FIFTY DAYS OF SUMMER FUN: WEEK 6

We’re halfway through the summer!  The weather here is hot and sunny - not a cloud in the sky.  So, look for quite a few outdoor activities this week.  Join in a few, and be sure to submit suggestions of your own to add!

MONDAY:  Since it has been so hot here, my boys have been inside most of the time.  However, I do manage to get them out of doors for a little while each day.  Today, we’re going to cool off outside!  While my boys love squirt guns, I’m not that keen on them (there’s just something weird about my three year-old holding an Uzi-looking water gun…).  So, I invested in a couple of Dollar Store squirt bottles.  They hold TONS more water than a squirt gun and are just as effective!  Unscrew the nozzle for a more direct spray, or leave the nozzle almost closed for a mist effect!  If I’m lucky, they’ll also water the plants for me…

TUESDAY:  We’re putting a spin on Jell-o today.  My boys are making blue Jell-o today, but we’re going to add whipped topping to it after it sets for about 90 minutes.  The result is an amazing concoction we call “fluff”.  Add as much or as little whipped topping as you desire.  The more, the fluffier!  Use a hand mixer to combine until smooth.  It is the perfect summertime treat.  Not a fan of blue Jell-o?  Any flavor will do!  What a treat!

WEDNESDAY:  We definitely need to get out of the house, so after our stop at the library, we’re taking our bikes to the local park. We love to ride bikes and we love to go to the park so we’re combining them today! And if it is raining today where you are, how about sending some lovin’ through a little Monk-e-Mail today? My boys LOVE sending this to Daddy at work and the grandparents as well!

THURSDAY: Make your own beach activity today without even going to the beach!  Take a piece of heavy paper or cardboard and doodle on it with a bottle of glue…the more squiggly lines and swirls, the better!  Then, flip the creation over in the sandbox (if you don’t have a sandbox, sprinkle sand on top of it).  Viola!  Sand art!  When it dries, it makes a GREAT tactile creation for little ones!

FRIDAY:  Turn off the TV, put the car keys away for an evening, and have a Family Game Night!  Whether it be “Peek a Boo” with a baby, “I Spy” with a toddler, or your kids’ favorite board and card games, make tonight a night of games.  If you are tired of the same old games, pull out a deck of cards and learn a new card game (US Playing Card website has some great children’s card games).  Or combine the pieces from a few board games and create your own unique game. 

That’s it for this week!