Can you believe its August 1st! Time to start a count down to the new school year……

Yes I am just about ready for the school year to start. Between going to camps, spending time with their grandparents, and doing other fun things, my girls have had a fabulous and busy summer. Every summer I try to space out all the activities for them so they have something to look forward to each week, whether it’s a camp, a trip to the movies, or the water park.

 Now that they are almost 8 and 9 it’s time for them to start doing things around the house too.  Since they are home with the babysitter, on some days it’s good for them to be little working bees.  Yes, the apple is not going to fall far from this tree.  The summer is a great time for kids to learn how to do dishes, put their own clothes away, and clean up! The way to motivate my girls is by giving them a little reward after their finished. They have to do their duties or they don’t get to do any fun activities. I try to keep pre-made cookies that they can bake and eat after they put all their clothes away or even an art project. If they get all of their weekly duties finished, a little trip to the movies is a big treat for them also! I know it’s not summer break for us mom’s, our life goes on as normal with demands and work, but I want my kids to remember having GREAT SUMMERS, so I try at least one time a week to do something fun or surprise them by showing up in the middle of the day for a quick trip for some ice cream or taking them to spend the last few hours of the day at the local water park. It is up to us to show our kids how to stay busy and teach them how to entertain themselves while hanging out at home during the day.

Here are some movies my girls have loved this summer…

Here are some crafts that my girls have enjoyed…