Summer Plans

Now this is the kind of transition that I enjoy. No school and summer hasn't officially started. It's time to catch up on all those things that I've pushed aside, but need some attention. And I might get some blogging and reading done, too:)

It's incredible to me that the summer calendar is already filling up. Sean will be gone or working most weeks this summer. There's 4-H, basketball camp, family reunions, work, my IBCLC (Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant) exam, and the dude ranch vacation.

Between all of that I'm looking forward to some down time and some structured activities. Here's what's on our agenda:

-I'm giving the kids a reading list this summer. They can choose from either the Newberry Award winners or the Young Hoosier Book Award Nominees and Winners. I've already nixed some of them. I'm a mom. I censor.

-The summer reading program

-Kid's Bowl For Free will be great for rainy days or days that you can fry an egg on the sidewalk.

-We are going to be reading one Magic Tree House Book/Magic School Bus a week and doing some sort of activity around the topic for the younger kids. Lydia already completed the book on whales. She checked out books about dolphins and whales and really did a great job making learning fun for everybody.

- We are hoping to check out some state parks nearby and Park patch programs.
It's been a few years since we've done this and the program has changed some, so that should be fun. Maybe we'll even branch out and go camping.

- Some kids would do well to keep up on some academic skills, so I'm proposing a learning hour each day that we are home. This would be a time for some to play math games, spelling practice, Rocket Phonics and handwriting (somehow we ended up very weak on that this school year.)

And that should do it. I know that this summer is going to fly by as it always does.

What are your summer plans? Tell me, how do you keep your summers relaxed, yet structured.

Graduation

Dear Hannah,

It has been the joy of my heart to know you not only as my daughter but as my student. I cherish each and every hour that we've spent together sitting on the floor, cuddled on the couch, working at the table.... I can still remember so clearly the night I stayed up to cut out squares and laminate them before your first day of homeschool. On each of these I placed all of the letters and from them you soon learned to spell and read. I really didn't know what I was doing, but you were so responsive and eager to learn. You've had to lebe flexible and patient often waiting for a baby to eat or me to carve out time for your questions. But through it all, you've proved to be a diligent, selfless, focused young lady really teaching yourself this past year. Watching you learn and discover has been my reward. I wouldn't have traded these years for anything in the world.

It's true that I'm going to miss you immensely. My mind I know that you will be practically across the street, but my heart knows it's a letting go nonetheless. I'm letting go of you proudly, Hannah, knowing that you are going to shine for Christ. I'm excited to see what new things you will try, what opportunities will arise and what you will learn about yourself in the process. You can be certain that I'll be your number one supporter with my arms open wide each time you return home.


Loving you always,
Mom