Keeping summer minds active

Let them run, get dirty, stay up late, sleep in, eat s'mores, and just be kids! Summer is pretty fantastic in so many ways!  However, doing work that looks like school can be a total drag.  I am taking a new approach this summer.  I am throwing out the workbooks [actually I just didn't buy them] and being more creative.  I thought I would share my new approach with you.

Here are few [fun] summer learning ideas to keep their minds active:

//Board Games//
Scrabble- Builds spelling, creativity & strategy, math skills. 
Rummikube-  Builds problem solving and math skills
Apples to Apples - Excellent game to build vocabulary and practice reading. 
Balderdash - Players must use language creatively to create a definition of an unknown word. 

//Reading//
Books on CD- My oldest loves to listen to novels on CD. He enjoys the narrators. Look for them at your local library for check out.  It is a great way to spend a lazy afternoon. [Picture books are also available with CD recordings!]

TumbleBooks - eBooks online.  We have access to TumbleBooks through our county library system.  Ask if your library has TumbleBooks or something similar.

Read a book/Watch the movie - Don't you love to read a book and then see the movie?  So do kids!  The possibilities are endless.  Hoot was the last book/movie combo Big W completed. 

//Math//
Roll coins old school style.  Grab some paper wrappers from the bank, give your kids your spare change jar, and get counting.  Perfect for skip counting practice and coin recognition.  Who needs Coinstar?  We've got kids!

Cool Math games  An amazing assortment of math games.  Little Man would play for hours if I let him!

Bake from scratch.  On a cool day [or any day of you have A/C], bake something from scratch.  Recipes reinforce following directions and the understanding of fractions. 

//Writing//
All about Me- A wonderful keepsake!  Kids fill in the pages all about themselves!

Send postcards. - Sadly, many kids don't have many opportunities to send mail.  Don't wait to go on vacation.  Find a few postcards at the local drugstore, write a quick message and address it.  Great practice for writing addresses in the correct form.

Start a Blogger blog. - Yes!  Kids can have blogs too.  They are easy to set up and free.  Any topic can work for a blog as long is the writer is passionate about the subject.  My kids write about their summer adventures.

Story Stones - Stones with images help kids tell or write a story.  You could make your own or purchase these incredibly cute hand painted stones.  [I think they would be a great gift!]

//Creativity//
Ed Emberly - These learn to draw books are perfect for kids [and grown ups].  They are so easy to follow and kids feel successful right away.

Creative Haven Coloring Book- These graphically beautiful coloring books are amazing for older kids.  Believe me, they still love to color.

Doodle Books  - Ever heard, "I don't know what to draw?"  The doodle books help kids get their pictures started with a few lines already on the page and a prompt on how to finish the drawing.  Hours of fun!

Create a photo book - Let your kids take pictures throughout the summer and help them make a keepsake photo book. 

LEGOS- This link is to a blog that presents 52 LEGO challenges. It includes challenges to build a bridge, a playground, and a flag.

//iPad Apps//
Where's My Water? 
Where's My Perry?    
Stack the States
Mathmateer 
Word Bingo  

{image via  }

Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

It is a birthday week around here!  My husband and oldest son share a birthday [yes, the exact same day!], so we spread the celebrations out.  Big W request a simply yellow cake with vanilla frosting for his party with his friends.  I vowed, after making a chocolate cake from scratch, never to do it again!  Why go through all that trouble when there is a perfectly good mix in a box? Instead, I would spend extra time on homemade frosting and the decorating. 

I realized quickly into the decorating process that replicating this cake was going to be harder than I thought.  A LOT, harder in fact!  Knowing that nine and ten year old boys weren't even going to notice a perfectly designed cake, I made a quick adjustment and just frosted it simply.

While it wasn't the most beautiful creation, the frosting itself was divine!  I kid you not!  If you are making a cake or cupcakes in the near future, you must give it a try.  This recipe from Magnolia Bakery is worth the splurge in calories.  It is easy to make with four simple ingredients.  It will not disappoint! 

Vanilla Buttercream Frosting [recipe from Magnolia Bakery]

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 6 to 8 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  
  
  In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine butter, 4 cups sugar, milk, and vanilla. Beat on medium speed until smooth and creamy, 3 to 5 minutes. Gradually add remaining sugar, 1 cup at a time, beating for about 2 minutes after each addition, until icing reaches desired consistency; you may not need to add all the sugar. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

to celebrate a father.

My boys are the lucky ones.  They have a dad who loves them unconditionally.  It's that simple.  A man in their corner.  A coach in the dug out.  An instructor on the slopes.  A fan in the audience.  An amazing role model with a loving heart.  They may not realize it now, but one day........

What are your Father's Day plans?

