Weeds and Wishes of this Summer.

I haven't been around lately... 

obviously

The past several months have been filled with much joy and much sorrow. 

Wishes and Weeds right? Life is full of both.

The Wishes: birth of my baby boy, spending time with family in california for a wedding, watching my sister get married, spending carefree summer days outside, saying goodbye to my job .

The Weeds: Loosing my darling niece Ivory who was born three months early, knowing that my brother and sister-in-law had to experience such a loss, having to say goodbye to my family after spending several weeks together, dropping Little Man off to his first day of preschool, saying goodbye to my job.

For some reason I haven't been able to bring myself to the computer to write. I can't decide if I am just not feeling inspired-

or just tired. 

(What mom is not tired?)

No-I think I just would rather be snuggling my babies.

So I think I will.

besitos,

P.S. I noticed I have a lot of inquires about my visual schedule and chore charts printables- I will get back to you as soon as possible. If you don't hear from me- email me. (again)

Bianca Merkley and The Sea Shell Song

Happy Music Monday everyone...

Just in case you missed it. I was over here last week sharing Bee's latest children's song "Shake Your Sea Shells." But don't forget to make a seashell shaker to go along to the music! 

Check it out here for more photos and info.

 Sea shell shakers: All you need is a glass or plastic bottle (depending on age of child) and then add some sand and seashells- and there you go- a seashell shaker!!

Enjoy a little bit of beach fun without having to leave your home!

besitos, xo

My Date with our Summer Jars.

It is time for my annual summer list .
You know the list that little man and I must complete before summer is over. We almost completed the list last year!

And this year I have made Summer Jars to help us get started.
I will be showing you how to make these lovelies next Tuesday on How Does She.  So, get excited.

Our Summer list?

Fly a kite

Dandelion blowing

Catching butterflies

Swimming

Sprinklers

Water fight

Camping in the backyard

Making a fort

Blow bubbles

Make sandcastle

Stare at the clouds

Picnic

Go to the Zoo

Go to the art Museum

Finger Paint

Sidewalk chalk

Scavenger Hunt

Bike Ride

Feed the birds

Roast marshmellos

Camping
Fishing

Rolling down a grassy hill

Walk the dog

Hopscotch

Bug catching

Pinterst craft

Paper airplane contest

Plant flowers

Learn to paint something new

Learn to draw something new

Scrapbook

Photo walk

Slip n Slide

Water balloon fight

5 dollars at dollar store
Water Park

Have a Happy unbirthday
Make Homemade Lemonade
Make homemade bread
Photo Walk
Downtown Walk
Farmers Market
Plant something
Italian Sodas
Go on a hike
Botanical Gardens
Ice Cream in Hyde Park
Snow Shack visit
Sew something
Play Horseshoe
Throw a football around
Frisbee
Summer vacation
McCall, ID
Service Project
Bon Fire
Soccer Game
Try a new park


Words from Cristi the Counselor:
 I can't stress enough as a counselor working with children how important it is to continue a routine in the summer. Too often children who seem to do well during the school year struggle in the summer due to a lack of structure and boredom.  I am not saying plan every waking moment- but plan activities that still keep your children challenged, learning, working, creating, playing, and exercising. Not only will they be that more prepared for the next grade but they won't come to you grumbling about being bored.

HowDoesShe.com has some great and FREE printables for a reading activity for your kiddos-  Check it out here- it made me wish Little Man was reading so we could get started on this fun game!

Some ideas to keeping kids engaged in a summer routine are:
-Plan ahead and create a daily schedule (see here for my visual schedule tutorial)
-Have a set time they wake up every morning- same with bedtime.
-Pay to play- work first and then play.
-Don't forget  to schedule special play time
-Hang a sign on your outside doorknob that tells neighborhood kids when your kids are and are not available to play.
-Limit TV time
-Create a Summer Jar (check out Howdoesshe.com tomorrow for tutorial)


Don't let this Summer get away from you!

Seize the day. 

I want to know what's on your Summer list?

