the business of summer

It is very interesting to me how different my kids behave now that it is summer. Suddenly, they are not interested in TV or video games, or sitting around acting bored in the house. Not that they always did this, but they would often want to kill time this way between school and practices or games, or between dinner and bedtime. But, now it is like "Look out everyone, summer is here and we have things to do!"--things they don't feel free to do during the limited hours and daylight of the school year. They want to go to library for books to read and play outside! I can't tell you how thrilled I have been this first week of summer. I wonder how long it will last.

It started right away. On the last day of school, the kids came home and got right down to the business of summer, each in their own way. While Jess wasted no time retiring to her room for some 'R-n-R' and fell asleep reading, Andrew and Catherine got to work on ambitious exploits outdoors. First, they hauled wood together with the wheelbarrow. Daddy had cut up a large tree branch that split off a tree with his chainsaw a few months ago, and temporarily stacked the wood at the base of the tree. My son, with his ever-present, sidekick little sister, decided on his own to haul the wood to the woodstack. I later wondered how well they worked together on that job when I  heard Andrew say to Catherine, "Catherine, you need to learn to listen to people. Like when I tell you not to move the wheelbarrow, and you do it anyway, and then what happened? It tipped over and spilled all the wood!"

I was very impressed with their work ethic...and, as ever parent understands, that they saw something that needed to be done and did it without being asked. Really, if we can impart that one life skill to our kids, there's no telling the greatness that would spring forth, right? But, alas, it is a lesson that takes a LOT of work to pass on. It is just great to see that they do it once in awhile.

Next, the twosome jumped into the task of building a 'tree fort'. All it takes to inspire my builder/engineer son is a fully blooming, leafy locust branch broken and hanging from one of the trees bordering the backyard. They used deck furniture, a stack of old sheets used as drop cloths for painting projects, clothespins and baling twine.

With the initial building phase complete, seeing the value in the nearly finished project and because Mom had woken her up from her late afternoon nap, big sister came out to join in the fun. The kids were thrilled to have the usual ringleader; the one they often confess to be bored without, and of whom they proclaim 'has the good ideas', 'it's more fun when she's here', out with them then. And, as usual, the girls did the decorating and furnishing because nothing is complete without all their 'stuff' with them wherever they set up shop. Out came books, baskets, bags, blankets, pillows, and snacks.

My brothers and I made a lot of tree forts growing up in 'the woods'. So, now, seeing my kids' version of a 'tree fort', and realizing their giddy excitement and pride over how it took shape...I get it. Yet, at the same time, I don't feel the same way myself anymore. I made the mistake of laughing and saying how funny it is when I snapped the photos of them playing in their fort. Andrew: "What? It's funny? You don't think it's cool?" Me: "Ah, no, buddy. I think it's cool. It is just funny how excited you kids get about this fort. I'm a grown up, so I like to hang out in my nice, remodeled house, that's all." I'm not sure he was completely happy with that answer, but I reassured him it was a really neat fort and he did a good job.

So, here are the photos of the content, country-kid trio nestled into their triple-decker bunks among locust blooms, lemon balm mint, and nearly blooming peonies in the backyard with the trio of cows grazing in the field behind. They didn't understand why I didn't think it was a good idea for them to sleep out there that night, until the next morning when they saw evidence of the showers that had passed through in the night. 'Mother knows best'; a theme we will have to revisit over the summer I'm sure of, if I know anything at all.

The Summer Schedule

{JUNE} Jess is at GBAD basketball camp this week 9-12, and has a shooting camp @ WHS next week. Andrew has Tigers Hoop Camp, & Catie has her first baskeball camp, Little Hoopsters, too, next week. Andrew has the Wildcat Hoop camp the last week, while Jess is gone to Camp Tapawingo with cousins all week. {JULY} Andrew goes to Tapawingo for a 3-day camp with his cousin, Jess visits Morgan showing goats at her county fair. Beach house vacation with Jim's family over the 4th, Andrew's final baseball tourney in Sandy, a week at Wallowa Lake, Clutch basketball camps, Hoopla 3-on-3 Tourney, and the Wilsonville Fun Run. {AUGUST} Showing cattle at Clark Co. Fair, Andrew & Catherine going to a week of VBS and staying at Grandma's while Jess is at Clackamas Co. Fair showing, football begins, camping at Ft. Stevens for a week, showing at state fair, and then Labor Day.

