As summer approaches

While Nas played Tag with a few kids at the play area at McDonald's, I figured it a

good time to start a list of things we could do to make good use of our summer. (The less I suppress my Virgo tendencies, the happier I am, so I let my freak flag fly!) Every summer Babe and I find out what the kids hope to do before returning to school and we try to figure in a mini-trip or two. This year it seems we have a lot of options, we'll just have to see how far the summer funds stretch!

When I consider what we'll do each summer, I typically start with local Parents Magazines and recreation center brochures and websites. That helps give me an idea of what will be going on in our area as well as which classes the kids can take - especially swimming. Once I have an idea of the more affordable options, I look into activities they participate in during the year and see if they offer day camps. For example, Jay takes dance all school year and her studio offers classes for her level throughout the summer - easy enough, because obviously this is something she enjoys doing!

Because activities and camps cost, each of our kids can do one "pricey" camp and the rest will have to fall on the other end of the spectrum considering Nas is a bottomless pit and will still need feeding. I figure we can go to the pool and the park, the library, Vacation Bible School rarely costs more than $15 per child, meander along downtown (something we don't get to do much during the busy school year), play outside of course, and without a doubt these two will spend time reading every day. That plus a homework sheet (or two) a few days a week and chores? We've got summer pretty well planned out!

This year the kids' school is offering a "boot camp" for Nas' age group where he goes to school for two hours a day, three days a week, to help minimize 'brain drain' that happens over summer. During his time at boot camp, Jay and I can do things we enjoy doing - just us girls! And while Jay is at ballet class, Nas and I can do our thing, it works out pretty well!

My goal in summer planning for the kids is to allow them time apart because, obviously, they'll have plenty of time together. If you've spent an entire summer at home with your kids you know that the time together piece can get very tiring and tedious for everyone. I'm hoping a little planning will get us through the kids' time off from school without too much headache - it is, after all, SUMMER!