What to Do with Your Summer

Now that I’ve established that it’s okay to take a summer break when you homeschool, your brain may be burning lots of fuel as you think about all of the grand possibilities for your extra time!

Here are some of my ideas:

• Household projects.  Spring cleaning galore.  Deep down cleaning of windows, baseboards, cars, garage, whatever!  Remodel or redecorate a room.  Organize cabinets and closets.  Declutter!
• Outdoor work.  If you like to plant flowers or a vegetable garden, the warmer weather provides ample opportunity for taking care of your landscaping.
• Outdoor play.  Bike riding, picnics, swimming, canoeing . . .
• Vacation.  Don’t forget the value of day trips!
• Spend more time with family and friends. Make a list of the people you would like to see more often this summer and make goals so these desires don’t get lost in the shuffle.
• Put away last year’s school stuff.  File away the important papers.  Get rid of the rest.  Record grades.
• Prep for the new school year. Order curriculum. Make a schedule for your days, weeks, and/or year.  Set goals for learning and field trips.
• Spend a lot of time with your kids!  Make memories!
• Make a bucket list for each family member.  Find out what your husband’s and children’s goals are as well and do the best you can to fulfill some of everyone’s wishes.

Have a great summer!

To School or Not to School Throughout the Summer?

When my children were younger, we schooled all year round.  Schooling year-round enabled us to be more flexible throughout the year, and I appreciated that!  When we did school in the summer, we mainly did core subjects, like math and English.  It was a lighter schedule, but it was still year-round, so we never really had the mental break from school.

As my children are growing, along with their workloads (and mine!), I see the blessing of having more of a summer break.  All of us feel the need for a break, and I need more time to recharge and regroup.

Our current school habits combine the best of both worlds – taking a good, long break for a while, but also doing some school throughout the summer to keep brains fresh.

When planning your school year and summer, consider the following:

Taking a longer break after finishing a year celebrates your accomplishments!  You and your family will feel a big relief and “hurray” and appreciate a longer break to rejuvenate.

Think about doing light school in the summer, with a certain amount of time totally off – not three months.  When people usually think of summer break, they think of “all or nothing”.  You don’t have to finish one year on June 16 and start the new one after Labor Day.  You can take June, July, and August mostly off with the month of July completely off, for instance.

Doing some school in the summer can help your days and your children.  A bit of schoolwork provides some discipline and structure, encouraging thinking skills and progress in curriculum.

Simplifying and/or eliminating school in the summer gives Mom and kids a much-needed break!  When the warmer days hit, after several months of grinding at the wheel, our motivation dwindles.  We are ready for some relaxation, enjoyment, and a change of pace.

One huge benefit to a summer break - Mom doesn’t have the pressure of school weighing over her head and can focus on other homemaking tasks and goals with her kids.

Want some ideas for occupying your summer days?
Stay tuned for my next post.

Fruit-Infused Water and Pitcher

Perhaps you’ve seen it introducing itself around the internet, “Fruit-infused water”.

I first ran into the novelty on Pinterest last year and tried an interesting mix of cucumber, lemon, and mint, otherwise known as “Sassy Water”.

When I started my relationship with flavored water, I did not own this beautiful pitcher I now possess – the Takeya drink maker 2 quart pitcher with fruit infuser basket. I love it!  It keeps the food items in and out of your water, at the same time.

You can try all sorts of mixtures:

• Strawberry, lemon, mint
• Raspberry, lime
• Apple, pear, ginger
• Orange, lime, lemon

Even if you don’t have a fruit-infuser basket for your pitcher, you can still try making your own delicious, healthful concoctions!

You can find these types of pitchers at Bed, Bath, and Beyond, Costco, and other fine stores.  Takeya also has its own web site.

Making the Best of Family Vacations

Recently my husband and I took the family on vacation.  We were feeling desperate for vacation.  We pictured blue skies, sunshine, and the two of us, alone, on a secluded island with some good books.  Well, not exactly, but I think you get the gist.

