Summer Fun Jar, week 2

Well, week two went a little off kilter. But excited to get back to it for week three..

Day one: "Letters to Grandma and Grandpa Self"

Day two: "Letter to Grandma and Grandpa Thoma"

Both of these days I had hoped to inspire some sweet notes, and of course it a certain way they did write them, but the excitement level was off. It as "off" all week so I know it wasn't about this activity in particular. Now it is my responsibility to get these in the mail...

Day three : WE TOTALLY FORGOT!!

Yup, that's right...funny thing was we didn't have anything on the schedule to keep up busy or distracted it just was one of those lazy summer kinda of days...not complaining!!!

Day four: "Went out to lunch"

Jacob finished his first week of summer school so this was perfectly timed, and always enjoyed by all the kids.

Day five: "Hot Rock Crayon Art"

We took river rocks from our front yard, set them to 'bake' in the backyard all day and by about 5pm, we grabbed the crayons and had some melty art fun. This was one of the coolest things we have done. I can see each individual in their rocks and I love their creativity. This is just another twist on a typical summer art project and now they help decorate my front porch!

Summer Fun Jar - week 1

We just completed our first week of the "Summer Fun Jar" and I have to say it has been a huge hit. I do not plan on doing the activities on the weekends. I want to document this summer obviously for our own family memories but also to show other moms out in the blog world that this is beyond easy and your kids will enjoy it more than you will ever know.

Day one: "Bike Parade"

Thanks to some great friends at church who wanted to do this over a camping weekend and adapted it to fit here at home as a jar activity. $20 at the dollar store for streamers, party decorations and glow sticks!! A funny note about this activity in particular, Jacob made the comment to Shane on the way home from soccer practice that he did not really want to do this when I described it to him, but once he got started and it was getting dark he was so glad he decided to join the fun. THIS right here is why I am doing this jar thing this summer...I do not have many more summers left that he will want to participate, and I plan to make the most of the time I do have!

(I need your grace for the picture quality...I am not the best at evening/dark light action shots)

Day two: "Water balloon fight"

No explanation needed except that we lined the four older ones up first thing so Grace could get her best shot at hitting them because once it started she was going to be out gunned. And yes, the referee is on the trampoline watching for any personal fouls and such.

Day three: "Backwards Day"

I enjoyed this one more than I thought. I took it to the next level from when the kids had it in preschool. I made hamburgers and hot dogs for breakfast and pancake, bacon, and eggs for dinner. This was unique because it was an all day affair. The kids all put their clothes on backwards and laughed all day when they would talk to be about doing things backwards. The other major thing I loved about this one it is cost no money. I have everything on hand it was just a matter of changing up the schedule. One word of caution, hamburgers in the morning are HEAVY for the stomach...but again, totally worth it!

Day four: "Make cookies for the neighbors"

Samantha helped make the cookies, but all the kids went to deliver them. I think is a great opportunity to not only serve someone else by making  their day, but it is great to branch out to neighbors you may not know all that well, or never met.

Come back next week for our second week jar adventure!

My plans on getting through the summer

I created a Summer Fun Jar thanks to Pinterest. I was concerned about getting through the summer with no big vacation planned this year. I was concerned that the days would go super long, with fighting and attitude problems. I needed to give my five little ones a reason to focus each day, or at least as many days as our schedule allows. Pinterest had some great ideas...several had created this type of jar with as many as 50+ different things to do. There was one major problem...most of these people live in places that are not 110 degrees in the summer. they had things like a stroll through the neighborhood, a hike, and bike ride to a place for lunch. These are just not realistic in AZ. I created about 25, and some of them are repeated because we could do a water balloon fight every day if we wanted. So...if you are feeling stumped, give this a try!! And remember, some of these things you can participate with them, or they can do on their own...either way your kids will come away with some pretty fantastic summer memories!!

