summer school.

we don't take an official break from school at our house. Well, we have breaks all the time, but we don't actually have a summer vacation, if you will. I would probably like to have a couple of months "off" but that's probably from all motherly duties rather than just "schooling" hours. I mean, I have always homeschooled, so I am not sure how to be a mom without schooling them at home. Do I tell the kids I won't read to them at night because it's summer? Do I take away art projects, learning games or piano practice for a couple of months just because other kids don't go to school? I don't think so. Anyway, we still do classes with our fave homeschooling friends... mainly because the kids LOVE it (and I love having a break from them every once in a while too.) Granted, if kids get sick or we're out of town or we just don't feel like doing school for a week or two-- then we chill out.. but learning happens no matter what. If I didn't plan some sort of activity or lesson, then I can guarantee my kids would be bored out of their minds. And nothing is more annoying than a child who is bored. But I have been terrible about documenting our activities.. I've guess I've taken a summer break from my blog. Anyway, here are a few recent pictures of our summer schooling adventures (in no particular order whatsoever.)


The boys participated in the summer reading program at the library. They needed to read 20 hours each in order to earn a prized gold medal and an invite to an end-of-the-summer party. We decided ahead of time that we would NOT be including the time I read to them-- because what we do at night is for fun only... if they don't want me to read to them, I would be more than happy to get a few extra minutes of sleep. Anyway, if they wanted to earn rewards for reading, they needed to do it on their own. For Ben, reading 20 hours was super easy. Luke is actually my best reader, but he had to work hard for his prize. I was really proud of them for sticking to their reading schedules and earning their hours. Eventually, they realized that Zack wasn't going to make his goals-- so they took turns reading to him. They set the timer everyday and believe it or not, Zack reminded them when they didn't have "brothers reading time". I can't tell you how many times I caught the three of them cuddled up together reading a good book. Zack was able to earn his gold medal and enter the library drawing for prizes. I thought the end of the year party at the library was a total bust (otter pops that weren't even frozen and a bit of sidewalk chalk in the blazing heat= lame) but the kids enjoyed themselves and that's all that matters, I guess.


My boys have literally enjoyed every minute they spend at Sabrina's house. Not only do they get along fabulous with the kids and beg to have sleepovers every night, but Sabrina teaches them art classes every week and they always learn a ton. Here are a couple of pictures of the kids sculpting play dough blindfolded. I would tell you which artist started sculpting when he lost his eyesight, but I didn't attend the class and the kids aren't around to tell me. Sabrina, if you're out there, remind me again of what my kids learned that day....


Our homemade playdough hieroglyphic class turned out fabulous. We had a few extra kids that day, but it was a lot of fun. The kids carved their names in the clay and then we baked them in the oven and let them wear them around their necks... The older kids loved the "secret coding" and kept writing messages to each other than no one else could decipher. boys can be so mischievous.

After the hieroglyphic lesson, the kids were planning on playing outside in the water. They all wore their swimsuits and were psyched to get wet. However, one of my kids was telling his friend about a scene from Pee Wee's Big Adventure, and eventually the movie got turned on. I thought they were going to watch a minute or two and then head outside. But there is something magical about this movie. It's either the music or Pee Wee's completely annoying voice that has them hypnotized. All eleven kids (ages 2 to 10) were literally GLUED to that screen for the ENTIRE movie. When their mom's came to pick them up, I apologized for exposing them to Pee Wee, but the kids were all thoroughly entertained and didn't want to leave before the show was over. weird.


We ventured out in the heat and visited the children's discovery museum. We've been several times before, but they are always changing it. It has a new (disgusting) exhibit called GROSSOLOGY that's all about the human body. It teaches the kids the facts about farting, burping, puking, pooping... you name it. Honestly, my kids don't need any encouragement in that department. It's difficult to scold them when they start out a sentence, "Well I read at the museum that your anus vibrates when you fart...." Seriously, who was in charge of this project anyway? I took pictures to prove it, but apparently the picture of the pooping station didn't turn out. bummer.

Lucky for me, while my kids were learning about farts and throw up, I was able to talk to one of my best friends who met us at the museum. Danalin brought her beautiful kids and we were able to chat it up (when we weren't chasing down kids.)


The boys favorite parts of the museum were the hurricane machine and the virtual sports screen. Luke is still complaining about the soccer ball that virtually hit him in the head and Ben actually thinks he's the best volleyball player this side of the Mississippi...

Three cheers for summer school!

and just a side note.. This morning, my husband and I took Ben and Luke to tour the elementary school they "should" be attending in the fall-- today was the last day of the year and the new (year around) school year starts in two weeks. I think Aaron wants me to explore my options just in case I feel overwhelmed when the baby comes. I am all about exploring. But after spending the day at the museum and coming home to take a nap after the long morning, I just don't see how I can send my kids to school from 8:30 to 4:00 everyday (the bus stop hours.) Doesn't that seem like SUCH a long day? Honestly, I don't have any issues with the school system and believe Ben and Luke would do just fine in bigger classrooms. But who in their right mind thinks that ONE 15 minute recess is enough for kids when they are in school for almost 7 hours? Lunch is also only 15 minutes long. say what? Obviously, this is a big decision and I know bringing another baby into the family is going to throw my schedule off quite a bit-- but it kids should be kids, no? But then again, I did just buy my boys new backpacks. Maybe they should be used for something more worthwhile than carrying around water balloons. Decisions, decisions....