summer-ready!

The last four summers I just dove right in with out a plan, rhyme or reason to what our summer would consist of, then struggle to reach the surface to catch a breath by the time the summer ended. But not so this summer. This summer there IS a plan!

Last night I had to make a Wal-Mart run to pick up a vaporizer for a snotty congested little guy & I happened to be alone, so I decided to do some extensive shopping for this summer. On the list were items to make finger paint & moon sand. scoops, shovels & molds to play in the moon sand. Items for a 'GOOD BEHAVIOR' prize box, art supplies...& the list was looonng.

The Moon Sand was the easiest thing to make, 8 cups white flour & 1cup baby oil. That's it!

I made 3 batches & it filled this tub with just the right amount that I was hoping for. Molds & shovels cost me all of .98 for two!....I made this after the children had gone to bed, & let's just say, it really is the coolest thing to play with, I know cause I spent about half n hour playing with it myself! ;)

Little man is dreaming up all the messes he could make with this finger-paint :)

Also, so easy to make. 1 cup flour, 1 cup salt, 1 cup water...mix thoroughly & add food color.(I did add a little more water though to get the consistency I liked). I also made 3 batches of the finger paint & it filled 4 ketchup bottle perfectly.

200 sheets of construction paper, coloring books, new markers, colored pencils, & crayons=hours of fun & creativity for my munchkins!

This is something I think I will end up loving!

At school each class has their plan for the day, a special activity for that day, chores for the children etc....when I hung this up for the first time this morning, the children got super excited! They know what to expect for the day. They know what is expected of them, & I believe we will have much less chaos through-out the day...each day it will change & through-out the summer I want to get really creative with their specials, make it fun & interesting & possibly even have them learn something in the process...think, treasure hunts-scavenger hunts-library visits, nature walks....I'd be open to suggestions too;)

THIS...is the prize box!

 For every 7days that they have good behavior, they get to choose something from the prize box.

There is some GOOD stuff in here! :)

-glow sticks

-jumping ropes

-candy bars

-note pads

-bubble gum

-bubbles

-activity packs

-stickers

-pens & pencils

-water guns

-silly putty

We have a large desk calendar on the refrigerator where I keep track of activities  & the calendar will also be used to keep track of good behavior. Each child picks a color they will use all summer & at the end of the day, if he/she has practiced good behavior all day, they will make a line with their color on that day. when the have 7 lines a prize may be chosen!

 

Here's to having a good, creative, fun, summer vacation!

How do you plan for summer vacation?

Happy sunny, Sunday to you!

 

 

 

 

 

 



Hospitality

Tonight I said & did something that I could still just kick myself for (If that would change matters, that is).

While walking the trail in Fredericksburg, we met up with Friends of ours that we haven't been in contact with for a very long time, despite the fact we live in the same town.

After standing around & visiting with them for a few minutes, I made the comment, "If my house wasn't so trashed right now, we would have you guys over to sit around the fire & make S'mores."

They looked as if they wanted to accept, but my comment didn't leave any room for an acceptance! boo!

Am I the only one who does this???!!!

Since when does a clean or not so clean house have to be the deciding factor for a fun evening reconnecting with friends?!

Have good impressions become so important in my life that it trumps friendship?

In reality, they probably would have taken one look at the mess & said their house looks just like this too-really! why does it even matter?

 

"People will forget what you said.

They will even forget what you did.(or how your house looked).

But they will never forget how you made them feel."

 

Awhile back I took dinner in for a family that had just had a baby, that we have since become good friends with. Their house was a mess! truly-toys everywhere, crumbs stuck to your feet when you walked through the house. There were no apologies made for the messy house(that's probably all I would have done in the same situation).

But going into their home & sitting there visiting with them & snuggling their new baby, I have probably never felt so comfortable or at ease in any other home. And since then, when they come over, the pressure is totally off in regards to making that my home looks perfect.

Again...am I the only one who does this?

I have been challenged today. To put people first. don't stress the little things. They won't matter in the end.....

How do you show Hospitality? Is a clean-picked up house on the top of your list?

I tend to suck at Hospitality, I believe it is a gift & if you have it, BLESS YOU!

For me it is something that I need to work at & practice, God help me! :) I obviously need it!

 

 



Magic

So...It's been a really long time since I've come to put my thoughts here, but today I've been inspired!

Magic happened in my kitchen today. That's the only way I can describe it. There are days when I spend the whole day in my kitchen & everything flops, but then there are rare days like today, when it all goes RIGHT!

 

I had raw-whole milk yogurt in the oven by 7:30 to work it's magic. By 3:30 I opened the oven to find I had rich, creamy, thick yogurt! That has never happened for me before! other recipes I've used all called for gelatin & I often used 2% milk to make it & it always turned out more like a watery jello. GROSS! The recipe I used today I found here rollermillfarms.blogspot.com

I flavored mine with 2T. real vanilla extract & 1/2c. honey. It is amazing!

I also made homemade whole wheat bread that actually rose to the occasion :) Although I did go a little overboard on the split tops ;)

the bread got rave reviews from the children when they came home from school.

I also took the leftover bread that I made yesterday, cut it into cubes, drizzled with olive oil & seasoned them with garlic & seasoned salt, then toasted them. The children have been eating them like some people sit & eat a bowl of chips. Although they were meant to top salads.

 

In other news..

There are only 16 more days of school left. 16!!! I can't wait! As much as I'm ready to resume a schedule in the Fall, I'm also excited for the late-lazy Summer evenings & late-sleeping kiddos in the mornings.

We are slowly letting the children stay up later & later each week & that is resulting in mornings where I get lots done before they wake up & they take long afternoon naps!

 

 

Also keep my Friends Heidi & Donavon & their precious baby boy Kasen in your prayers tonight. They are at Altman Hospital with him due to a really high jaundice count.

 

Have a happy Thursday night!