What are we going to do this summer?!

I can't believe that Nathan's last day of VPK is tomorrow! Awww!! How am I going to keep him learning, out of trouble, and having fun?  I've decided to bring out the teacher in me and come up with a summer curriculum....really, it is just a few simple activities.  I had to keep it simple because I'll be taking care of 2 other kids, cleaning house, making meals, and all the other stuff.  I told Nathan that each week we will have a theme. He came up with many, if not most, of the weekly themes. I hope to include some language arts, math, and a bit of imagination in each weeks' activities. Here ya go if you want to do it along with us. This is really tailored for Nathan so have fun if you want to make it your own.  Ask questions or add suggestions as well!  Good luck moms...I hope you not only survive the summer but enjoy it!
                                                                 SuperHero Week

What you will need this week:
Printer
Flashcards
Glue or tape
Envelope, stamp, letter paper
Yarn
Whole puncher
Paper plate

Day 1

      ·         Print off superheroes and color (I printed off some of Nathan’s favorite superheros)

      ·         Make a super hero mask

o   http://www.firstpalette.com/tool_box/printables/superhero.html

·         Describe characteristics of a hero (help others, fight for good, honest, courageous, strong and fit, responsible). Explain adjectives. Write adjectives on flashcards and have child draw a superhero showing one of these characteristics.

Day 2

·         Review adjectives flashcards and pictures

·         Come up with some real life super heroes we know. What makes them a superhero? Choose one of those people and write a letter thanking for being a hero.  (teach them how to address the envelope)

·         Make a spider web. Will need yarn, whole puncher, and paper plate. Let child punch whole and yarn it threw.

Day 3

·         Review adjective flashcards and pictures. Act each one out in a silly way. You could act it out while being very serious, while laughing, in an accent, while jumping.

·         Super heroes are in shape and eat healthy. Count how many fruits and vegetables you eat today. Make your own food pyramid and keep track of what category you are eating. Add them up.

o   http://www.coloringcastle.com/food_pyramid_coloring_pages.html

·         Do 20 minutes of physical activity. Go for a walk, swim, chores around the house. Set the timer!

Day 4

·         Review adjective flashcards and pictures.  Look at pictures first and try to remember the adjective without turning it over.

·         Write a short story about a superhero. Illustrate it.  If you get stuck you can use your adjective cards.  

Day 5

·         Do a super hero act. Think of something you can do for someone else. Super heroes are always thinking of others. Put laundry away, help someone put their groceries in the car, take trash to the curb for a neighbor, etc. You can even dress up like your favorite superhero while doing this.

·         Have your child think about both ways they are gifted and areas they are weak, in regards to being a super hero. Do they share well with their siblings? Are they quick to help someone in need?

Nathan chose to write his letter to his daddy!

molded in my heart

Do you ever have moments where you feel like your kids are growing up so fast and you wonder if you've missed precious moments in the past and want to make sure you take in every moment that is to come? Sometimes I look at my kids and have no idea how they got to be as big as they are. When did they start walking, coming up with their own thoughts, and saying the cutest things? I had to stop reading a Mother's day card at Nathan's school today because I started to tear up. This is what happens to me when I read something that touches me. My heart aches, in a good way, and then I start to cry which makes me stop reading the card in order to stop the tears from coming. Usually this happens when Mike gives me a card, he is so good with his words. But today it was a little poem Nathan's teacher had posted in his Mother's day card. I read the first few lines and then had to put it down. Nathan looked at me with understanding, familiar that I cry sometimes when my heart if full and happy.

I miss you when we're not together
I'm growing up so fast
See how big I've gotten

Since you saw me last?
As I grow, I'll change a lot,
The years will fly right by.
You'll wonder how I grew so quick
When and where and why?
So look upon this hand print (they made a little molding of is handprint)
That's hanging on your wall.
And memories will come back of me,
When I was very small.

I want them to stay small forever! (not completely, but you know what I mean, right?) I want to remember the moments forever. I was looking at Stephen, my 1 year old, last night and trying to remember what Nathan was like at that age. It was hard for me to remember the details. Stephen says the word 'this' all the time, waves his arms around announcing he's all done, and is beginning to run (which is so entertaining to watch his stiff legs try to move quickly). In a few months, it will be different little moments that I treasure with him.


Grace hasn't been feeling 100% lately and is having a hard time falling asleep at night. I found myself asking her if she wanted a magic sleeping pill. She eagerly replied yes with a bit of hesitation not knowing what this meant. I asked her what color she wanted and then pulled out a pink pill from my pocket and asked her to stick her tongue out. She looked at my hand puzzled, not seeing a pill. I reassured her with a smile that this will help her to relax and go to sleep. She swallowed the pill and took a big gulp of imaginary juice as well. "It's in your tummy now and will help you rest." She was excited and snuggled further down into her blankets. I paused and realized this scenario seemed familiar. I realized my dad used to this with me. I had totally forgotten about the magic sleeping pill until this moment where I thought I was being creative and original with my daughter- funny how you can end up being like your parents even in the small things. Swallowing my sleeping pill from my daddy didn't seem that long ago. I remember it vividly. His strong presence at the end of my bed. His assurance that this would help. And the peace it brought me as he gently gave it to me. When did I grow up? This happens so fast. One day, Grace might be asking her daughter what color pill she wants and then gently tucking her sweet baby in to wish her a good night.

I love my kids so dearly. I say this often when I write and talk, but my heart does ache. It aches because I desperately want them to know how much I enjoy them, how I love hearing them talk, I love seeing them filled with joy, and I love spending my time with them. They are the dearest little pill swallowers I know. Like in the poem that Nathan's card said, I hope the memories will come back of when they were very small. Maybe I need to take a magical memory pill!  And just like his gift to me, I want these memories molded into my heart.