Summer Fun ~ aka Taming the Boredom

"Water sliding" with friends at the church campout. . . .

Free bowling with MOPS friends and an uncountable number of children. . . . .

A

weekend at the Beach. . . .



Boating and intertubbing. . . . .

Many play dates including a friend's amazing pool, jumpy place, McDonald's. . . .

Back in May, a really good, original thought came to me on how to tame the Summer Boredom.

You know, the sleep in until 9 a.m., lay around the house in pjs, where can we go today, what's for dinner, oops the summer's over Boredom.

Each of my children composed a list of 10 things they wanted to do over the Summer, edited as necessary by mommy, as Natalie quickly shouted out "Go to Palm Springs!" We composed the list together on the computer (teaching them computer skills and Publisher ~ good mommy), choosing their own graphics to design it, printed it out, and hung it.

We've done well doing the fun things off each person's list, but it wasn't all about that exactly. For them it was learning to make a to do list and planning outings. For me it was making sure these 3 months "off" were not wasted. My children's time goes by so quickly, I would so much rather it be filled with events and adventures to treasure for all time.

I'm looking forward to next year's lists....

HAYDEN:
1. Spend the night with Trenton
2. Spend the night with Conner

3. Race remote control cars

4. Go to the beach

5. Play date with Talon

6. Hunt for turtles

7. Sleepover with Kyle & Casey

8. Date with mommy

9. Go to the Pacific Science Center

10. Bowling

NATALIE:

1. Go to the beach

2. Ride horses with Ty

3. Spend the night with Ty

4. Play date with Whitney

5. Go to the zoo

6. Jumpy place

7. Putt putt golfing

8. Date with daddy

9. Children's museum

10. Picnic at the river

MARISSA:

1. Slip n slide with Josie

2. Play date with Josie

3. Play date with Max & Sam

4. Play date with daddy

5. Jumpy place

6. Go to the beach

7. Play outside

8. Camping with Ty & Josie