Marvelous Monday: Summer Reading - Free downloadable books

Summer is a great time to pick up a book and read at leisure while your children nap (if they are still napping age) or after the little ones go to bed at night or you have returned home after a long day at the office and the house is quiet as your family dreams of sugar plums or sprinker time fun. 

I recently came upon amazing Christian fiction author Elizabeth Musser and devoured her recent release The Sweetest Thing.  This is one of the best books I have EVER READ.  This month on amazon you can download a copy of one of her earlier releases called The Swan House. 

From Publishers Weekly

This beautiful story of a young girl coming of age in the midst of racial turmoil and personal tragedy in 1960s Atlanta convincingly describes how religious faith satisfies the girl's deepest longings. Sixteen-year-old Mary Swan Middleton is white, wealthy and privileged "We are, of course, another fine Atlanta family," she says sarcastically. As the novel opens, her artistic and depressed mother has just been killed in an air crash in Paris, leaving a slew of secrets behind. As Mary Swan unlocks the past, she wrestles with her grief over her mother's death and the direction of her own life. But "the Lawd don't neva' waste our pain," says her wise African-American maid, Ella Mae. When Mary Swan begins volunteering with the poor, she falls in love with a handsome black teen, Carl. As she works through her confusion about her feelings for him and her despair over her mother, she finds her true calling as a painter and reformulates her preconceived ideas about race and faith. This creative novel is highly descriptive but not overdone, brimming with touches of humor, factual Atlanta settings, historical incidents and well-developed characters. Some tightening of overlong passages would have accelerated the pace, and the novel would stand on its own more effectively without the introduction and the epilogue, which mostly function as advertisements for a sequel. But these are minor glitches in a book that stands out in recent Christian fiction for its excellent writing and overall quality.
Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Follow the link here to secure your copy free of charge (only through June).

You do not need to have an ereader to read downloadable books.  For an informative article that tells you how to read them go here.  One of the publishing groups that I have found to publish highly credible work is Tyndale Publishing.  I recently discovered that each month they offer several of their books to download for free.  Tyndale is offering four books in June only  and one is specifically geared towards tweens and teen girls so if you have one in your household it may be a nice addition to their summer reading.  Hurry over here to see what is being offered this month and if something looks appealing take a minute to download your selection(s)  before we enter July.

Happy Monday and Happy Reading,

Caroline

Summer Activity List Ideas

Yesterday the post focused on creating a Summer List as a focal point to utilize family time during the summer months. 

Below please find some ideas to consider for your personal list.  Remember, have some fun, educational, spiritual and serving items to do together.  These are merely ideas.

Do what appeals to your family with as few or as many as desired.

Eat dinner outside
Go to the ocean
Visit a local museum
Visit a zoo
Play miniature golf
Go bowling
Boat trip
Visit a water park
Visit a splash pad
Watch a movie outside
Go camping
Camp in the living room
Attend a concert
Wash family cars together and get wet on purpose!
Go out for ice/cream or frozen yogurt
Water balloon fights
Catch fireflies
Paint outside
Get a slurpee
Bubbles outside
Sprinkler fun
Chalk writing in the driveway
Window writing (use window pens)
Have a grill night
Morning walk
Paint crayon rocks
Library time
Shaving cream fight
Drive Daddy to work and have breakfast
Bike riding
Spend night at local hotel
Learn a new board game
Have a game night
Press flowers
Document one day in photographs from start to end
Go out for breakfast
Visit a relative and take lots of photographs of your time together
Complete reading program at local library or one of the local bookstores
Go fishing
Learn a new joke
Memorize scripture
Hopscotch on bubble wrap
Get Chinese take-out
Create homemade t-shirts
Send photographs to loved ones
Write postcards to loved ones
Vacation Bible School
Skype someone
Write to some missionaries
Make treats for neighbors and deliver as a family
Make treats for the local fire station and deliver as a family
Prepare boxes for Operation Christmas Child
Have a silly string fight (outside)
Try a new vegetable
Try a new fruit
Have a scavenger hunt
4th of July Parade
Have a GIANT family sundae
Surprise Dad at work for lunch
Go on a surprise picnic after church or one evening
Fly a kite
Visit a new restaurant
Go on a secret destination (surprise outing night)
Have a garage sale
Go garage sale hunting
Indoor picnic on the living room floor
Unbirthday party
Breakfast for dinner
Baking time with Mom
Date nights with Mom/Dad
Frisbee
S'mores
Go to a candy store and let each child select a special treat

Make lots of fun memories this summer!  Please share your ideas in the comments.