4th of July Rodeo

It is a 4th of July tradition of ours to dress up in our 'cowboy' clothes and go to one of the rodeos nearby in St. Paul or Molalla--we don't go every year, but it is still a tradition since we've gone more years than not. Actually, this year was our first time at the Molalla Buckeroo and we liked it as much as St. Paul. There was a fireworks show following the rodeo.

One of the acts was the 'One-Armed Bandit'--yes, a man with one arm who rode his horse without a bridle, cracked a whip, jumped the horse onto the back of the flatbed truck and then up it climbed to the top of the stock trailer. But, the real fascinating part was when he was able to get two buffalo to also jump onto the flatbed and climb up to the top of the trailer.

The kids love the rodeo. They love the bull-riding the most. Catherine has loved bullriding since she was really little. She used to ask to watch it on ESPN when Daddy was flipping the channels. She is still concerned for the calves well-being with the calf roping and steer wrestling events, though. Go figure! She is soft-hearted when it comes to the animals, but likes to see the cowboys get bucked off.

"Wordless Wednesday" # 5--At the 'Splashpad' (as our Canada friends call it--I like that name!)

Mojo

I got my mojo back...ha! No, some of you have asked...am I still blogging...so here, I'm back. I got really frustrated with my last post. It took so flippin' long for the pics to upload...so I quit blogging for awhile in protest of my dial-up connection that was also bumping me offline time and time again. We are getting DSL soon! Then we're switching to Direct TV so we can pause and record live television--why waste time watching an hour long program when you can watch it in half the time by skipping through commercials. Seriously!? Isn't technology great?

Summer, which technically just began 3 days ago, has been fun so far. So, here's kind of the scoop of what we've been up to this month.

Jess had standardized testing to finish off the school year. She did quite well, but not as good as she thought she did. I asked her how the test went and her response was, "Mom, I got them all right!"

Jac and Jess finished out the softball season, and it was a great season! The team played really well all season. Most of the players will be back in this age bracket, and so everyone's hoping to have the same group together again next season, with Jac as coach again.

We celebrated our 9th anniversary. Jac even surprised me with taking me to pick out jewelry. I picked out little white gold hoops with dangling diamonds. I really like them. I must say I have been very blessed to be married to such a great guy who loves the Lord and takes such good care of us.


We spent four days at the beach in Lincoln City at Inn at Spanish Head. It was fun and relaxing, with lots of laying out in the sun on the beach and at the pool, swimming, playing in the sand and waves, a visit to the cheese factory, shopping, and games and movies in our room at night.

The kids and I have been playing a lot, with lots of outings and playdates with friends: days at the zoo, parks, fountain, library shows, picnics, bike rides, and playing in the sprinklers at home.

Jessica and Andrew are really into the library's summer reading program. Andrew is reading his big "Dick and Jane" book and Jessica is reading her Pony Pals and Little House books for at least 20 minutes a day--yes, they set the timer. It has been fun to see them self-motivated to read to themselves. In fact, the past several months, I'd say that has been Jessica's favorite activity. She is always reading. Jessica and Madison formed a special book club together, where they email each other, have a secret password, write and make books, and read books. It is very cute!

Jac took Jess to the Father/Daughter Banquet at our church where they exchanged letters and gifts to one another and played beach games, watched movie clips, and even did a little dancing. How cute is that?

We had a BBQ with family on Father's Day.

