Friday, June 7, 2013

Summer Schedule

Just because summer is here doesn't mean we will be throwing our schedule out the window.  Yes, it will be more relaxed but I like having an idea of what each day will bring and I think my kids function better knowing what to expect.

So here's the schedule I have made for our summer:
(This schedule is for our mornings, until lunch, since our afternoons consist of nap time for my younger two smarties.)

 Out & About Monday:  We run most if not all our errands for the week.  I make my lists out over the weekend so we can be out the door and on our way first thing on Monday mornings.

Stay Home Tuesday:  Cleaning and Laundry Day -kids have a few chores to do and after they do them they are allowed some computer, tv or Kindle time while I finish up my chores.

Whatever Wednesday:  We will go do whatever activity the kids' pick (It can be something that costs money.)

Active Thursday:  Do something active together, whether it be walking (hoping to try out some of the greenways around town), going to kick the soccer ball around, going to swim at grandparent's pool, etc. 

Free Fun Friday:  We will do a free activity the kids chose (library, park, picnic, pool, playdate, Pinterest idea, etc)

I also made a list of friends who we can call on for a playdate and a list of activities (free and ones that cost money) to have beside our schedule for a quick reference guide.  

For those of you who live in and around our area, here's a list I came up with:

(we go to Jonie Moser, Jack Warren, Tanglewood but would love suggestions of your favorite ones so we can try out something new) 

As I was making my list of things I wanted to do with the kids, I came across this article of 50 things to do this summer in the Triad Region.

*keep your eye out on Groupon, Living Social, etc for deals on these kinds of things.  We have gotten to do several of these activities for cheaper than normal.  Like a family pass to the zoo for $28 using Living Social.
*Tanglewood park-costs $2 or buy a year pass sticker-$25 ($20 if you purchase in January)

Here is my Summer Fun Board on Pinterest

What will you be doing to keep the kids busy this summer?

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

DIY Father's Day

This year we decided to make a few things for Father's Day instead of the usual picking something out at the store.  I hoped on Pinterest and found a few cute ideas and decided to do the ones the kids liked best.  This is what they decided on...

I came across a sweet poem called, "Walk With Me, Daddy."  I typed it up and printed it out on cardstock then added one footprint from each child and put it in a frame.  It turned out really cute!


Then the kids really wanted to make the candy card.  So we hit the Dollar Tree and got all the candy we could there and walked next door to the Five Below and got what we couldn't find at the dollar store.  With the price of cards being so high these days, why not spend a few more dollars and make your own that you can actually enjoy?!  Here's how the card turned out...


And last, the kids wanted to make Daddy a yummy dessert for an after dinner.  So we are planning on making this Fruit Pizza. I hope ours turns out this cute!

the Diary of DavesWife: Father's Day Fruit Pizza

Monday, June 3, 2013

DIY Kiddie Pool Cover

I can't remember where I saw this idea but I loved it so much, I just had to share it with you... 
My kids love playing in the kiddie pool in the backyard on those hot summer days but I always hesitate to fill the thing up because as soon as they play in it once, I have to dump all the water out.  Bugs get in, grass and other nature blow in and it starts to look rather swampy if you leave the water in for a day or two.  When I saw the idea to put an old bed sheet on as a pool cover, I had to try it out.  Our kiddie pool has a slide so it's a little bigger around than the ones without so I used an old queen sized sheet...fit great and totally did the job!


Hope you are enjoying your summer!