Blessings,

Caroline

Train Up Tuesday: Summer List 2011

A friend from University posted a fabulous idea on Facebook  regarding a Summer List.  Sunday night we had a family meet to discuss our summer wish list.  We asked the boys what they would love to do this summer and also some things we could do for others.  Our family meeting list is now our Summer List 2011 which is now on the back of our front door.

This is our first year to incorporate a Summer List, however, I ran with the idea based on the fact that lists inspire me. It is a visual for my boys to see the fun that we have in store during summer break.  It will serve as a reminder to set aside time for  activities that are important to each family member which will become memories treasured in our heart.

Think of activities that can be in the following categories:

1.  Spiritual
2.  Educational

3.  Fun

4.  Service

The list can be on a board or just on a sheet of notebook paper.  Remember, you don't have to accomplish everything on your list, just do what is achievable and hopefully many items on your list will make a return appearance in 2012.

Tomorrow I will post some ideas to get you going on your own personal list.

Happy Summer Sisters,

Caroline

Thrifty Thursday: Summer Reading With Children

It's no secret that coming up with entertainment for the long days of summer can be a challenge to many moms. Caroline has some GREAT tips on how to provide educational, fun entertainment through READING! Thankfully, it can often be acheived at minimal or even no cost thanks to her great program suggestions.

No man can be called friendless who has God and the companionship of good books.  ~Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Many schools have already completed the school year and the summer schedule is in progress.  At the start of summer it seems like there are many weeks to enjoy one another, however, my experience is that it seems like a blink and then my precious ones are back in school.

My children are still fairly young (6 and 8) and to instill in them the love of reading I provide every possible incentive available.  We had great fun last summer doing our Library Summer Reading Program and also participated in Barnes and Noble and Borders.  Click here for a list of programs available.  They are free to join and you can print the form at home.  What a sense of accomplishment to go to the store with a completed sheet of the books read and be able to select a FREE book to add to your own personal library.  Also, create awards for reading a set amount of minutes per week and permit your child to select from the award options.  Make it fun such as frozen yogurt date out, make your own sundae night at home or even staying up an extra 30 minutes.  The key is to make reading fun and provide incentives that will motivate the personality of your individual child.

Our school participates in AR Reading (Accelerated Reader).  If you are a homeschooling family or your school does not use AR the website can still be a great resource.  Click here to go the website and select parent.  You don't have to register or provide any personal information to research books at the desired reading level.  I then make a list of what appeals to my children and is in their reading range and via my online library account  request the books.  I put a post it in the inside cover of each book with the reading level and place in a book basket.  This secures my boys are reading books that keep them challenged, however, are also at their personal ability level.  I purchased the baskets on sale at my local Hobby Lobby and placed a tag with their name on each one, thus, giving them a sense of ownership.  The books stay in the basket when not being read which also aids in getting them returned to the library on time.

Happy reading sweet sisters!  Stay turned because this summer I will also be sharing my personal recommendations for great reading for the lady of the house.

TV.  If kids are entertained by two letters, imagine the fun they'll have with twenty-six.  Open your child's imagination.  Open a book.  ~Author Unknown

Train Up Tuesday: An "Unholiday"

Did you come up with a way to beautify your view last week? (let us know the ideas your kids had!)

This week, if you're looking for an activity, consider going through your holiday idea list. You may know I love to do Advent countdown for Christmas, but I declare, even with a list and a schedule, you just don't always get to everything (and that's a GOOD thing...we all need a little flexibility). Maybe you have a craft, a recipe, or activity you didn't get to during a holiday (Christmas, Easter, Valentine's, anything). Who says you have to wait until the next time it comes around? I promise that your kids won't really care.

We did just that recently. I had purchased a Snoopy "holiday" cookie kit at Hobby Lobby on 50% off (don't sweat it, the ingredients in the box were still okay ;-). So, the boys and I did a little "unholiday" baking!

A little butter for the cookies (and a taste for this little guy!)

His first time cracking an egg...what are the CHANCES that I'd get THIS shot?!

Rolling out the dough..

Pressing out the cookie...

Time to decorate!

And being the Snoopy lover that I am, I HAD to decorate one, too!

I call it "Snoopy with a side of sunburn". Hey, who said the "unholiday" baking had to look so "holidayish"?!

So what "unholiday" ideas would get your kids excited? Ask them, and then post their favorites here!