Dawnelle and I have been planning for next year's homeschool group, and are taking over leadership of the co-op--her as Director, and I as Program Coordinator. This has been exciting and challenging, but we're hopeful and prayerful that it will be a great year with reorganization and growth of the program.

I've been to a couple scrapbooking nights this month with friends, including last night where we stayed up until 4 am.

We also roasted hot dogs and smores with friends next door at their house, and had a great time.

We're picking our raspberries now, and made jam today. We put in a new garage door that Jac painted today.

Today J & A were arguing after dinner. Apparently, the words turned into physical agression, because I overheard these serious words: "Andrew, you shouldn't have slapped me because there's church tomorrow. I'd rather you slap me on Mondays." Never a dull moment...

This coming week, the kids start their sports camps at the park 3 hours every morning. Jess is in Coach Nick's basketball camp for the 2nd year, and Andrew is also again doing the multi-sport Skyhawks camp. There is a VBS at a nearby church in the evenings that they want to go to. We'll probably do that, too, since they (even Jess some days) take naps. We also have a 4-H fair meeting this week. All sorts of fun...

A Taste of Summer

"You look like a beach girl!--Do I look like a beach boy?"

As I listen from the kitchen, I hear my son talking in an excited tone, as they get ready to go out and play in the sun. It is cute how excited they get when the first batch of really warm weather hits each year. For weeks now, I have been holding them at bay as they beg to run in the sprinklers. My reply, "I'm sorry, but it just isn't warm enough, yet, " wasn't going to work today, I knew. So, out came the swim suits, beach towels, lawn chairs, kiddie pool, hoses, beach balls and sand toys. We had a 'faux' beach going on in our back yard.

...popsicles, sun tea, water splashing, children squealing, the smell of sunscreen, birds singing, flowers, bright colors & sunshine...we're getting a taste of summer today.

"Tips, Tricks, & Shortcuts", May 2007

Each month I write the Tips, Tricks, and Shortcuts column for the Hearts @ Home mom's group newsletter. Here is the installment for this month:

Tips, Tricks, & Shortcuts
May 2007

When going on summer outings with your children, dress them all in the same bright color so your eye can easily spot them while they play. This will be especially helpful in places where it may be crowded (the park, carnival, fair, farmer’s market, etc.).

Make a summer plan with your children, and write it out to post in the ‘hub’ of your home, where all can refer to it. First, brainstorm with them, “What are some things you would like to do to make this the best summer ever?” Give them each a turn, and write down a list of all their answers. Sketch out the calendar of summer, blocking out the activities that are already planned (like vacations, summer camps, etc.), so that they can see just how many ‘free’ days there really are in the summer. Discuss how the household should be run in order for you to have time to do the fun things (establish their morning routine, and that chores need to be done first). Together discuss and choose some realistic goals for summer fun using the list you made. Of course, you may not be able to do everything they wish, but they will get excited to be involved in planning, and you will be more likely to follow through if you have made a plan ahead of time. Don’t forget to add some memorable, but simple things you can do at home together: making homemade popsicles, creating obstacle courses in the yard using everyday objects, running through the sprinklers, scavenger hunts, sleeping out under the stars, or picking berries and making jam or pie. You will be amazed how a little planning can make for the best summer ever!

Introduce your children to a ‘theme of the week’, based on a Biblical character trait and Scripture, throughout the summer. Ask them to notice and report back how this theme was lived out by members of the family that week Share stories from when you were a kid learning relatable life lessons. Incorporate any idea you come up with related to the week’s theme (a song, craft, game), that will help your children to store the lesson in their hearts. Don’t think of it as ‘summer break’, but as ‘summer opportunity’. We really have to be proactive in instilling Biblical principles, because it just doesn’t happen on its own (as Deut. 6:7 says, “Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home…walk…lie down…get up …”) This doesn’t have to take much time or planning, but the effort will be rewarded as the Lord is faithful in blessing families who are diligent in seeking Him.