Ready for Summer?

Holy Cow I can't believe the kids are at their last day of school today. I want this summer to be FABULOUS! I don't want to spend the whole time bugging my kids about their chores or hearing them say they are bored. I want to feel like we have created some fun memories by the end of the summer. So I have been on the look out for fun ideas and here are just a few things that I have come across so far.

I was watching Good Things Utah earlier this week and they had a fun segment that gave ideas for the whole month of June for things to do as a family. Click HERE. One of the many activities was a family cam pout in the back yard. We have done this before but it has been a few years since Clayne and I joined the kids in sleeping out back. We usually save the tent event for when we really have to do it since we both like our own bed too much to give in - but this year we will do the backyard tent event. I will definitely be checking into the Utah Mama site for more ideas.

Another segment they had on Good Things Utah this week (but I didn't watch this one - found it on their site) was about Summer Work Standards I agree that kids need to know what is expected of them during the summer. They focus on three areas - Neatness Standards, Household Skills, and Reading Opportunities.

Clayne and I have already been talking to the kids about some of our expectations over the summer. Here are a few of our "rules." They will not be allowed to leave the house to play with friends or whatever until they have made their beds, cleaned their rooms and finished any of their chores on the job chart. After their chores they will need to read for at least 20 minutes as well before they are free to go. They must inform us of where they are going and what they are going to be doing and before they leave that location to go to another they must again check in to let us know. The family will gather at 9 PM for scriptures and bedtime prayers. So far that is our list and as we see any problems arise - we of course have the right to make more rules lol.

Of course since the kids will be reading anyway - we will be making a trip to the library to sign up for the summer reading program. The kids may as well pick up a few prizes along the way.

I love to visit The Daily Digi site and this week they too had a summer idea post. Click HERE to check it out. This post has a list of "100 Things I Want to Do This Summer." I'm not even going to try to pick my favorite ideas from her list. She had so many good ideas but I do know that I will be borrowing a few of them to add to my list. If I really am able to compile my 100 list in a decent amount of time - I hope to share it here on my blog soon.

Of course one of the things we often take advantage of in the summer is the free movies at Edwards Theater. Click HERE to see the line up for our theater.Some of the movies they have listed are ones that I haven't seen yet and so I am looking forward to going to these Nim's Island and Inkheart.

Here is a list of 99 Days of Great Summer Games Memorial Day to June 30 from FamilyFun.com
Here are some craft ideas from About.com
And HERE is one more site that has ideas for activities, crafts and summer recipes.
Oh and on the off chance that you are planning a trip to a National Park this summer there is news that for 3 weekends this summer the entry fee will be waived at 147 parks. Click HERE for details.

I stumbled upon this cute letter called Dear Summer on the Rocks In My Dryer Blog and thought you may like it too.

Dear Summer,

Welcome back, my old friend. We’ve missed you.

As always, you showed up right on time, with the shrill dinging of the last school bell one afternoon last week. You rode on the shoulders of my delirious sons, as they bounded out to the car. Their faces were flushed with the awareness that you’ll be their companion for the next three glorious months... {read more at Parenting.com}

So do you have fun plans for the summer? Do you have ideas that will help me in my summer planning? Feel free to share a comment or link me up to your blog so I can learn from you.

Free Summer Movies at Regal

LOL so here is one of the tips I was just reading and found the list that I was wondering about. We have often attended the free movies but sometimes it is hard to find out what is playing each week. So for a list of what is playing here in Idaho click here. See you at the movies! Oh and speaking of movies, I went to see the new Indiana Jones movie this past weekend with Clayne and it was pretty good. I'm sure we will rent it again or Clayne may buy it when it comes out on DVD.

Hodge Podge of Stuff

I'll tell you right now that this post will be a hodge podge of information so be sure to scroll down to make sure you don't miss something that will interest you lol.

Update on my quickpage

Wow! I have been so surprised at the response to this quick page. Last time I checked 4Shared this page had been downloaded 286 times. I appreciate the comments that people have left. I wanted to share Ally Blank's page made from my QP. She added a few additional elements from Mandy's News Flash kit. Isn't it cute? Thanks Ally.New Wheels

Clayne bought his new wheels last week. Remember he rolled his Jeep a few weeks ago. He decided on a 2003 Chevy Avalanche. It is a pretty sweet ride with lots lof bells and whistles. He keeps trying to get me to drive it but I just have no desire. A little too big and too much power lol. It intimidates me. He even pointed out that it has a great feature for short people like me lol. You know how it is that often you have to adjust the seat forward in order to reach the pedals? Well in the Avalanche, you can adjust the pedals to come closer to you. I never heard of such a thing. I am loving that this vehicle actually has room to seat 6 so the whole family can fit. We never could take the Jeep when the whole family was going somewhere. Morgan and Cheyenne just had to get in the pictures here.

One Up

If Clayne needed a new truck then I guess I need something new too. I had a new washer delivered today. Gosh they have gotten expensive since I last bought one 11 years ago. I decided that as the kids grow, and the laundry piles too, that I should get me one of these big bad boys. It is 4.6 cu. If that doesn't mean anything... it is big lol. Now I just wish I had the dryer to go with it. Unfortunately when our dryer went out on us last fall we had it repaired and so now it is a keeper. It just can't keep up with this big washer though. So here is my idea... I will get another inexpensive dryer to put in the basement and then I'll have 2 dryers. Cheaper than upgrading to the big dryer shown here. I didn't really want to spend the money right now on this washer because we have had so many expenses in the last few months but mine was leaking and that just won't do. So any of you that live local, if you are thinking of upgrading your wash system in the next year and want to sell your old dryer (in good condition lol) let me know because if the price is right... you have a deal.

Egging

We went out Egging on Sunday for part of our Family Home Evening. It is much like going Booing for Halloween. When at my Sister In Law's a week ago I saw the notice on her door and thought it was a fun version. I hadn't heard of it in our neck of the woods and so we decided to get it started. My kids love to do this. If you haven't done it yet, make some copies and join in the fun.

You've Been Egged!

The days are getting warmer. Spring is near.

Easter is coming and the bunny's been here!

Now it's your turn to pass on the cheer

Better be quick before Easter gets here.

You be the bunny and make up a treat

Fill up 3 baskets with good things to eat.

Take them to neighbors and friends you adore

Give to a family you've not given to before.

Make up 3 bundles of goodies to share.

Take them to neighbors whose windows are bare.

Once you've been egged hang this note near your door

The "bunny" will see it and your home he'll ignore.

HAPPY EASTER!

Recipe Share

It has been a while since I have shared a recipe and so I think I'll share the treat we took egging. I got this one from a recipe book of my friend Jen. This one is quick, easy and Mmmmm.

Squirrel Bars

1/2 cup peanut butter

1/3 cup butter

3/4 cup brown sugar

3/4 cup sugar

2 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla

1 cup flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

6 ounces chocolate chips

Mix together first four ingredients. Add eggs and vanilla. Stir in flour and baking powder. Spread mixture in a greased 9"x13" pan. Sprinkle chips on top. Bake 3 minutes at 350 degrees. Take out and "marbelize." Return to oven for another 18 to 20 minutes. Cool and cut into bars to serve.

Movie Night?

Did you see that Enchanted was released today. I bought it at Walmart for less than $15. If you just want to rent this... or any other movie. Here is a free code "SPRING" (expires 3/24/08) to use at RedBox. I love this rental system!