Have fun!
Ashlie

Train Up Tuesday: Summer Kick-Off!

Hey gals!

Well, although it isn't "officially" summer, I'm sure most of you have children who are out for the summer (or at least will be within the next 2 weeks?). Even though summertime holds some of my favorite moments, I know that it can be easy to fall into a summertime "rut" this day and age. (Is it just me or does it seem like kids have more "to do" and play with than ever, yet STILL manage to get "bored"?)

Hopefully, we'll be able to provide some ideas as well as specific activities to help bring a smile each week :)

This week, think about enjoying what's out your window (an idea I swiped from "Large Family Logistics"). Seriously, take a moment with your child(ren) and look out a window (i.e. his bedroom window, a living room window, or wherever you most often look out). Ask your child what they see, what they like seeing, and then how they think they could make it more beautiful. Maybe they like the flowers in a neighbors yard. Perhaps you could plant some annuals around the tree he sees through his favorite window. Maybe she has a favorite tree she likes to sit under. Perhaps you could work on building a swing for the tree.

At our home, we've really enjoyed watching the birds fly into our yard and peck at the birdseed cakes. My boys and I had a great time recently, making a wonderful gift for our fine feathered friends. We combined a couple of really great ideas: The Perfect Pinecone and a Bird Nest Helper. Honestly, it's not that I'm THAT creative...I'm just a resourceful idea thief (and shameless at that). We had received a bird feeder kit as a birthday gift that contained the peanut butter, the seeds, and instead of a pinecone, a grapevine ball. So, with thanks to all the idea givers ;-), here we go:

First you need scraps of fabric, string, and such...

Cram the grapevine ball with your helpful nesting scraps

Next, get your jar of peanut butter (we were lucky to have received the really good Whipped stuff)...

He ESPECIALLY thought it was the good stuff ;-)

Fortunately, most of the peanut butter made it onto the ball!

Next, you'll need some birdseed

Now, enjoy sprinkling the ball, rolling it around in the birdseed

Finally you can hang it on a favorite tree and enjoy the "visitors"

Honestly, we are still waiting to see our feathery friends. I find that it usually takes them a couple of weeks to warm up to the notion of whatever birdseed we put out. Odd?

So, what ideas can you and your kids come up with for changing what you see out the window of your home? Be creative! What about those of you who live in 2nd story apartments or have some other "limitations"? I'd love to hear your ideas!

Have a happy week,
Ashlie

Free-for-all Friday: Road Trip Survival 101

Yesterday was my childs...

It's officially SUMMAHTIME (at least, for us). It's also a LONG weekend and there was no better way to kick it off than sitting down last night for BLT's after a day in the HOT sun topped off with a Bruester's Ice Cream celebration. Just the beginning of barefeet, smell of fresh cut grass, sound of kids playing outside, bounty of produce from the garden, days at the pool, road trips..... Love me some summer in the South!


Speaking of road trips, many of you are probably headed out somewhere for the weekend. If not this weekend, I've heard of lots of people hittin the beach as soon as their own school gets out. You don't wanna forget Angela's road trip survival kit for your sweet lil car riders!

When my boys were 3 and 6 months, we took a car trip to visit family and it was a nightmare! An 8 hour trip took 10. There was screaming, throwing, spills, and when we arrived to our destination, I was worn out, had a pain in my neck and I wanted to run away and scream! I didn't have a plan. My boys are now 6 yrs and 3 yrs old. Car trips are still a challenge, but they are much better because we have a PLAN! 

Our family has several big trips this summer. Lots of weddings and visiting family. A few of them are 8 hours or more. I love the dvd player in the car, but I really don't want my kids watching non-stop dvd's the entire time. Not that there is anything wrong with it, but they get cranky after all that tv. My HUSBAND came up with this clever little idea for my boys for the car. It's BRILLIANT! (Man, I really wish I had come up with it.) But, I decorated them. Yep, eh! :)

1. Travel Tubs:
Each of my boys have their very own tub. I drew some of their favorite themes on the tops. I took them to each of their rooms and let them pick a few toys and I put some inexpensive NEW surprises in there too. Yes, that is a PEOPLE magazine of Zack and Cody in Will's box. He loves that show. There are some activity books, a new box of crayons (Crayola $1.14 at Wal-mart), action figures, etc. I didn't let them open their boxes until after they ate their breakfast in the car. The anticipation made it more fun!

