SUMMER

I can't believe we are at this point in the year......only 1-1/2 days until summer vacation. Then, we have 11 wonderful weeks of no school.


And, what a busy 11 weeks it will be. In fact, it will be so busy that, at last count, we all will be together, in our home, with no plans, for 7 days.


YEP! SEVEN. DAYS!


BUT, I'm not here to talk about what we are doing this summer.


Well, that's a lie. I AM going to talk about what we are doing this summer, but not about the big stuff. That will come later. (The camps, the family vacations, the day trips...)


No, there are some things I want to accomplish....some changes I want to make....some tasks I want to finally complete.....and we will start SOON!


Monday, as a matter of fact.


Why Monday? Well, we don't get out of school until Thursday afternoon. Friday, we have a few appointments. Saturday my son is involved in a bake sale....and darn it? I think I'm forgetting something else for that day. Sunday, we are going to my folks' place for grilling. Monday, though it is a holiday, is our first REAL day for our summer vacation.


I have been talking to my husband about ways we can....well...more or less "reset" how we do things. It is so hard to make changes during the school year. We are pretty locked in to how we get things done.


One of our big changes is in our finances. My husband is changing his schedule....he is doing this in order to spend more time with the family....and I love him all the more for it. We are striving to be smarter with our purchasing decisions. We like to play. Well, this summer, we are going to play, but we will not toss as much money into our play dates.


That being said, we are getting a bit more creative. I am looking forward to this as it will require us to be together more. Not just at home at the same time; not going somewhere to be entertained at the same time. But, to actually go and BE together. I look forward to it.


In order to get us more...."reset"  (I know I keep using that word, but it is really the best word), we are going to schedule our summer. It won't be such a strict schedule that we do certain tasks on certain days (well....kind of), but it is more that we will get certain things done in the course of the week.


I do have some *gimmicky* plans to help us remember things....and, hopefully, make it more fun.


Like: Movie Monday. As our boys all have different tastes in movies, I am going to ask each of them to choose 2 movies (appropriate for all). My hubby and I will each choose 1 movie....I CALL DIBS ON "ELF."  Then, we will draw, from a bag of those selected movie titles, and enjoy our time together.


Another big thing is in our video game time. During school, my kids can only play their electronic games on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. And then, we try to keep 1/2 hour per day, for those 3 days. As it is summer, we will let them play daily....maybe even up to an hour. But, it is going to be a set hour. It will be during their quiet time....a time when they must be in their own rooms.


Probably the biggest thing is "No Technology Tuesday." My children are already having issues with this, but really, they have no choice. :-) When I say "no technology," I don't mean: no lights, no running water, no A/C. I mean: no TV, no video games, no computer, (meaning no email and no FB) no phone..... The ONLY exception is during the time Hubs is gone. I will have my phone with me so that he can reach us, should he need to.


Other things I want to accomplish weekly are:


School work: But, only once a week. As my oldest will be in 8th grade, he has a reading assignment AND an Algebra packet. My youngest has a packet that he will get a prize for, if he finishes. SO, we will be working.


JBQ: My oldest has graduated the program, but he will still be expected to *remember* some stuff. My 2nd will be just coming off of National's and will be working on some other awards. My youngest 2 will also be working toward awards. Me? Yeah.... I want to get my Master Seal....we shall see.


Chores: My children will probably have different chores. My 3rd needs to learn how to do his own laundry.


Kitchen: My boys LOVE to cook. Now, instead of just helping in the kitchen, they will take a more active role in planning a meal, making a list, and cooking. Of course, I will supervise, but they will each take turns getting grub on the table.


Well, for now, that is it....but I think it will be enough. I hope we accomplish it.


What about you? What do you plan to do this summer?