headband, chores, lunch, bucket

It was warm yesterday. Finally. When Carl is away I have to do his chores.  It's hard for me to find the time to exercise when he's gone, so I didn't mind doing a little mowing and vacuuming. Besides, I got some sun.

Most meals are made in an assembly line around here. Seeing all those lunch plates lined up makes me smile. Especially when they come back to me empty.

We've spent a couple days getting our Summer Bucket List together.  We've done this before and it just helps us feel as though we're celebrating the summer versus just letting it slip by. There are tons of ideas out there, just google it or use pinterest. 

The kids had some input on ours. Their suggestions were refreshingly simple. Laurel wanted to "watch clouds.' I can do that. 

Our foam strips are color coded. Green for all day trips, blue for projects, orange for baking, etc. The girls take turns pulling one out each morning AFTER their morning routines and chores are finished (I'm going to ask Carl to spruce up the look of our morning routine/chore charts. Maybe I'll have a free download for you soon!?) 

I snuck one in just for good measure.

Comments

[April]

I love the idea of color coding the list. I've written down a few things but I guess I need to involve the kids in the rest of our plans. Lunch looks great. I have glass parfait cups
too. Guess I need to bring them out for some summer eating. :-)

[Dzhan]

You inspire me. (as does Laurel)

[Kathy]

What kind of sunscreen do you like to use on yourself and the kids? I've been struggling with using the various sunscreens we've always used or going more natural (without the oxybenzone).
Thoughts?
Love the parfaits!

[jessie]

can't wait to see the bucketlist (maybe?)

[Sarah Kelly]

fun, fun, fun! And now I want a parfait...why is your blog always making me hungry! :)

[Jill]

Tell me more about your pool. Pros and cons? I've been working on a proposal for one to my husband but need more info. Do you leave it up all year? If so, is it on a patio or on the grass? How do you handle kids friends wanting to come play in your yard when the pool is in use? We have 5-9 year old boys that roam from house to house around here and I'm not sure what rules we'd have to put in place. Because I'm a nut about stuff like that.

Also, I love your bucket list and am excited for your chore charts! Thank you!

[Libby]

Hey Jill. We were given a 24 ft (diameter) pool when we moved into our house. It is an above ground, hard-sided pool. It was ours before we landscaped so it sits on dirt and we had to bring in some sand. Putting it up was NOT fun and required lots of additional hands to help. We do leave it up all year for that reason. It is all one depth- 4 ft (our choosing). In the wintertime we drain the water down below the skimmer (about 12 inches). It usually freezes solid. In the spring we fill it back up, fire up the filter, shock it, vacuum it and it is pretty much good to go. Weekly maintenance includes chlorine, filter backwashing, and keeping the bugs out (scooping them with a net). The kids love it. With the exception of Ian they can all touch the bottom. I allow them to swim only when an adult is outside. We don't hover nearby. I'm happy to garden or read on the deck or something. We have a ladder that pulls out when they are finished. This keeps Ian from being able to climb in. I'm serious about that rule. If you forget to take the ladder out- you lose your swimming privileges. The neighbor kids are welcome to swim in it as long their parents say it is ok. It does make us rather popular in the summer. We love it and it is a nice way to enjoy the summer without in the privacy of our backyard. Hope that helps!

[Libby]

Hi Kathy. We like Alba Organics sunscreen, but mostly the kids wear their rash guard shirts and we just limit our time in the sun. Vitamin D is good for you!

[Matt]

Thanks for sharing this great lense. Completely loved the idea of color coding the lists.