2. A CAR SCHEDULE!!!

Yes, I wrote out a schedule. My sister n law gave me this idea. This helped me SO MUCH on a recent trip. I found my boys asking me..."Mom, what's next on our list?" When I gave them allotted time for an activity, they were much more likely to finish it and not get bored. And, bonus, we didn't have the dvd players on all day. 

3. Honest Kids Juice
I'm a huge fan of these juice drinks. They are 100% natural, and VERY LOW IN SUGAR! They are high in antioxidants and have fruits like pomegranate. These 2 things do not go together: being cooped up in a car and sugar. They do not mix! These handy fruit drinks keep my kids hydrated and we don't spend the extra money on drinks through the drive thru's.

Be safe in your travels this summer! Happy Trails!

Love, Angela

Train Up Tuesday: The Rewards of Reading

I hope that your summer is off to a great start! Reading any great books with the kids yet? Like we mentioned 2 weeks ago, summer time provides great opportunities for reading because of the time available and because the library and other programs offer various incentives for reading. Plus, it gives a good reason to stay in the cool indoors, by the pool, or in the shade if it is as hot where you are as it is where I am!

There are SOOOOOooooo many reward programs out there that I couldn’t begin to cover them all. Be sure to check out your local library, bookstores (both chain and independent), restaurants, and even some banks.

Here are a few that I have come across:

Barnes and Noble, as usual, has their summer reading program kicked off (May through early September 2010) in the form of a Passport. Download the form, tracking which books you read (and places you “visit” in each book). After 8 books, return the form to a B&N bookstore to choose a free book from the list. Also, participants are entered to win a autographed copy of complete set of The 39 Clues books. There are also parent/child activities you can download on this site.

Scholastic not only has several helpful articles and reading lists to help parents encourage their young readers, but the also have a summer reading challenge for 3-7 and 7 and up. The challenge for 7 and up readers involves logging minutes online to help their schools break the “world record”. The top 20 schools will be recognized in a “Scholastic Book of World Records”. The site also has other interactive opportunities for both age groups.

In addition to other rewards programs throughout the year, Chuck E. Cheese has a new “reading rewards” program. If kids read everyday for 2 weeks, they earn 10 tokens (with a pizza purchase).

Pizza Hut sponsors a Book It program for ages K-6 with readers earning a chance to be entered into a prize drawing. Check them out for more details: bookitprogram.com.

Even Pottery Barn Kids has a special offer for kids who attend their bookclub (Tuesdays)!

In the northeastern part of the country, TD Bank has reward of $10 if young readers complete 10 books.

Some parts of the country (mostly the west/mid-west) offer a $3 gift card through Half Priced Books for each week that children 14 and under read for at least 15 minutes a day (good through July 31, 2010)!

You don’t have to plug into a reading program to reward reading, however. Reading should be its own reward. It enhances imaginations, takes you to other places, develops vocabulary and a world of other ideas and opportunities. However, if that isn’t motivation enough, come up with your own motivators. Be involved in reading with your child (if they will let you). Find or create activities based on stories that they are reading and love. Scholastic has a few good articles you may want to consider, especially this one.

If you have any ideas that you are using or have come across, please share them with us!

Happy reading!
Ashlie

Train Up Tuesday: Summer Reading for and with Your Kids

The “official” date for summer is still a couple weeks away, but unofficially, it’s probably already summer for you. Many kids are out of school and family vacations are well underway! Summer is a favorite time for reading - extended vacation times, special library or other incentive programs (more on that later this month), and a desire to nurture little brains so they don’t turn to mush being out of the school routine. :)

Thanks to those who have contributed to our lists of suggested books! This week, we offer reading for children.

First, I’ll share a few favorite series:

• Anything by Eric Carle. Your child probably already recognizes his work, even if you aren’t familiar with his name. His illustrations/art is spectacular. You may be most familiar with “The Very Hungry Caterpillar”. Here is a list of his work. My oldest really likes “Pancake Pancake” while my youngest really enjoys “10 Little Rubber Ducks”. Other than his use of color, the thing I really like about his books is that they are available in easy reader, large versions and also small, board book versions that are splendid for toddlers. You’ll also want to check out The Caterpillar Exchange, which provides some great activities and crafts suggested and tried by teachers, librarians, and other learning enthusiasts.

