By Heather O.
Summer time. It’s our vacation.
If you are not, at this very moment, boogying in your head to the tune from HSM2, you obviously don’t live in my house.
It’s just begun, but already the sighs of “There is nothing to do!” have reverberated through our home. One drawback of public school is that J is used to having every single moment of his day structured. Now, with the loosey goosey-ness of summer upon us, the child is lost, and looks to his mother for guidance. And excuse me for thinking that 2 events in one day is enough to satifsy his need for activity. I guess we need 3 events. Or 4. Or 5. Basically, my son thinks that a new learning perspective must occur in half hour or 45 minute increments throughout the day.
Oh, somebody please shoot me.
While typing this post, my baby climbed into the laundry basket, spread all the dirty laundry all over my floor, then threw my son’s underwear into my dog’s water bowl, which I forgot to remove before letting her (the baby) loose. When I tried to take it away, she pitched a fit, so she is now dipping it in and out, letting the water spread all over herself and my kitchen floor.
It’s gonna be a long summer.




I totally lucked out and got into the summer session of preschool. Glory be, I am soooo happy. Starts Monday. I am counting the minutes. Tick tock.
Comment #1 by BridgetJune 13th, 2008 at 10:12 amUhm, that is, I got my KIDS into the summer session of preschool. Not me. But you probably figured that out.
Comment #2 by BridgetJune 13th, 2008 at 10:13 amI liked my first mental image, Bridget, of you napping and eating graham crackers, and your preschoolers left with the laundry and dishes.
Comment #3 by Ardis E. ParshallJune 13th, 2008 at 11:00 amI wasn’t thinking HSM2 until you mentioned it. Thanks–now it’s stuck in my head. (Like it was for weeks and weeks. That happens when you have two girls just the right age for that show.) Summer so far . . . not too bad. But we’ve been busy with soccer camp and stuff. In another week or so,I might be dying for school to start again.
Comment #4 by AnnetteJune 13th, 2008 at 11:17 amSchool just got out 29 minutes ago here. I’ve already given everyone a popsicle, made rice crispy treats, and shuttled them outside to play.
I can’t do the scheduled summers. On one hand, I’m wary of the long, hot days stretching before us, but on the other hand, they won’t stay bored- they’ll find stuff to do- we have a great backyard, we live on a cul-de-sac- and while I’ve been trying to write this comment, Bean has screamed twice for me to come push his swing, Abby had dumped her plate of ravioli on the floor and Jeffrey is dragging Bean’s bike across the lawn by the rear training wheel.
Aaaaaand summer yawn before me like a gaping hell mouth.
Comment #5 by Tracy MJune 13th, 2008 at 11:39 amThis lament is the secret joy of teachers: we LOVE to hear, usually just a few days off) how parents are so relieved to bring there kids back to school(”he was driving me crazy!”). Now multiply by 30 (our class load).
Comment #6 by ESOJune 13th, 2008 at 12:09 pmWe are finishing our first week of summer break. I put my boys in an all day NASA camp for the week, which helped. One week down 10 to go. I’ve found a great way to ease the pain of having to hear “I’m bored” fifteen zillion times a day - chocolate. (Check out the fmh post.) Of course I gain 15 pounds - yes I’m an emotional eater. Even my best intentions of daily structure get pushed aside by week 3, so I’m no help on giving tips for ways to survive.
Comment #7 by AbbyJune 13th, 2008 at 12:14 pmOh gosh, please don’t wish it away– I need it!
Of course, this is me, who also volunteered to do summer school which starts in another week. But it’s going back to my roots- 2nd graders– should be nice and refreshing change from high schoolers!
Comment #8 by MelJune 13th, 2008 at 12:39 pmSchool’s Out! Scream and shout! I love High School Musical!
I’m not done with summer yet, but give me another week.
I’ve done daycare for the last 3 years–but quit right before summer, so having just my own kids to keep occupied seems like nothing!
I recommend craft sticks and glue (they come up with all kinds of houses and stuff), fuse beads, and Legos.
Comment #9 by Lesley CoxJune 13th, 2008 at 12:40 pm@ Ardis - What a wonderful life that would be. Could you just imagine it?