Besitos

xo

farewell summer

Last week of summer:

corn on the cob

farmers market

lemons

bubbles

oreo cupcake

grilling

cold drinks

frozen yogurt

laying in the grass

trips to the park

wondering downtown

jogging

meeting new neighbors

swinging on the swings

watching the clouds

playing with the hose

Goodbye Summer- you will be missed.

What will you do on your last day of summer?

Besitos, xoxo

SEVEN days of summer.



El Salvador trip Summer 2011

Oh how I love summer... You will have to excuse my excessive use of beach photos but I have been editing my El Salvador trip so this week I have been totally on a beach kick...but did you know that there are only SEVEN days left until the official day of Fall??? Despite my excitement for Fall (my favorite season) I still feel that Summer deserves attention... it's like skipping Thanksgiving and going right to Christmas...no fair.

So, I checked  SUMMER LIST... I still have a few things I need to do in one week. So, I think it is time to get cracking on crossing off the rest of the list. So, for the next SEVEN days...SEVEN days (why am I getting the creeps saying that...I feel like it's from a scary movie...help me out what movie) I am going to make it a point to live each and every day of the summer to the fullest. Starting now...better hop off.

Happy Friday!!

xoxo, besitos

Dear Beach- I miss you.

El Salvador Summer 2011

Dear Beach- I miss you.

Today all I feel like doing is playing on the beach. But I can't. I live in Idaho. Not only that, but I have a million things to  catch up on with my private practice, organizing the home, and photography deadlines! Ahh. But I am not in the mood to do any of that...nope just build sandcastles. 

Can I just pack up and run away with my family to the beach house for one day... without tv,  phone, emails... just the beach? A girl can dream right? Now, back to editing photos...got a deadline.

xoxo- Besitos, 

Nothing like the fair.

There is nothing like going to the fair... it  brings back memories of being a kid again.

 More photos of this to come...but I'm off to the mountains of McCall for a girls week- so that will have to wait! Don't forget about our giveaway...ends this friday. Go here for more info. 

xoxo, 

Rain Rain

WEED of the day: Being rained on.

WISH of the day: Being rained on.

my day went something like this...

oh rain...pulled out the rain boots...

walked to a local ice cream shop...two please...

sat on the porch and waited for the rain...

  

covered ourselves with ice cream...

ice cream and rain in the summer...

best day ever.

Stay tuned to part two of this adventure... to be continued.
Notice some changes to the blog?  It's currently getting a makeover by the lovely and talented Jenna with q.a. design. Can't wait!

Side Walk Chalk

Monday afternoons are sluggish days for me... mostly because it's the day I am a counselor for part of the day and a mommy for the rest.  Today when I got home I was half tempted to turn on the "tv nanny" and curl up on the couch and take a little mommy nap.... But the summer is only here to stay for a few more months. So, I thought we'd go outside and cross something off our summer list. With not a lot of time to plan something extravagant today- we spent the afternoon creating art on our sidewalk. It was energizing! Summer is not Summer with out sidewalk chalk. 

 Ideas for chalk:

-Hangman

-Pictionary

-See who can wash away their drawing the fastest with a squirt gun

-Dip them in water to make chalk paste

-Write out a secret and spray it away with the hose

-Create a Mandala 
-Trace your body, hand or foot
-Write a love note for someone to find

xx- Cristi

Jar of Fun.

Kids getting bored this summer? I love this idea. I found it at 

The Dailly Digi here. 

Photos by Janet from The Daily Digi  

Photos by Janet from The Daily Digi

I am making one!

xx- Cristi

My Date with Summer... the list.

Summer is officially here. Hmmmm what should be on my summer list?

Water Fight

Fresh lemonade

Swimming Pools

Wakeboarding

Hiking

Camping

Traveling

 Fireworks

Fishing

Garden

Bug Hunts

Homemade Popsicles

Shaved Ice Stops

Longboarding

Rolling in the Grass

Walks to the Park

Flower Smelling

Sidewalk Art

Bubbles

Nature Walks

Music Class

Road Trips

Cloud Watching

Sand Castles

*Sigh* I love summer. What is on your list?

xx- Cristi