• Charlie & Lola by Lauren Child (who also wrote the “Clarice Bean” series). You may recognize these characters if you have the Disney Channel. We were introduced to these characters in this way, but now we go after the books instead! They are so fun to read (especially if you use a British accent, as the characters do) :) Our favorites are probably “I Will Not Ever Never Eat a Tomato” (great for those of us with picky eaters), and “Snow is My Favorite and My Best”...though, to be honest, it is difficult to narrow our favorites down to two in this series. The illustrations are also great and the stories sound like dialogue you may actually hear from your little ones.

• Clifford (as in the “big red dog”) by Norman Bridwell - this suggestion was given by a young teacher who works with young children. I checked out a few recently for my boys. They recognized the lead character from the PBS tv series. The plus about reading a series with a tv adaptation is that you can find great supplemental activities online, too! I’m always up for activities that help to make any learning experience a multi-sensory one. Check out PBS's site as well as Scholastic's for great ideas.
  

• Curious George. Although this character has become wildly popular due to recent movies, tv shows and merchandising, it all began with simple books written by Hans Augusto Rey and Margret Rey. Because George is curious, reading these books provides great opportunities to talk about figuring things out....something you can do with your child. The PBS show’s site also provides great science based activities in the way of videos launched by the show episodes. There are also games, printables, and even lesson plans (under the “teachers” tab) to enhance learning experiences.

• Franklin the Turtle (who also has a tv series based on his character) is a charming book series, as well. This series, written by Paulette Bourgeois, often has great morals. There are also some lesson plans and learning activities out there for this guy, too. Check out Scholastic’s site for more information or links listed here and here.
  

• Skippyjon Jones by Judy Schachner is a series introduced to me by another library-loving mother. The character is quite hilarious - a Siamese kitten with huge ears, thus convincing him that he is actually a Chihuahua (yep, another accent, which I so enjoy using when reading aloud!). The Skippyjon Jones website also has printables, a curriculum connections guide to ALL of the books, English/Spanish activities, as well as many other things you can do while reading these books.

Other reading:

There are so many other suggestions for reading! I would encourage you to start with something they are already interested in. Perhaps it’s trains, fairy tales, or another country. Often, libraries already have a list of suggested reading for popular topics on hand. Be sure to ask!

Also, maybe your child really loves a particular movie (classic or new) that is based on a novel or series. Consider undertaking the task of reading the actual book to them; they will already be familiar with characters, even if the story is different from the movie (and it likely will be). It could be anything from Roald Dahl’s "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" or Lewis Carroll's "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" made popular by recent films to classics like the Mary Poppins series by P.L. Travers or "Where the Red Fern Grows" by Wilson Rawls made popular by some older films.

Although I listed quite a few books made popular by television or film, I don’t want to skip over classic good books. Classical education is strong in this area (reading beyond textbooks and novel excerpts). Here is a list of 1000 Good Books for primary readers which covers just about anything you can imagine (from picture books to advanced primary readers)! Also, for the older child (teens), here are lists of 100 Great Books, covering everything from Ancient & Classical to the American and Modern (and everything in between).

Well, this is just some of what you’ve suggested or what I’ve come across recently. Have you found any good lists or favorite books? Or perhaps you have links to some creative reading enhancement activities. Please share them with us!

-Ashlie

Train Up Tuesday: Oceans of Fun

My family recently went on our family vacation to the beach...with the grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. Such fun times! I love the beach immensely...so much so, that it’s the only time I have to fight back tears upon realizing when the week is over we are heading home.
When we are home, I love anything that reminds me of the ocean...calming colors, additions to our seashell collection, and letting my boys continue to play with their “beach toys” - buckets, shovels, and their findings. Who says they have to be stowed away until the next trip?!

This week I’ll share a few ideas that will keep your mind in sand even if aren’t close to the waters.

We have SEVERAL buckets at our house. Different sizes, shapes, and colors. Some with broken handles :)....those don’t make it back to the beach since they aren’t the easiest to transport...but they are still good for something! One game we have played with our buckets is like the old “Grand Prize Game” from the Bozo Show (did anyone else love watching that part of the show as much as I did as a kid?). Anyway, in case you aren’t familiar with the game, you line up buckets and standing a few inches from the first one, you take turns tossing a ping-pong ball into each successive bucket. Simple enough game, but the little guys seem to enjoy it.


You can also use your buckets for collecting treasures around the yard for for water transfer activities (which can surprisingly entertain toddlers for quite some time). Buckets are also great when you don’t have room or patience for even a kiddie pool.