Comment #10 by BridgetJune 13th, 2008 at 1:02 pmI was so excited to sleep in today. The kids were all up late last night, so I knew they would sleep late. And what happens, 6 a.m. and my eyes pop open!!!! I guess it will take awhile to get used to sleeping in again.
Comment #11 by CDJune 13th, 2008 at 1:10 pmShannon from Rocks in my Dryer posts a huge list of every possible game and activity she can think of on the fridge to keep her kids occupied. If they’re bored, she sends them to the list. If they’re still bored, this summer she’ll give them the Mom list (chores).
Probably a bit much for preschoolers or maybe even a 1st grader, but not necessarily.
Comment #12 by Emily CJune 13th, 2008 at 1:11 pmhahaha! that’s so funny! summer is here! But is it not possible Heather that you can post some photos of J? I can imagine. So cute, spreading the laundry! haha.
Anyways, what are your thoughts about this?
http://jbsolis.blogspot.com/2008/06/kirby-heyborne-standing-for-something.html
Comment #13 by kenjebzJune 13th, 2008 at 1:14 pmLucky me! My kids aren’t in school yet so they don’t have high expectations. I love summer because we can actually go OUTSIDE and play. It is wonderful!
Comment #14 by Honey MommyJune 13th, 2008 at 1:44 pmWe are on day 4 of summer vacation. So far, I am still relieved for the down time. There will be days when I can’t wait to send them back to school, but not yet…
Comment #15 by Michelle AMJune 13th, 2008 at 1:59 pmkenjebz-
Sorry, no pictures. It’s this thing I have.
And I don’t know what to think about Kirby Heybourne doing a beer commercial. Seems sorta like a poor judgement call on his part, as he must have anticipated the backlash he’s getting, but then again, I don’t know what his bank account looks like. Probably looks better now than it did, though.
Comment #16 by Heather O.June 13th, 2008 at 2:12 pmI guess you will all hate me when I tell you that I used to look forward to having the children out of school for the summer. Maybe I was really lucky with my six, but I do know some young mothers who feel the same way.
For me, it was a release from all the tension of so many scheduled activities. We didn’t do a lot of special things in the summer, just mostly hung around the house. Weekly trips to the library were a staple, and we took walks and went to the park.
Because my children seemed to function better with some sort of structure, they did have charts with daily chores and responsibilites, which included housekeeping and meal preparation and cleanup. They also had goals such as reading a certain amount of time (this was hard for the reluctant readers), practicing the piano, being physically active (this was hard for the bookworms!), and serving others (mostly mother or younger siblings).
Playing “school” was quite popular, with the older ones as the teachers. Board games, Lego, Play-Doh, art projects and various kinds of imaginary play also absorbed a lot of time.
You’ve heard it a million times, but I’ll say it again: the years when your children are young will be gone before you know it. Relax and enjoy them while you can, especially during school vacations!
Comment #17 by RoAnnJune 13th, 2008 at 2:31 pmWe are just finishing week 3 of summer break - we only have 8 total, so we are almost halfway! I have made up a weekly sticker chart of things for my kids to do everyday (some fun things and some work things) and when they tell me they are bored, I tell them to go do something on their chart and come back when it’s all full - it never fills up, but the novelty is starting to wear off…
On a side note about Kirby, we saw the commercial on TV a week ago or so… everyone yelled, “hey, it’s Kirby”… and then our faces fell when we realized what kind of commercial it was. My kids idolize Kirby in his LDS roles, I hope this doesn’t start a new trend with him!
Comment #18 by christyJune 13th, 2008 at 3:02 pmLet’s go and have the time of our lives!
Comment #19 by LindsayJune 13th, 2008 at 3:33 pmIt’s all the same around here, homeschooling family that we are, except the pools are open and the library is handing out goodies. Those are good things.
The oldest monkey is learning to drive in July. So June is welcome to stay as long as it wants!
Comment #20 by JamiJune 13th, 2008 at 5:37 pm“The oldest monkey is learning to drive in July”
Wow. That could be a summer to remember.
I don’t think any of my kids will get to learn how to drive until they’re something like 21 or 23.
We have 11 weeks of summer vacation for the kids starting on Tuesday. Monday is a snow make up day if you can believe it. A couple of weeks ago I started to plan some activities but then a couple of urgent things came up and I haven’t gotten back to that. It might just be swimming lessons and piano practice and “amuse yourselves, darling children.”
