Our Summer Schedule - That We're Pretty Undependable at Following

Monday: Art day

Tuesday: Movie day

Wednesday: Swim day

Thursday: Activity outside/Service day

Friday: Friend day

Thus far we are mediocre at sticking to this plan. 

Luckily, we are really great at forgiving ourselves.

Before any fun or electronics can occur though my kids must tidy their rooms, put laundry away, do one chore, look and smell presentable, and read for twenty minutes. Once a week they must read a non-fiction book as well and then write a short summary about it.

This sometimes occurs. :)

Last week we implemented some changes and decided that T-F one of the kids would be in charge of overseeing chores instead of me.

It was incredible.

No more whining to the mother. 

Granted, they tried, but I just shipped them off to whoever was the Overseer that day.

Go whine to them my friends.

My hope is that it'll encourage them to:

1. Recognize what good work looks like

2. Understand why whining is super lame

3. Help them feel responsible and learn how to manage kindly

We shall see.

Here are some pictures of our summer fun when we occasionally stick to the schedule... or not:

Swimming:

Ruckus pulling the "chariot" for one of our pals.

Okay, this has nothing to do with anything except it did happen on a summer day. Sweetrotten asked me to curl her hair and then she  admired her glorious self in the mirror for about an hour afterward.

This happened near the pool... so maybe that constitutes as Wednesday Swim Day except it happened on a Thursday. 

Raingutter Regatta:

Lou steals the win! Love that smile.

Brothers racing against one another.

Go Ruckus!

The sail designs speak oodles about their different personalities. 

Art Day - 

and confession, almost everyday around here is art day.

That's what happens when your kids are artsy fartsy.

Have you ever done raised salt painting? It's super simple and all of my people love it. My only advice is to spray it with an adhesive afterward.  

Here's one of Little C looking handsome. This has nothing to do with the schedule, he's just a cutie.

One day (not sure if it was Friend Day) I went out to lunch with my Daddio. I was having a hard time getting my straw to work. 

I guess that's what happens when your dad ties a knot in the bottom of it. Little stinker. :)

Another art day (which we've established is basically everyday) my children chose to make wands. Later, after the wands were completed, I found them choreographing some dance moves with their new props. 

Sitting on the swing in my parents backyard with some of my babies should be on the schedule everyday.

Plus, green is my color.

I love those little hands resting on my knee.

Getting out the tinfoil Sweetrotten shoved up her nose was definitely not on the schedule, but we got 'er done.

Friend Day:

We met up with my dear friend Abby (who I've known since Kindergarten) and her chillens at the park. 

We played for hours.

Happy Summer Faces

Another fun Friend Day for me!

 This is Camille who became my best friend in 4th grade. 

It warms my heart that our children are pals now.

And if it's not on your schedule (because it wasn't on ours) make a little time for your mom to put lipstick on your daughter after enjoying a wonderful lunch together. 

Witnessing this will bring you more joy than adhering to a perfect schedule any day of the week.