We were quickly reminded that we had four children who were on vacation too.

"What are we doing today?"
"Can we go swimming?"
"I'm hungry."
"I'm bored."

Ugh... so much for vacation, at least that's what part of me thought.

Family vacations can be tough, especially if we have the wrong expectations. 

Here are some things to consider to help make the best of your family vacation:

#1 A family vacation is just that.... a FAMILY vacation.  It's not a second or third or whatever number honeymoon for you and the hubby.  Remember that you have people with you who have needs and desires of their own.

#2 You are building memories for your children and for your family!  Family vacations are etched into the fiber of our beings.  I remember camping with my family, taking a long tour out West to see the Grand Canyon, the Badlands, the Painted Desert, and other wonderful attractions, seeing Niagara Falls, and more!  Family vacations strengthen bonds and create memories.

#3 Try to get some alone time, by yourself or with your husband.  Put a good movie on for the kids.  Take turns with your hubby, watching the kids for each other so you can have some quiet or alone time.  Go to bed later than the children.  Think of ways you can regroup personally and also as a couple.

#4 Try to consider everyone's desires when planning events. Sometimes it will require sacrifice for some people.  That's ok.  Reward them with something they want to do later.  Make the vacation pleasant for everyone.

#5  Have fun!  Even if the vacation is different than you expected.  Do your best to relax and enjoy yourself.

Nighttime Productivity

Night time... it's the time my mind and body want to shut down.  After the kids are in bed, I don't really FEEL like doing much of anything.  However, night time is a good time to be productive.  It is a good time to tie up loose ends from the day and prepare for tomorrow.

What are some ways you can be productive at night?

• Have you finished your “To Do” list?  What is still left that is high priority or would make you feel good having it crossed off your list?
• Is your kitchen or work area clean and ready for tomorrow?  I never feel good waking up to a dirty kitchen.
• Is there a task that is done better when it is quiet in your house?

Still feeling unmotivated?

• Put your feet up for a short while first with the intentions of starting productivity at such-and-such time.
• Set a timer for yourself so you don't feel like you are working all night.
• Save your reward perks for when your task(s) are finished.   Read an extra chapter of your book.  Check your social media. Eat a bowl of ice cream.

Productivity doesn't always
come easy at night,
but it is well worth the effort!

Easy Peasy Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

Okay, I confess.  It is almost difficult to share this recipe.  If I give you these bars as a gift, as I did for a friend recently, you’ll realize that it really wasn’t that hard to make these bars.

On the other hand, that’s EXACTLY why I need to share this recipe.  These bars only contain three ingredients. Yep, you read that right!  THREE!  Chocolate chips, peanut butter, and powdered sugar.

Get the recipe here at “The Stay at Home Chef”.

We do not have a microwave, so I use a double boiler to melt the chocolate chips.

The trickiest part to this recipe was cutting them and then of course, staying clean while we ate them.  ~smile~

Your Husband, Your Teammate

Today I celebrate 16 years of marriage with my love. 

Life hasn’t always been easy.  Marriage hasn’t always been easy, but we are a team!

When tough times come, it is tempting to allow circumstances to put a wedge between you and your husband.  It is easy to feel distant, as if you are living separate lives in separate worlds.

However, marriage is supposed to be the most intimate, united relationship on earth.  When God put man and woman together, they became one.

Got that?

They became one.

Genesis 2:24 - Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.

When you married your husband, you became one with him.

You are teammates.
You are two halves of one extremely important covenant.
You share life together.  You share dreams together.  You share possessions.
You raise children together.
You bear with each other’s weaknesses and rejoice in strengths.
You are companions, friends, and lovers.
You are one.

If you are having a hard time in life, remember that your husband is your teammate.  He is not your enemy.  He is your most prized possession.  Ultimately, he is on your side, fighting for you and with you.

I am so thankful for the teammate God has given me!