It's not 39 days in a remote location but sometimes summer vacation feels like the Survivor reality show without Jeff Probst and the million bucks. When my boys were little it always seemed the last two weeks were the worst. So we created five summer holidays. We posted them on the family calendar and they really started to look forward these special summer activities. The five days are easy to do and have little or no cost but do require a little planning on you and your childrens part (yes, include them. This will build interest and excitement for the day.)
PAJAMA DAY
This is probably the easiest and most relaxing for mom! Try (if you can) to find a day with either no activities or the fewest possible. Everyone hangs out in their pajamas for the day. Read books alone and together and have breakfast foods for supper. Naps are encouraged!!!
POOL DAY
Pool Day was created because I continually promised my boys we would go to SplashDown in East Peoria http://www.fondulacpark.com/?q=splashdown and some summers it just didn't happen. We had to set a day and make it happen. You could also use this day just to experience another community pool in the area.
I'M BOARD
Get your game face on for this one. This day in all honestly is my least favorite but of course the boys loved it. What sacrifices we make for our children! As the title indicates, we played board games ALL DAY! We played whatever game they wanted until the game ended or they got tired of playing that game (seriously how long can a person play Candyland without going over the edge?). As the boys grew older sometimes we had friends over for this summer holiday which meant I could opt out of some games!
PARK DAY
Pack up the car with snacks, water (lots and lots of water), sunscreen, a small first aid kit, soccer balls, bubbles, sand toys and head to the park. Not just one park-lots of parks. Head out early in the morning when it is cool. Sometimes we would eat breakfast at home and sometimes we would pack a breakfast picnic.
To make your adventure easier, map out a route for the day. Our route usually took us into Peoria first (Glen Oak, RiverPlex, once in a while a school playground) and then back through East Peoria, Morton or Washington. Another idea would be to stop and play in the riverfront fountains (bring towels and dry clothes) Our last stop was always the McDonald's Playland for a late lunch.
When we stopped at the park, the kids would play and would decide when to head out to the next park. Usually we would spend the day just as a family but sometimes we invited other families to participate.
Best part-your kids will sleep good that night!
TEMPLETON DAY
This by far was my boys favorite summer holiday. Do you recognize the name Templeton? If not, Templeton is the lazy, junk food crazy, overeating rat from Charlotte's Web. Do you see where I'm going with this? I am not sure how this day came about but it was a day with very few "No's".
The boys were (within reason) allowed to eat what they wanted and we had their choice of take-out for supper. Cookies for breakfast? Sure! Another snack? Sure!
The other attraction of this day was television and video games. No limits. Like most parents when the boys were little, I limited the amount of television and video games in their day. On Templeton Day, they could watch television, movies and play games until their eyes bugged out.
We would always watch the movie Charlotte's Web the night before Templeton Day. Also, make sure there is a limited number of snacks and junk food available or your child could pick a special junk food for the day.
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Additional Activities-
You and your child can write and illustrate about each day.
Make a graph. Label with the special days and Loved, Liked, Okay, Didn't Like
Hope this helps you enjoy the rest of your summer!
