We have been out of school for over a week now, and I have spent that time coming up with some ideas! Last summer was over before I knew it; this year I have made weekly craft lists and outing lists. We of course have the normal reward jar and chore charts! I am making the kids choose two chores from a list that they have to do everyday, they are actually getting them done daily, along with piano practice, math worksheets and reading time! Because there is a set time to do it all, they know exactly what they need to do! But I had to share my two favorite things that we are doing this summer! I called my friend Rory one day in a panic trying to find ideas to make summer lunch time a little easier. I don't know if this sounds familiar, mom makes mac n'cheese, all of the sudden no one wants mac n'cheese, they want everything else under the sun...I was not looking forward to this daily routine. Rory gave me not one but two great ideas!!! She does a lunch time summer menu! She lists veggies, fruits and then about five main courses that are always on hand. I added beverages to mine so that it would be more like a real menu! We deco pauged card board and made our own "real" menus! They are waiting next to their breakfast bowls in the morning so that they can decide what they want and then I am prepared! They have loved it! There haven't been any fights, no changing minds, and my kids are getting a balanced lunch everyday!!!
Rory's second great idea is for snacks! We go through snacks so quickly during the summer. She set a money value for each snack and then she gave her kids a set amount of money for the week. Once it was gone, it was gone. She uses change since her kids are a little older. I decided to use fake dollars that I bought for a dollar! The kids have also enjoyed this, and they are working on their math and money skills and don't even realize it!!!
Maybe by the end of the summer, I will still be sain, maybe a little more organized and my kids will be a little healthier and better at math...we will see!!!
My main courses for my menu are hot dogs, calzone(i found an easy, but good one that could be used for sandwiches), spaghetti with meat balls, chicken pot pies, chicken nuggets & mac'n cheese. My kids are anti sandwiches and things out of a can, but they do love frozen pot pies...picky, picky!
I am going to be posting a lot of crafts this summer, just in case anyone is looking for some. This month will be a lot of father's day crafts and 4th of July. If anyone else has any great crafts...let me know, I am always looking for new ideas!!! (I posted a lot today...I was a little behind, so keep scrolling down!!!)