If you visit a shelly beach or a pebbly beach (which I have grown quite fond of in recent years), be sure to collect a few on each trip. It’s a great way to preserve memories of your vacation, to expand a sensory table or basket, or to use for future crafts and activities. I don’t know what we’re gonna do with all the shells and stones we have collected just in the last 5 years much less as the boys grow up and the collections expand! (Suggestions please)

Don’t just look for the ones you consider “keepers”, either. Broken or worn down shells can be great for art projects, too!


Last year, we painted shells, just for fun. Some of them we used as ornaments for grandparents who came with us on the trip. You can “google” phrases like "seashell art and crafts” and find all sorts of novel and sometimes silly things to do with them! I hope to introduce some of these crafts to my boys this summer.

I’ve noticed that we often have many of the same type of shell depending on the beach we visit. Use it as an opportunity to sort shells by shapes, colors, or sizes.

Chasing Cheerios' blog also has some great ideas for sea shell activities. The shell necklace would be great for those shells that already have holes in them. :)
While you are at the beach, don’t forget to bring home some sand as well. I don’t mean like a truckload (you’d probably get caught). Just a few baggies worth. Sand feels so wonderful between little fingers...and apparently wet sand is great on bellies...


You can use the sand to draw in the sand at home (practicing letters and numbers) or to bury small treasures or the shells you’ve found.

One of my friends and Roof reader (Leighann) share a few fun ideas with me recently - beach in a bottle and beach in a bag. Both activities involve putting sand, shells, toy sea animals, and perhaps water, glitter, and blue food coloring in a container to create your own beach environment. We really enjoyed making ours!

I also came across another beach in a bag sensory activity that I hope to do this week (posting pictures and updating the blog later, too).

I also remember doing another ocean in a bottle activity with some under age 4 kids several years ago. You use a bottle, water, oil, and glitter to create an miniature ocean wave experience.

EverythingPreschool.com has SEVERAL suggestions for beach related games and activities that you’ll want to check out as well.

Are you totally bummed out now because you don’t live near a beach? Don’t sweat it! I’ve found plenty of colored sand as well as shells or pebbles in a basket at places like the Dollar Store or at craft stores. Even if you or your little one haven’t visited a beach, you can still get in on the fun!

I hope you’ve enjoyed some of the suggested activities for Summer Time fun that we’ve explored over the last month! Please share any other ideas you have or links you love.

-Ashlie

Train Up Tuesday: More Fun in the Sun

Well, last week, depending on where you live, you may not have been able to get outside much due to massive amounts of rain! You may still have had fun in the rain, but if it’s dry where you are this week, try the activities we posted last week. :)

Here are a few activities this week for general fun in the sun and enjoying what the outdoors have to offer.

For my family, as soon as the first signs of spring began to appear, it was PICNIC time. You have to love picnics! Messes still get made, but you can often just shake out a blanket and “voila”, all clean! Picnic for lunch and even dinner (let the hubby do the grillin’).

We also love going on walks...especially nature walks. Even if you don’t have a lot of land, you can still go on a nature walk or nature hunt (even if it means visiting a neighbor or relative to use their yard). Collect interesting finds and sort them together into different groups. Make a collection board, basket, or box for your finds. Have fun observing nature....trees, flowers, creatures, and the like.

My oldest son (“Sunshine” as we call him) loves hunting for mushrooms....

and then squashing them!

Look for things that are out of the ordinary....like a spiderweb with "stuff" in it...


Or what we call “marshmallow farms”.... ;-)

Visit your local farmer's market. There are so many interesting colors and textures! Maybe you are fortunate enough to live on or near a stable or farm. We live near a stable, and our neighbors are kind enough to let us know when there is a new foal, colt or even ducklings :)


Grandparents love being involved in helping little ones enjoy the outdoors (and parents are appreciative of anything that gets kids out from in front of a television or video game!). Encourage them to involve your kids when planting a garden.


“Sunshine” has even coaxed his Grandpa into making a tire swing and is still working on him to build a treehouse.

Of course, there are the easy backyard fun things to do....like playing in a creek bed, blowing bubbles, and just climbing a tree.


A couple of projects that you could try:

Find stickers or nature objects and place them on a piece of construction paper. Leave it in the sun for several hours (or a whole day). You can either do this by mounting it on a window from the inside or by securing the paper outside on the sidewalk.

