I had some great responses from my posts about summer. I'm excited/nervous for the change (change is hard for special needs kiddos) but it is coming whether I am ready or not. And I love looking back on some of our great adventures and remembering the amazing times we had. But sometimes those memories take some planning.
Jaelle from ldsparenting.blogspot.com had some great ideas for summer activities. I love that she created lists of read-a-loud books, summer movies, and activities for summer fun. I may just print her whole magazine and put it on my refrigerator. That way I can point to it when the kids get bored and let them choose their activity. Here's her link for some great summer ideas.
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| Image by Jaelle Kaylor at LDS Parenting |
Other people commented that school's have excellent sports camps for usually a great rate. I have put my children in some of these and they usually had a great time.
I had some people want more information on my weekly plans for Camp Beat the Heat. I've included the Welcome Summer Week and the Mystery Week below.
I also want to mention that I made sure I had some time each week for me. I hired a sitter once a week to come watch my kids and called it my "Mom's Day Out." I would usually grocery shop (because 5 kids, 3 with special needs, 2 not walking well, NOPE). And I would take myself to lunch and read a book. I relaxed and refreshed so I had energy to keep going.
Don't forget to spend some time planning WITH your kids. Create a Summer Bucket list of items they want to do. It may surprise you that their favorite activity isn't the movies, but may be games night with Mom and Dad. Creating a list ensures that everyone's favorite activity will be accomplished before summer's over.
I love spending time with my kids and I'm excited to get Camp Beat the Heat back up and running.
If you have additional summer fun ideas, PLEASE include them below so the rest of us can use your great ideas! Thanks.
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| Those are some crazy kids! |
Welcome Summer Week
Items Needed:
Pop bottles
Check on Window markers and paint
Books Needed:
Summer by Alice Low
Mouse's First Summer Lauren Thompson
Gone Away Lake by Elizabeth Enright
Prep Work:
Prep homemade ice cream
Food Needed:
Capri Sun
Hot dogs
Chips
Licorice
Fruit
Cream
Bananas
Strawberries
chocolate bars
graham crackers
Movies:
Summer of the Monkeys
Wednesday:
3:00 Pick up from School and go to Bahama Bucks.
4:30 Change clothes and get into pool. Watch movie in pool?
6:00 Pizza Night
7:30 Go over Camp Beat the Heat activities for the summer
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Schedule (Daily)
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2 dollars per book (Reading Incentive)
·
Make Poster (Camp Beat the Heat)
·
Do "My Summer Wishlist" for each child
8:30 Introduce 1st Read Aloud Book
9:00 Sleepy time
Thursday:
7:00 Bugle Call
7:30 Cabin Inspection
7:45 Leave for Swim
8:00 Swim Team
9:30 Home and Dressed
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Morning Chores
·
Clean Room
11:00
Morning Fun Time
·
Beach Party with Friends
·
Treats:
o
Licorice
o
Capri Suns
o
Fruit
·
Lunch
o
Hot Dogs
o
Chips
o
Homemade Ice Cream
·
Get splash ball to play games
2:00
Send Friends Home, Clean-up Time
2:00
Craft Time
·
Shirts (summer shirts)
·
Message in a bottle to cousins (Letters sent in
plastic 2 liter bottle to cousins)
3:00
Leave for Swim Lessons
5:00
ILP Ellie/Levi
6:00
Dinner
6:45
Campfire Night with S'mores and Read Aloud Book
8:30
Lights Out
Friday
7:00 Bugle Call
7:30 Cabin Inspection
7:45 Leave for Swim
8:00 Swim Team
9:30 Home and Dressed
·
Morning Chores
·
Clean Room
10:30
Morning Fun Time
·
Start Summer Scrapbook
·
Decorate Car
·
Decorate Back Window (get window friendly paints)
11:30
Lunch
12:00
Makutu's Island
3:30-4:00
Quiet Reading time at Home
4:30
Brain Time
5:30
KP
6:00
Dinner
6:45
Movie Night (Drive In?)
Mystery Week 2010
Items Needed:
Books Needed:
Prep Work:
Food Needed:
Movies Needed:
Mystery Week 2010
Items Needed:
mustaches (for disguises)
Books Needed:
Mystery ones (didn't make a list, just searched library for any mystery books)
We liked:
Encyclopedia Brown
I Spy books
Nate the Great
A to Z Mysteries
Prep Work:
Get clues ready for
party
Food Needed:
hotdogs
chips
cookies
watermelon
Movies Needed:
Monday:
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