Summer O' Fun

Today is the first official day of summer vacation.  The kids were up sometime after 5 am, but well before 6 am.  Eileen was upset she didn't get to go to school.  By 8 am, everyone was dressed, hair combed and teeth brushed, fed/caffeinated, clothes folded and put away, chores done, plants watered, workbook pages completed, and books read to/with mama.  Glancing at the clock I knew it was going to be a long day.

I had warned the kids before the start of break that we would not be having any screen time in the morning unless it was earned.  In the days leading up to the end of school I made a list of possible adventures, selected a variety of science and sensory activities to do at home, and compiled all the necessary items needed to complete the activities.  I did not anticipate needing to delve into my bag of tricks as early as 8 am on Day 1.

These are the three books we are using this summer.  I picked about 20 activities total.

First up, the spiderweb, requiring only yarn and painters tape.  We had fun making it.  Robin did not approve.

 Linus decided to add spiders.  As the morning progressed, the web got more intricate.

The idea is that the kids have to try to pass through the web.  I also blew up some balloons for them to pass through.  Eventually, Linus attached the string to himself and pretended he was a spider and tried to scale the refrigerator and kitchen counters.  Eileen was happy to be caught in this web.  I found him spinning her, preparing to feast.  I was relieved the web provided entertainment throughout the day.

At 9 am, Robin's therapist came over.  We all played outside, while helping Robin practice things like walking on uneven ground and climbing ladders.  Linus made a call to Grandma, who came over, and joined us for a game of croquet after therapy.

By the end of the game, it was only 11 am.  We drank lemonade.  I made the kids lunch, compiled dessert and dinner in crockpots (vanilla custard and indian spiced lentils with chicken).  Robin went down for a nap and the kids rode bikes in the driveway.  I somehow managed to load the dishwasher, fill the wading pool, and put the big kids down for their mandatory 1 hour rest, and then fell asleep.

It's now about 3 pm.  The kids are using their earned screen time.  When Robin wakes up, we'll head outside to play in the wading pool (which will now be relatively warm) until it's time for karate.  After karate, the kids will eat dinner in their pajamas while I take a shower (the upside to karate is I get to workout since it's at the YCMA).  Then I'll put all three kids to bed, collapse on the couch, and wait for Dave to come home so we can watch more of Orange is the New Black.

And that will be the end of a very very long day.  I am hopeful that tomorrow will not start so early.