After the sun has bleached/lightened the paper, remove stickers or objects to reveal a fun print:


A friend shared another fun idea that I hope to try. It involves treasure hunts. Since her oldest son is “obsessed” with dinosaurs, they make paper mache eggs using balloons, newspaper, and paint. Then, after mom maps the clues the kids hunt for each clue, leading them to a “nest” of pine needles laden with the “eggs” (which she has also stuffed with surprises!). What a fun mom and a great idea! (Thanks Natalie)

I KNOW you ladies have some great ideas to share, too. Please feel free to post them in the comments section.

Enjoy your week!

-Ashlie

Train Up Tuesday: H20 + Summer = FUN!

I hope you enjoyed some chalk activities with your kiddos in the last week! This week for our Summer Time Fun series, we talk about water activities (a few that my kids enjoy and some that I came across while “surfing”).Water is a fascinating “material” to work with. I’m sure there are several homeschooling moms or teachers that could share some wonderful teaching activities with us (feel free to share them in the comments below!). You can explore the liquid, vapor, or solid versions of H20.

My boys seem to really enjoy the water. If they are ever fussy (or aggravating!), one of 2 things usually works: 1. Taking them outside to play. 2. Letting them play in water (either outside, in the bath, or even the sink).Here are a few ideas to get you started:

SMALL POOL OR BUCKETS

I’ve noticed my little guys enjoy transferring water from one container to something else (another container or just pouring it out). Have a small pool or buckets close together along with smaller cups, bowls, watering pitchers. They may end up using ladles, sponges, or other containers to do this..For some reason, it keeps them entertained! It’s also an easy way for them to fill up the watering can to give your plants a drink.

I don’t yet have a sand/water table for my boys, but I’m sure this would be a great toy to add to your backyard for activities like these.

For sensory fun, add smooth pebbles or shells (you can find at a dollar store) into the pool along with plastic bath toys. My boys and nieces enjoy getting in the pool and hunting for treasures.

Use water in a pool to wash babydolls, toys that need a cleaning, or to have a miniature car/bike wash!

I mentioned last week that cleanup time for chalk art could be a great activity for children. Using paint brushes or sponges and water as “paint” can be equally entertaining, inexpensive, and in a snap the art disappears. The sidewalk or even your house outside walls could be “painted” with water.


HOSE PIPE

Okay, I know some of you simply call it a “hose”...but you know what I mean. ;-)

First of all, if you have a hosepipe you MUST have some type of sprinkler. A standard sprinkler is great, but there are also some really fun ones for kids. I like this one (below) from Target or Wal-Mart (both are carrying it this year) in particular because you can set the spray low for the little guys, and it’s quite long allowing several children to play at once without running into each other.

A sprinkler is great for playing the game “Jump the Creek.” (I loved that game in elementary school...the dry version, of course!)

The hose ;-) is also good for filling up water balloons. What fun you can have with those!

ICE ICE BABY

Ice activities are wonderful in the south during summertime, for sure!

A few that we’ve enjoyed are:

Painting with colored ice. We freeze ice with food coloring (I think you may even use coloring from flavored drink packets). Then, we use the ice to paint paper outside. Plus, my boys like licking them while they "paint"....


Also, ice is an alternative way to fill in those paint with water books (that seemed to be much easier to find when I was a child!...they don’t sell them in enough places if you ask me).

Ice treasures. This HAS to be my oldest son’s favorite ice activity. We fill a small plastic container with small toys, rocks, shells, and such along with water. We allow it to freeze overnight. The next day, we take it outside, dump the ice block from its container and then and he either chips away at the ice block (small hammer, fork or other scraping tools) or squirts it with warm water to melt away to find his treasures.


Another similar activity that I haven’t yet tried but is on my list of things to do soon is filling a container with water and then fruit. Again, you freeze this and the next day chip away at it to reveal TASTY treasures. (We saw this idea on Sid the Science Kid.)

Ice ball surprise. This is another activity I hope to do soon. Similar to the ice treasure block, with this activity you fill a water balloon with water and a single treasure or trinket. Again, you freeze the balloon and then later cut open the top and swirl the balloon in a pool or bucket to reveal what’s hidden inside. This idea came from amazingmoms.com. The suggestion is that it could also provide a novel favor at a summertime birthday party. LOVE that!

I have smaller children (under school age), so most of my ideas reflect that. You could likely adapt many of the above ideas for older children.

Here are a few other links I found with ideas I liked:

Lots of relay style games for older kids/teens on parentingteens.about.com

Ideas about the "science" of water and more water games found tlc.howstuffworks.com

The Ice Ball Surprise (mentioned above) as well as several other games for young children on amazingmoms.com

These ideas are for a "preschool classroom"...but you could adapt the ideas for your own home.

