How Our Homeschool Family Does Summer Vacation

(Here my hubby is mowing the lawn, with the kids in tow, just for fun!  They love it!)
 
As I scroll through Facebook, I see many families who, as soon as their children are out of school, whisk their children off to magical places, awesome vacations, camping trips - you name it.

We are just finishing our school year tomorrow.

Do you know what I have planned?

Absolutely nothing.

Although I'd love to respond to this thought by putting my feel up, grabbing a book and letting out a long "Ahhhh" (sigh), I can't.


I am experiencing a tremendous letdown.

A total BLAH.

Why?


I don't completely know.  Part of it has to do with being in high gear for 9 months, spending half of every week day schooling the kids or planning fun, educational outings.  Many of my after-we-put-them-to-bed thoughts have to do with what we're going to be learning the next day, the next week, the next month and the next year.  My thoughts are consumed with how to make learning fun, attainable, and great!


So here I was, worried that I had nothing planned for the summer, and we had a spectacular first day of break.  All child-initiated.  No sweat!

First, they made "Yummy Nummies" drinks (a kit I hid away after Christmas because it makes quite a sticky mess)


Then, I worked on a Stop Motion film project with my oldest daughter.  We watched a "How To" video and we were off to the races!  (Please stop by and "like" it if you haven't already - she loves seeing how many views and "likes" she has on the video.)  I even toyed with sound editing - a first for me!



While we were working on this video, my two youngest were busy setting up a giant play area in my bedroom (unbeknownst to me!).  Jake and the Neverland Pirates and Shopkins - the perfect combo.



We actually BAKED!!  I put a moratorium on making and involved cooking projects during the school year.  I just can't deal with the extra mess.  Today, we made real chocolate chip cookies - not store bought for once.  The girls were thrilled!





 
I know - they look really thrilled here, but trust me.  They were excited!  Mom's actually letting us bake!!  They were just concentrating on the task at hand.



So was the dog.  They were both anxiously waiting for the cookies to be done.







And, of course, there is the joy of putting smiley face stickers all over yourself while mom's not looking.  I was helping the girls with the cookies, and when I turned around, my boy greeted me with giggles.  He was so pleased with himself.  So sneaky.


We rounded out the day with hot dogs and mac n' cheese and good long time playing outside in the backyard.  A surprise visit from Nana and Pop pop, too!

What a great day!!

 What was I so worried about?


"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has 

enough trouble of its own."       Matthew 6:34

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