looking useful?!?

Family Hike up to the hill that overlooks the camp

Sleeping???





Driving home... absolutely WIPED OUT!!!

I pray that through a more organized and structured summer, I would be more intentional in teaching my children to actively pursue God. I pray that we would put into practice the discipline of not just sitting around and allowing life to just happen to us, but that we would be intentional in our learning and purposeful in seeking to please God through our activities, our choices, our thoughts, our words, and especially our fun!

... And We Have a Swimmer!!!

It was my summer project to get Abby to swim independently (before Lake Almanor). It didn't take much coaxing for my kids to get in the water with the 100 degree weather that we've been having lately.

On Monday, we went over to Mom and Dad's to swim and play. Abby and I practiced for about 10 minutes... and TADA!!! I didn't think it would be so easy :) Maybe I should set higher goals next summer!

Here is a clip of our newest little swimmer... without Mom right next to her in the pool and brothers making such awful turbulence!?!

Let Summer Begin!

Ready or not... we've officially started the first full week of Summer Vacation! After all the End of the Year festivities last week, we are already in "full swing" of no-school schedule!!! Yikes -- kids not in bed until after 10 a few nights in a row would really make this mama a bit out of sorts!

Here is a bunch of pictures of some of "the world of summer fun" :

Isaac's Rockies Team Party

Seth's Kindergarten Graduation and Party

End-of-the-Year Class Parties

Tea Party with Hannah :)

Legoland Fun with the Plumbs!!!




Seth & Abby warming up on the ground

Random Fun Day with Grandma (and cousins)

Mom's Club Party (look at all the babies!!!)