Have fun getting wet and staying cool this summer!
And PLEASE share ideas with me. You know I’m always looking for fun ways to entertain my boys. ;-)


-Ashlie

Train Up Tuesday: Chalk Talk

Honestly, I really wanted to use the phrase “Chalk It Up” in my title, but in searching the web for inspirational ideas...EVERY other blog uses that phrase ;-) This is the first in a series of fun activities to do with the kiddos out in the sun. Thanks to those who responded to my requests for ideas.


I adore chalk...though I don’t really like the feel of chalk (blecht!). Maybe there’s some nostalgia about it that creates it’s appeal to me...Bert from Mary Poppins as a "screever" (I think that would be a GREAT way to get paid) and Simon in the Land of Chalk Drawings:



Chalk is such a great, cheap tool for the amount of fun you can have with it. Plus, a sidewalk is the perfect poor man’s canvas....just a good washing and time in the sun...voila, good as new!

We have loads of chalk...in most any color and many shapes. If I have no activities planned, it’s one of those things I can go to for instant fun and inspiration and open ended play with my boys. Here are a few (who am I kidding...SEVERAL) ideas for fun with chalk:

The Basics:

Draw something. That’s all there is to it. Draw ANYTHING. If you have a sidewalk or driveway, you have an amazingly HUGE canvas. There is something novel about drawing on the sidewalk. Not only does it present a beautiful work of art, but for the little guys, it helps exercise those gross motor skills.

A snail drawing by my 4 year old

Trace your shadows and fill them in. Or trace them every hour or so standing in the same spot to learn about the earth’s rotation and how shadows change.

Some areas of the country are known for Sidewalk Chalk Art Festivals. I’d LOVE to find one of those. But, if you are like me, and don’t get to see too much performance art in your neck of the woods, why not have your own Festival. You could host it at your home in your driveway with your kids and their friends, or if you are fortunate enough to live in a neighborhood with lots of children, perhaps the whole area could be a sidewalk work of art! Be sure to take pics. And “google” “sidewalk chalk art” for some REALLY cool artwork (3D & trumploi images are incredible...you can create a similar effect with 3D glasses, like the ones we received with a Crayola 3D Chalk package).

Leave a message. What a great way to welcome home “daddy” or a loved one! Plus, you can always take a photo of it to preserve the message or artwork for later (great way to make a “thank you” card in the future).

Games:

No doubt we’ve all played a round or two of hopscotch. But you should check out variations of hopscotch. Look up some different ideas online. I came across Monte Carlo & Italian variations in the book "The Daring Book for Girls" by Andrea J. Buchanan and Miriam Peskowitz.

Hopscotch

There’s more than just hopscotch, though! Many classic sidewalk/playground games use chalk. I came across an idea for making leaping lily pads with numbers to encourage number sequencing. You could also use various shapes, symbols, letters, and numbers to teach math and spelling skills, for starters.

Leaping Lilypads!

Use chalk to make a classification system.

For more learning fun, check out "More Chalk Fun".

You could also trace shapes (we used sand tools) to make a puzzle.

Tracing shapes for a "puzzle"

Basically, any game you could play with pen/pencil and paper could be played on the sidewalk...on a GRANDER scale!

Pretend play. Make a track or road using chalk. You could make a whole village or town and include 3 dimensional items for tunnels.

Mix it up:

Don’t be afraid to let chalk get wet. It transforms pale chalk into magnificently brilliant colors! You can create your own wet chalk or chalk paint. (Thanks to reader Elizabeth for the link for making chalk paint: http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Chalk-Paint)

OR a simple rain puddle works nicely for getting chalk wet.

So, what if your one of the many unfortunate ones who either has gravel in your driveway or no place to draw? Easy! Save some old boxes (or salvage some), open them up and an instant canvas! Actually, anyone can benefit from an old box for chalk drawings. Use it for a rainy day when you want to bring outdoor fun inside, too! ;-)

Clean Up! Even cleaning up after using chalk can be fun. Use large paint brushes, squirt bottles, buckets, sponges, a hosepipe. You can imagine that it may be even more fun for the kids than even the drawings!

Well, you can tell from my library of personal photos, that chalk ranks up there as one of my favorite things. I know there are many more ideas for chalk, so if you have some, please post them in the comments section!

Have fun,
Ashlie