I will say we have had three choices picked already this week and it is working exactly how I hoped. They pick the night before, taking turns, and then we plan for it the next day. I have done the "event" in the evening and they are excited all day. Score one in the win column for this mom!

A long weekend = cabin trip!!

It was perfectly timed with the fact that summer has most definitely arrived...when my car temp sensor read 111 early last week that was the last straw! We got a little more than we bargained for as a cool front blew in...and I mean literally BLEW in! It was very windy on Fri and Sat and down right chilly. Our poor friends all camping on the rim were getting the brunt of the bone chilling wind but they were in good spirits when we went to visit them. I read a started and finished a book in one weekend and spent nearly moment outside reading on Sunday. The cool, fresh air bathed my soul!!

I only took three pictures this weekend and some of the kids were exploring when I took them so they are not present...but we vow to go back as often as possible this summer to escape the heat oppression.

 Morning coffee on the patio, watching and Ironman marathon in preparation of seeing The Avengers and of course three of my babes!

Slip-n-slide

Yes, we have a pool, and yes we would NEVER trade that for anything...(not with ADHD kids, they need the outlet), but it was also a ton of fun to pull out the slip-n-slide for several hours of unabandoned fun. Some got skills...so not so much, but all enjoyed the water and fun.\

Nathan did enjoy this activity too but during the picture taking time he was having some quiet, reflection time in the house...I will have to get him next time.

Bam...sometimes it hits you smack in the chest

I was walking around my house, cleaning this and that...probably picking up after the lil tornadoes. I tend to get deep in thought at times of un-abandoned cleaning. I had just cleaned out the fridge, something I should do way more often but get grossed out easily so I have to work up the nerve. I walked into the front room, and looked at the family picture on the wall...something I do a thousand times a day, but this was different. I was all of a sudden hit with a huge wave of emotion...I was smacked in the chest with love for my family. I stood there briefly paralyzed as I looked at my family's faces...MY family. I was overcome with peace and awe. Never did I envision this 'family' for myself. Never did I think I would have 5 kids, let alone three of them a completely different race. I cried happy tears. I am complete. I am a mom to amazing kids that make me crazy at times but would never ever have it any other way. I love following the One who has a perfect plan. I love this life...right here, right now.

I think this moment in my normal routine was perfectly, divinely planned. He knows what I am up against...SUMMER! School has ended and for the first time in a couple years we are not planning a huge summer vacation, meaning I will have nearly three months of being home with my crew. They love each other sometimes, tolerate each other most of the time and enrage each other here and there. Summer is great and it can also seems like the days are really long. I am thankful for God's little moment this morning...and I pray I can cling to it on the days that are not fun.

Here's to summer my friends...may it be filled with fun and memories.

Chicken Enchilada Soup

For those of you that follow my blog regularly, and if you have ever wondered if my husband makes fun of me taking pictures of my food the answer is YES!!

This turned out to be an amazing dish, and I know it because ALL, did I say all, of my kids ate it and enjoyed it!! (raise the roof)

It was really simple and tasted even better the next day...

Chicken Enchilada Soup (made in the crock pot)

1 pkg chicken breast tenders, chopped
1 can of tomato sauce (I used tomato paste because it is what I had on hand)
1 onion, chopped
2 bell peppers, chopped (or one if it is large)
1 can black beans
1.5 cups of frozen corn
1 can of diced tomatoes (I used one that had green chilies and was fire roasted...yum)
1/3 pkg of chili seasoning
1/2 teaspoon of garlic pepper
4 cups of chicken broth
cilantro (as much or as little as you want...I LOVE it so I have a lot)

Combine all ingredients and cook 6-8 hrs depending on the heat of your crock pot (mine cooks hot...so 6 hrs was perfect)

Toppings
Avacado, sliced or cubed
cheese
sour cream
(crush some tortilla chips for a crunch as you eat)

Make a large batch and keep half in the freezer for a quick meal on a crazy night!

ENJOY!!