SUMMER!!!!

I can hardly believe that at 12:05pm today - it will OFFICIALLY be summer at my house.  I adore my kids - truly, but at times the thought of entertaining them 24/7 is a little daunting.  As summer approaches, I always try to decide what "Plan"  I am going to put in place for that summer.  We have tried quite a few things - some have worked better than others.  My 10 year old refers to my plans as "torture".  Aka - "So mom, how are you going to torture us this summer."  LOL!  Personally, this year I really want to find a balance between keeping up their school skills and letting them be kids.  

Here are a few ideas to keep up school skills:

1.  Summer Skills Books -  These books are awesome!!  20 minutes per day (my kids usually finish closer to 10 minutes) The answers are in the back of the book. (for the parent)  It is a review of sorts.  It follows common core - so it will be exactly what they were taught in their classroom.  It reviews all the concepts they learned throughout the year so when they start school in the Fall - it is fresh in their minds.  They have two books for each grade.  Language Arts and Math.  I had teachers at my children's school review these last year after I had purchased them and they ALL said they were the best they'd seen.  In fact, a handful of them even ordered books for kids they were tutoring over the summer.  I really like these books and highly recommend them. I think they cost about $20 per book.  
   Find them HERE!

2.  Check out your local library -  Our library has AWESOME summer programs every year that we try to take advantage of.  Best of all they are all FREE!!! 
                          a.  Reading programs - to encourage reading
                          b. Chik Lit/Guys Read - programs led by a librarian for kids going into grades 3-5.  They meet once a week and discuss the assigned book. 
                          c.  Activities/Entertainment - From Lego Mania, a Magician, an art project,  a Singing Cowboy and his horse - there is always something fun.  This is usually a once a week event for about 8 weeks of summer. 

3.  Tenmarks.com - a Math website - is offering a FREE summer math program this year.  (it usually costs $39.95 per child).  This program serves those going into 2nd grade and up.  This is a fantastic summer program - they do an assessment with your child and then give assignments based on how they did.  The parent can set REWARDS to motivate the child to complete assignments.  For example, I set for my son's first reward - a trip to his favorite ice cream place when he completes 10 assignments.  At the end of the summer - the parent receives a "Report Card" of how they did overall.    Find it HERE


4.  Barnes & Noble Imagination's Destination - FREE Summer Reading program 2015; For children in grades 1-6.  Read 8 books and receive a FREE book at your local Barnes & Noble.  To learn more and to print out the reading journal GO HERE

5.  Jenny Philips Summer Reading Program - This is my FAVORITE find so far this year.  Jenny is an incredible musician who majored in English and created this reading program for her kids.  She wanted to find more "wholesome" books which taught a moral and had educational value.  She sought out books that showcase good and uplifting family relationships and show respect and love toward one another.  Her book list has 228 books by grade level.  Each book is given a point level and your child earns prizes depending on how many points he/she earns.  The book list alone is amazing.  You can purchase JUST the book list for $5 if this interests you.  I AM IN LOVE WITH THE LIST and the program.   This one does cost $11.98 per child - However, if you register 3 or more - it is only $9.98 per child.   Go Here

6.  Chuck E. Cheese - When your child reads for 2 weeks in a row - he/she earns 10 FREE tokens.  Just print off and fill out the form and take it with you to claim your free tokens.  Here is the link.  (if you look closely - there is also a reward for just about everything - so use this!!!!) 

7.  Summer Survival Planner 2015 - The confident mom has an amazing Planner you can purchase.  It lists an activity to do with your kids every single day throughout the summer.  Some are educational, some are a treat you can make together, some are just plain fun.  However, my favorite part of this planner is that it also comes with a "shopping list" for each week.  This list outlines ALL of the items needed to do each of the activities with your kids.  So, you can be prepared.  It is beautiful.  Go HERE to find out more. Cost is $7-12 depending on the option you pick!! 

8.  Days of the Week - I also LOVE the hallmark idea to assign each day of the week a "theme".  This year we are using:

Make Someone Smile MONDAY - service oriented
Theatre TUESDAY - Harkins summer movie passes
Wet N Wild WEDNESDAY - Wet N Wild with friends
Take a Trip THURSDAY - need I say more?
Friendly Friday - Playdate day 


Whatever you do, just remember to enjoy it!  Get down on the floor and out in the pool and PLAY with your kids.  THAT is what they will remember!