Happy Summer!

By God's grace, we made it through another year of school in the Mobley home. Life continues as normal for the three boys, but the girls really look forward to the summer. For some reason, they think having a break from schoolwork is the best thing ever.  Much to their dismay, I know that too much unstructured time is a recipe for disaster in our home, so this summer is not a free for all.  Instead, we are learning about composers and famous works of art. The girls are keeping up with their math skills by using Ten Marks.  Mary is continuing to develop her coding skills in Java Script with Code Academy. Maggie is continuing to work on phonograms, copywork, and reading aloud over the summer.  And now you probably think I am some kind of super-intense crazed homeschooling mom who never allows her kids a break!  Since I already have all of our books for the fall, the girls, who so look forward to summer and a break from school, who were so dismayed to learn on the first day of summer break that we were actually going to continue learning over the summer, by their own will, started working on their geography and critical thinking workbooks!  Ha, I guess oodles of free time isn't all that great after all!

Nevertheless, I knew that without a plan, the summer would just pass us by, so we sat down and brainstormed all the fun things we want to do this summer.  Hopefully, we'll really be able to do it all!!

1. Pretend City--All of my kids love this fun museum. I can't wait to go again!
2. Superstructs--We scored two sets of these awesome toys at a community garage sale.  It's fun to just play with them and make your own inventions, but I hope to sit down with the instructions and build with Matthew and Jonathan.  
3. Cat's Cradle--I have fond memories of these string games when I was a little girl.  Mary was gifted a book, string, and instructional DVD for her birthday.  I hope to watch the DVD with her and refresh my memory!
4. Park--Well, this is just self explanatory.  We plan to spend lots of time just playing at the park, enjoying the beautiful Orange County weather.
5. Bowling--We signed up for the Kids Bowl Free summer program and have already gone a few times. 
6. BCC VBS--Our church is hosting its second Vacation Bible School in August.  As a mom, I was so blessed by the event last year.  My kids had a great time and learned so much about the Lord.
7. OC Zoo--I still have lots of free passes for the zoo.  I plan to take all the kids to observe the animals we studied in science this past year.
8. Squirt Gun Fight--Self Explanatory.
9. Pads for India--Our church is sewing sanitary pads, which will meet a great need for impoverished women in India.  I hope to use this as an opportunity to teach the girls some sewing skills.
10. Drawstring Bags--I offered to help a friend in sewing drawstring bags that will be used to hold toiletries for impoverished families in Appalachia.
11. Spring Cleaning--I'm really going to try to control myself this summer, but there is some deep cleaning that needs to be done.
12. Missionary Stories--I love the Miller Family series.  We've already read several and are planning to read this one over the summer.
13. Visit Nana & Papa--Yep, we're going to be headed north with all five kids in the car to visit family in Redding.  (I plan to bring lots of duct tape along.) We can't wait to see relatives visiting from Australia: JD, Marisa, and Elodie.
14. Boys' Day--ummm...I'm not really sure about this yet, but the girls wanted Girls' Day, so I thought the boys deserved Boys' Day, too.  Maybe we'll make popsicles and destroy things.
15. Girls' Day--The girls are the masterminds behind this.  They want to dress up in their fanciest clothes and have a tea party without tea.  I'm down with it as long as I don't have to dress up.
16. Reading Programs--My kids love to read.  It's an extra bonus if they can get prizes for it!  We plan to participate in programs with our local library, Pottery Barn, and Barnes and Noble.
17. Potty Time--Matthew and Jonathan are learning how to be big like Daddy!!
18. Color--Self Explanatory.
19. Family Bike Ride--Although it's a logistical nightmare, it's worth the effort!  Josiah goes in the seat; Matthew and Jonathan go in the trailer; Mary or Maggie can go on the tag along; the other can ride independently.  
20. Picnic--I'm thinking it would be really fun to have a picnic at William R. Mason Regional Park and walk around and watch the ducks and turtles.
21. World Cup Soccer--Thank God for Spanish television and ESPN replays!!
22. Beach Day--When Gramps and Grams were here, we went to Dana Point Baby Beach.  It was SOOOO much fun.  Everyone wants to go back!
23. Make Friendship Bracelets--I am seriously addicted to Target clearance.  Again, nostalgia kicked in when I saw these friendship bracelet kits.  I used to make these and trade these in elementary school!
24. Paint--Self Explanatory.
25. Chalkboard Paint--I have visions of using chalkboard paint to make a surface for the three boys to write on.
26. Splash Pad--Park plus water.  What could be better?  I think we're gonna try out Heritage Park.
27. Swimming Lessons--Both girls will be taking swimming lessons again this summer through UCI at a local park/pool area.  Matthew and Jonathan will get their first lessons next summer.

And now I think I need a nap:)