My husband asked for help cleaning his office.  We can do that!  I do have a few other tricks up my sleeve.  And of course, he chooses the menu.  His favorite chips n' fish and salted brown butter rice crispie treats will be served Sunday evening.  I am hoping I can convince him to head to the Farmer's Market if I surprise him with Swedish Pancakes in the morning.  I am looking forward to a fabulous weekend!

a first day. a last day.

[first day.  Fall 2010]

This little guy had squeezable cheeks, no glasses and awesome style! [I truly loved it when I got to dress my guys.  I made sure they looked hip, but I digress.]  He was eager to be at school like his big brother and ready to make some of his own friends. 

[end of year party. June '13]

This little man finishes Kindergarten today and is officially a big kid in my eyes.  Finally, the last day!  He complained each day, including every day this week, about school.  Too long [6 1/2 hours] and too much work [40 pages of work sometimes!].  He may exaggerate just a bit, but he never wavered on his feelings toward school.  He is nothing but consistent.  In spite of himself, he grew leaps and bounds this year.  He even learned to read, but chooses to hide it.  We call him "the super secret reader".  He is such an amazing kid in so many ways, but school isn't his thing.  It may never be.  I find that sad and disheartening and so desperately want to change his mind.

I was once asked to give one of my dearest friends advice at her baby shower.  I advised, "Love her for who she is, not who you thought she would be."  I have decided to follow my own advice.   Hank is set in his ways, emotional, and quick tempered.  Not always easy to manage, but witty and funny.  I love to be around him and will defend him to the end of my days.  I often go in his room at night and watch him sleep.  He is content, safe, and still so, so little. I can't change who he is, so I will try and help him become the best version of himself. 

Parenting.  Firsts, lasts, and everything in between.  It is quite the ride and never know what to expect.  Here's to the next first!

A hand written thank you

I am taking a moment to write thank you notes for my boys' teachers.  I know that many parents, usually moms, freak out about what to give a teacher at the end of the year.  Some spending hours and hours on craft projects and keepsakes.  From my 10 years as an elementary school teacher, the hand written notes are actually the gifts I treasure the most.  Each of them include heartfelt words that express gratitude and explain the ways in which I touched their child's life.  These are things you don't hear everyday in the classroom.  Many times I had no idea the impact I had on children and their families.  It was touching to read their kind words at the end of a long school year.   I have many tucked away for safe keeping.  I make a point every year to write a note and personally hand it to my sons' teachers.   [I usually tuck a gift card inside because one person can only have so many coffee mugs.]

If your child's school year has not yet ended, take a minute and thank a teacher in your own way.  Believe me, a card can be enough.

I found this adorable thank you card at my local bookstore.  I loved the anchor as ode to summer. 
The Brush & Mallett has creative hand drawn greeting cards [made here in Seattle] for every occasion.  Check out their website or their Etsy store.

recently inspired by....

1.  Scenes from the Amalfi Coast of Italy spark excitement for trip we are planning next year.  This girl is finally going to make it to my grandfathers' homeland.

2.  I swoon for this gold foil phone case.  If only I had an iPhone 5.  Time for an upgrade?

3.  School is out for summer in three days!  That will mark the official start to patio lounging.  These outdoor poufs are the perfect new addition to our backyard.  Great for extra seating or putting your feet up. 

4.  My husband turns 40 next week and this Fujifilm Instax Instant Film Camera will be a fantastic way to capture the fun at his party, without the high cost of a photo booth. 

5. These American Flag Aviators are perfection at least one day of the year.  At $14.00 you can rock them on The 4th of July and then put them away for 365 days without feeling guilty. 

6.  Don't Quit Your Day Dream.  I love this and I am adopting it as my new mantra.  I will be launching a brand new Where is June? I am anxious, nervous, excited and hopeful.

You can find inspiration just about anywhere. How lovely to be able to collect and share!

Follow me on Pinterest. 

s'mores

Back yard fire pits and campfires call out for roasted marshmallows and s'mores.  The one thing I have never liked about the classic s'more [graham cracker, Hershey bar square, and marshmallow] is that the chocolate doesn't melt fully and it makes it difficult to eat.  This weekend we tried out a new spin on the s'more.  Instead of the traditional graham cracker, we used Keebler's Fudge Stripe Cookies.  There is already a layer of chocolate, so all you need is the roasted marshmallow.  The chocolate layer melts quickly, which makes it extra gooey.  To say they were a huge hit would be an understatement.  They were devoured by kids and adults alike.  So, it got me to thinking.  Any cookie with a layer of chocolate would make a delicious alternative s'more.

[keebler's fudge stripe cookie s'more]

[milano slices sweet toffee cookie s'more]

The Milano cookie has sweet toffee pieces in with the chocolate!  They also have a Milano cookie with salty pretzel pieces.  Oh my, the possibilities are endless.

Any other ideas for a spin on the classic s'more?   I'd love to hear them!  

Happy Roasting.