The Everyday Summer Moments

Our summer has been pretty crazy busy lately.  More to come on that.  But in the midst of the busy has been the everyday living summer moments. 

We did really well with a summer schedule of sorts for a good portion of this summer.  The kids had "chore lists" that they had to complete each day.  The chore lists had a few house helping items, brain work, reading time, piano time, working on some goals everyday etc.  Each day of the week had some new and some repeating tasks.  I found these clear cover little folders that allowed us to just put the appropriate day of the week at the front and then the kids used dry erase markers to check their boxes.  That worked great because they could just wipe the checks away with a wet wipe the next day and begin again. In the end I found that it helped keep them occupied, helped me some around the house, and helped us all feel a little more productive.  With Rori and Zuri being pretty little still I had to be helping them quite a bit so it actually made it a little more difficult to get my own things done, but it was well worth it.  Some days we were out and about and busy doing fun things or errands and our lists didn't get done and that was fine.  But on the lazy "I'm bored" summer days it was good.

 

When Kai finished his list he earned his media time for the day.  Media time meaning a set amount of time on the iPad or computer on approved apps/ games.  This is something that Lance and I battle a bit with in our minds.  Kai is such an active kid that normally during the school year he doesn't really have much time for these things.  But in the summer I think he could be sucked in like lots of kids to being in front of a screen a lot.  I think that computers and technology are a big part of our kids futures and some of the things one them can be really educational or creative, but I also worry that a lot of social issues and even addictions are starting very young.  We get nervous when our good natured easy going boy can suddenly become all worked up over losing out on media time.  Anyway, this system seemed to be a good compromise for us for this summer but it certainly is a challenge and something to ponder as all the kids grow older. 

In addition to their lists we've also kept busy with lots of swimming, gymnastics, basketball camp and academy, and just playing around the house.  We've only got a little bit of summer left so we're trying to soak up as much fun as we can in this last part.  Here are some everyday summer moment phone photos: