I will not be Defeated!

I am a relatively competent woman. I am smart and well educated. Strong. A risk taker. Confident. But there are two words that simply strikes absolutely fear in my heart. 

Summer vacation.

I look and see a long, blank calendar and three bored and restless children - and I am dumb struck with fear and panic. Torn between wanting my kids to have some unstructured down time and the need to fill every moment for them with camps, I sat paralyzed last year - and it was a long summer. 

But not this year. 

This year - I have a plan. 

Inspired by this article, I have spent some time over the past week not only mentally devising my plan, but writing it down. Gathering ideas and information. Talking about it with the girls. Preparing.

First - there will be daily accomplishments for them - reading, workbook and some home chores. Not a lot, just 15 minutes of each every day. Enough to keep their brains working and to give them some focus. They will earn their tv time through completion of their tasks to keep that particular activity managed as well. 

Now - that takes care of 45 minutes every day.....but there's more! 

Each day has a theme - a focus for the activity. Monday's - we move it out and go out to do something, Tuesday it's a craft afternoon, Wednesday is a wild card day, Thursday is an afternoon pool party and Friday is our standing beach date - friends invited. 

Behind Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday is a list of activities to choose from. We have a couple of weeks of VBS and Chinese camp, so there are 8 activities and crafts we need. I have been collecting Groupons for some activities, will use existing memberships to zoo, we have "Kids Bowl Free" coupons and have a list of all the free or $1 movie dates. 

It gives us structure and a plan, but also allows for sleeping late, hanging out, kicking back and being spontaneous.

Summer vacation - give me your best shot! I am ready and will not be defeated!!!