I love having the kids home. I love choosing how to spend our days. School takes up so much of my time with them, between school, homework, and everything that goes with that time of year. While that's an important time too, this summer part of the year is my favorite.
Each May, I get excited at the prospect of making up our summer "schedule". Basically that involves all the ways I get to "slave work" my kiddos over the next three months. Our longer days together provide more opportunities to teach them how to do various things around the house- training them for the future day when they will be caretakers of their own home. I want them to know how to love that job. And so, that involves training and teaching for now. I'm happy to report that so far, we are improved from last year. Teaching kids to work is not for the faint of heart, I can tell you that much. I once heard it said that a "lazy mom does everything herself". Amen, sista.
I love the ideas born of desperation that come each summer and color our days and memories. Today? "Popsicle Points"! One point for each kind word, act of kindness, good manner. . .the list goes on. Pretty much anything the girls do that makes our home a happier, kinder place to be earns them a point, which they are in charge of awarding to themselves and keeping track of.
Welcome to the honor system, baby. The reward? Popsicles, of course! For every ten points earned, they can reward themselves with an otter pop from the freezer. Lots of sugar, I know. But I don't care one bit if it makes our house a safe and pleasant place for them to be, and teaches them the difference in how they feel inside when they are kind verses when they are not.
Oh, and I would be lying if I said I don't love the way the girls are gathered in the other room right this very minute playing "store". Complete with a shopping cart, shelves of tantalizing purchases, and a credit card (of course! . . .Don't worry, dad- we've had lessons about that too). I hear ballet class and Sunday school are also on the schedule.
Other things on our summer list? Sewing lessons with Miss Robyn, swimming with Aunt Kerri and the cousins each week, piano with Aunt Nan, and the historical farm. We had our first day at the farm last week (this year with cousin Madeleine in tow) and it was a hit. Oh, and lambs. Don't forget the lambs.
Ahhhhh, summertime.
