A Week in Review

After making our summer bucket list (see previous post), I decided to put to good use something I pinned on Pinterest.  It was a way to theme each weekday through the summer to provide a little structure and loads of fun.  We've loved it so far. . .

Make Something Monday:
Craft time!  This is perfect since Monday is usually our stay-at-home and clean/grocery day.  I let Cole pick the project (I have tons of art books, or he just makes something up :)) and we get busy.  Cade has joined us a few times, but. . . well. . . let's just say that craft time is not for this 14 month old.

Making a paper plate collage  

First time coloring

Would rather eat the crayons

Mad that Mommy took away the crayons

Seeing what else he can grab

Our masterpieces!

One of Cole's favorites - our homemade Memory game  

Using magazines to find similar pictures

Glued the pictures to our cut index cards

Let's Play!

Time to Read Tuesday:
We signed up for summer reading at the local library and have enjoyed both reading and the monthly kid activities hosted by the venue.  Cole has almost completed his summer reading list, is learning how to look up books by catalog number, and has begun reading The Magic Treehouse chapter book series. At 1:30 on Tuesdays, our library also offers a program for K-6 grade focusing on the star/galaxy 'Dream Big' summer theme.  This past week, we learned about constellations and made a star finder.
And can I just say that the fact that Cole can now attend these 'older' programs made me tear up a little.  Gettin' big. . .


What's Cooking Wednesday:
Cole LOVES to help me in the kitchen, so this was perfect for us :)  He's got a couple of kid cookbooks and I also add my ideas every once in awhile.  We've made snack mix, mini fruit pizzas, peanut butter bites (YUM!), and a delicious dip (thank you Pinterest).  Next on the agenda is cake pops - oh boy!

Thinking of Others Thursday:
I want my boys to be mindful of others and teaching them to serve is the perfect way to enhance this trait.  We've written thank-you notes, 'thinking of you' cards, made a gift for Daddy, and visited the Crisis Pregnancy Center.  The week of July 4th, Morningside Assisted Living is having a parade and we're hoping to participate.  Decorated wagon and all :)

Fun Friday:
A planned fun, out-of-the-house activity.  Usually playdates, park picnics, cookouts, swimming, etc.  This Friday is K-1 Kidz Camp at church. . . Cole is super excited!

Hope you are enjoying summer as much as we are!    

Summer Bucket List

Along with our yearly/monthly goals, we sat down as a family in May and wrote our wants/to-dos for the summer.  Hard to believe it's already the end of June - we better get busy!

* book a vacation (headed to the beach in August!)
* make our own spray chalk
* fly a kite
* choose/order homeschool curriculum (almost complete)
* attend a Sounds baseball game (sent Michael and Cole for Father's Day, but they were rained out.  Cole earned another ticket through summer reading, so the three of us will head back in July!)
* catch fireflies
* build our own car wash
* putt-putt golfing
* shoot fireworks
* nature scavenger hunt at a local park (Bledsoe Creek would be fun)
* visit Chattanooga
* picnic in the backyard
* play/explore Cages Bend campground
* complete an art project at least once a week (our 'Make Something Mondays')
* sign up for summer reading (our 'Time to Read Tuesdays' at the library)
* begin reading a chapter book series (Cole's chosen The Magic Tree House)
* tag clothes for fall consignment (they're organized. . . does that count?)
* memorize a favorite passage of Scripture (all three of us)
* learn how to ride bike (Cole)
* pick strawberries
* pick blackberries/blueberries
* swim lessons for Cole
* visit the zoo - renew membership
* build a fort and watch a movie
* Cheekwood Treehouse Exhibit
* watch Ice Age 3 in 3D
* share Jesus with our lost neighbors (a continual task that will never be crossed off the list.  The Lord is moving!)
* visit Nashville Shores
* make our own bubbles
* go swimming
* plan a trip to Louisville to visit friends (in the works!)
* purchase a swing set for the backyard (our neighbor just built one and cemented it right beside our driveway.  That counts. . . right?)
* head to the Discovery Museum in M'boro
* visit Cumberland Park in Nashville
* camp out in the backyard
* order pictures for the living room and Cade's room

Treehouse Anyone?

Michael surprised the boys and I one afternoon by taking off work and whisking us away to Cheekwood to explore their summer Treehouse Exhibit.  We had never been to this botanical garden/museum, and were drawn to the beauty of it all.  Such a lovely day to enjoy a beautiful place!

The Color Garden

There were seven treehouses - all themed around a piece of literature.  I think Michael and I had just as much (or more) fun as the boys.

#1 - The Giver

 A book that I totally recommend for middle school and up.  Read it in college and LOVED it.

A world of gray transitions to a one full of color

#2 - The Jolly Roger

Every little boy's dream - a cool pirate ship with LOTS of neat gadgets

Captain Cole with his pirate face

  #3 - Walden House

Cole's favorite.  He enjoyed making me a salad and swinging underneath 

Cole enjoyed cooking

Cade enjoyed eating tree bark

 #3 - Conch House

I loved the creativity of this design 

Included a sand box 

Lovin' the rain sticks

You could slide down the shell and climb out at the bottom

Passing by the museum.  I'd love to go back and take a tour.

Washing off sand in a nearby stream

 #5 - A Hobbit's Tale

Best slide award.  We ALL loved it :) 

 #6 - The Rainbow Fish

Sweet story of kindness, giving, and loving others as yourself.  I also loved how they used CDs w/ zip ties to create the scales.  Genius!

Climbing inside, taking a peek out of the eyes 

Love Cole's pose

 #7 - Ocean of Notions 

Haven't read this one.  Cool set-up, but the open bridge to the water did freak me out a bit.  Especially with bigger kiddos running to and fro with very little attention to the littles.   

Strolling through one more garden before heading home

Lovely