List of Summer Activities Post #1

I told the kids we were going to discuss and make our "Summer Bucket List." One or more of them vaguely knew what a "bucket list" was - they'd heard of it before. But they wanted further explanation. I explained that a bucket list includes the things you want to do before you die. It was met with reactions such as, "What?! We're going to die?! What do you mean?" Ultimately, I said, "Let's just call it our List of Summer Activities."

Rather than post our list, I'll post the activities as we complete them.

The middle kids were out of school a full week before their oldest brother (who got to celebrate his June birthday at school the day before school was out).

The day after those two were out of school, I gave them their first summer reading bag which contained an assortment of books I'd been finding cheaply here and there and putting away. And they started their summer reading logs. My kids like books, but they need a little motivation and encouragement to follow through.

 

After we picked Tornado up from school, we headed for lunch at Kaleisia Tea Lounge, one of my favorite places in Tampa. We brought our books and sat in the quiet room where you take off your shoes and sit on the floor. We were only able to do this because Baby (Toddler) Brother was at his preschool (which he attends a day or two a week) at the time. I wish we could sip tea and read books at Kaleisia Tea Lounge every day.



Finally, summer for all officially began on Monday the 9th when Tornado was dismissed at 11:30 a.m. I was ready for a break from being on the road every day picking up kids at designated times.

 

We chose another lunch date to celebrate summer, this time at Fresh, Healthy Café at The Shops at Wiregrass, a fun spot to eat, shop, sit, or walk around. The kids hadn't eaten there before, and it was a huge hit.

 





We joined in on a local homeschool group's park day one day this week. It was hot out! That's Little One carrying a large stick like it's a weapon. He is all about making "q, q" (gun?) sounds while attacking us with his stick or toy of the day.

 

Sis made a friend, and I caught this glimpse of them playing princess (Sis was Anna, and her friend was Elsa.) under this tree.

We also joined the group for a Pokémon party one day, which consisted of a couple of hours of Pokémon games and card trading. Tornado enjoyed making deals with people even though he really isn't that interested in Pokémon.

The whole Pokémon thing is beyond my comprehension, but it was nice for them to share their interest with other kids (who had huge binders full of cards versus my kids' measly sandwich baggies full). They had been looking forward to this play date for weeks.