Comment #21 by ResearcherJune 13th, 2008 at 6:12 pmWe were one day into summer vacation and I was already missing my few hours of peace and quiet. My husband teaches and has summers off, which is good and a little bad. I am not used to so many people here all at once…all day long. Snow Days are worse, at least we can go outside.
Comment #22 by KatieJune 13th, 2008 at 6:12 pmSo far we’re actually doing ok at my house. But it’s early yet.
Comment #23 by Alison WonderlandJune 13th, 2008 at 9:07 pmWe are only one week into Summer vacation here. The activities my kids are supposed to take part in won’t make it any less hectic than the school year though. All three of my boys and my husband leave to scout camp next week, for a week. Then it is music rock camp for another week.
At least it is summer in FL all year long so if I don’t get enough time at the pool and the beach now, I can still enjoy it in January LOL. Actually I miss the cold and the mountains. Only two more years until we can leave this place. We were going to drive to UT in July, but it looks like the gas prices are stopping that plan.
Snow days aren’t as bad as hurricane days. Imagine being trapped in the house during the summer with no AC (and the possibility of alligators on your porch LOL). Luckily we have only had one scare since we moved here. I hope this summer fares as well.
Comment #24 by MykJune 14th, 2008 at 6:49 amOhhhh…. po’ babies…. MY KIDS ARE STILL IN SCHOOL FOR 2 MORE WEEKS!!!!
The cherry on top is that they’re transitioning from a year-round schedule to a modified traditional one. Translation? School might be out on June 26th, but it’s right back in on August 11th!
Sweeeeet….
Did I mention that daddy is a teacher? And that he’ll be spending summer with us? And that I have all boys that need to spend lots and lots of time with their daddy? Sans mommy?
Comment #25 by SallyGirlJune 14th, 2008 at 8:55 amWell, luckily my children are just a bit above the age of other children who have watched HSM so I don’t know the song y’all are talking about. But there is a song that I think of when school gets out by Alice Cooper, “School’s Out!” You know, the one that goes, “School’s out for summer!!! School’s out forever!!!” Yeah, that’s what plays in my head. But oh do I know about the “summertime blues.” That is, the summertime blues that us parents get. *Sigh*
Comment #26 by Carole G.June 14th, 2008 at 10:16 amOur school isn’t out until June 25 and I love summer, and I can hardly wait for it. I’m a teacher, can’t ya tell? Oh blessed be summer and HSM and the lazy days that go along with waking up LATE. (The kids, DH and I all have to be at school by 7:00 AM.)
Summer. Sweet summer.
Comment #27 by meemsJune 14th, 2008 at 11:06 amAt least the bright spot of summer is no seminary and lots of sleeping in. But alas it is wayyyy to hot (115+) to play outside. So we go to the library, they have a great summer reading program. And lots of evening picnics at the lake. And hopefully camping up in Flagstaff. So Kirby Heyborne gave an interview basically saying he has to feed his family and a national commercial will do that. He also had to contend with the writers strike. He said he and his wife discussed it and felt that he needed to do it. I was disappointed but I can understand his position.
Comment #28 by pollyJune 14th, 2008 at 5:02 pmDo any of you work a full-time office jobs? My problem with school being out this Weds. and having all four kids home from Jr. High/High School/University is the GIGANTIC mess they make. Does anyone else rue summer for this reason? The usual backpacks on the steps/snack mess on the counter is multiplied times twenty when I get home from work now. There’s brunch, late lunch, mom’s-not-home-to-fix-dinner-but-I’m-hungry snack mess plus whatever they’ve done all day mess. Uggh. Of course, the oldest works and rarely comes home before midnight, and Mr. High School says he’s going to work (I’ll believe it when I see it), but mainly they mess up the house, make lots of laundry, eat lots of food and somehow forget where the gargage pail lives and leave all their trash on the counter. Gotta love teenagers!
Comment #29 by JulieJune 16th, 2008 at 3:03 pmI was home all last week for my son’s first week out of school (he starts middle school in the fall. I can feel the gray hairs blooming as we speak) and he learned really fast that complaints of being bored were going to be met with suggestions of chores that needed to be done.
By Wednesday he figured out how to entertain himself. All day.
Comment #30 by Chad TooJune 16th, 2008 at 3:11 pm