FIFTY DAYS OF SUMMER FUN: WEEK 5

Whew!  Last week was a whirlwind, but the summer heat is starting to get to us, and we’re looking for ways to cool off around here!  Let’s take a look at this week’s activities!

MONDAY:  Beat the heat with these chilly necklaces!  Take an ice cube tray and fill it halfway full with water and freeze.  Then, cut pieces of plastic straws to just fit inside the ice cube trays and drop one on each cube horizontally.  Fill the tray up with water and freeze again.  Take the cubes out, string them on a ribbon and now you have a frozen necklace!  These are great for playing outside in the yard and grabbing a bit of a cool treat in the process.

TUESDAY:  We posted a great popsicle recipe a couple of weeks ago, and since then I’ve found an awesome frozen yogurt pop recipe!  Mix low-fat vanilla yogurt with your favorite fruits: strawberries, melons, bananas, blueberries and cherries are great choices.  Blend everything together in a blender for about 30 seconds, then pour into paper cups.  Cover with foil and poke a popsicle stick through the top and into the cup.  If you do not have popsicle sticks, plastic spoons can be used; simply poke them through the top of the foil before covering the cup.  Freeze for at least four hours.  Peel off the paper cup and enjoy!

WEDNESDAY:  Book day!  Be sure to stop by your library or swap books with a friend.  While we are out at the library, we’re going to stop at our local bowling alley for a game or two.  Our bowling alley runs a special on Wednesday for school-aged kids - free shoe rental and dollar games!  It is air-conditioned and enclosed; what could be better?  No bowling alley near you?  Make your own!  Use empty water bottles and a small ball.  Set up your “lane” down a hallway and bowl a game or two today!

THURSDAY:  It has been dry and dusty here, and quite frankly, my car is taking a beating.  So, we’re declaring today “Pamper The Automobile” day!  We are getting out our sponges and buckets and soaping down the car this morning.  My guess is everyone is going to get a little bit wet, but that will be perfect in this heat!  After we’re done washing Old Bessie, we’re cleaning out the inside.  After all, we’re only halfway through the summer and the “stuff” is getting quite thick on the floorboards!  Time to pull out the old socks, the papers from Sunday School, the empty fruit snack packets and all the other “treasures” my children have stowed in the back seat. 

FRIDAY:  Homemade pizza time!  For this one, I always end up with an extra mouth or two around…tonight, my older child will be having a couple of friends stay the night, so this is perfect!  I’m not kitchen-worthy enough to create my own crust, so we use the Boboli brand crust in the deli department of our grocery store.  Making your own crust would be great, though.  If you would rather make individual pizzas, try using bagels for a different spin.  Spread some sauce on your crust, put on your favorite toppings and loads of cheese, pop in the oven for about 10 minutes (for premade crust) and then enjoy!  Want to try something different?  Use the Pillsbury dough crust, bake, top with cream cheese and fruit, and eat.  Or, try topping your crust with melted butter, sugar and cinnamon for a delicious dessert!