In May I read a couple blog posts where gals I have never met talked about plans they were making to keep their kids busy this summer. They had elaborate notebooks and wall charts and themes and worksheets – it was something to behold, I tell you.

I am a real sucker for a plan and themes really get me smiling, so I jumped on board! I created a table with each week in a column down the left. I came up with themes, googled and printed worksheets, and planned excursions to match each theme. It was a work of beauty.

I don’t know how well you, the reader, know me but I am not the best at follow through. Wow. What a humbling thing to say. I am great with ideas and enthusiasm, but some of my best laid plans were, at best, laid to rest.

We started well. The first week of summer was centered around a butterfly theme. You can remember we visited the butterfly house! There was a craft we did not do and a stack of library books we did read (about butterflies). Then there were the worksheets.

Give that boy an academic challenge and he is IN!

This one sheet took him 20 minutes at least! NOT because it was difficult but because he was meticulous and savored every moment like it was the taste of chocolate chip ice cream on a hot day. I’ve already printed a huge stack of worksheets for next week.

Oh, week two was berries – we did berry little! Ha!

Week three – musical instruments – nada.

Week four – VBS – successful week!!!

Week five – God Bless America – we went to a parade. No worksheets.

This week is a wash because Little is at camp and Bubba is off at summer school and we are drowning in scheduling.

Next week the plan is to do a park a day. . . anybody want to meet us? I’ll bring the worksheets!

While Honey was gone to General Assembly we barely spoke. It wasn’t anything hostile, it was just that he was working so darn hard from breakfast until nearly midnight.

Thursday evening he did call but I was giving the kids a bath and I couldn’t get to the phone. He left a message and when I pushed the button to listen, KB heard his voice and got so very excited. She answered every question he asked, not understanding why he wasn’t responding in kind. Turn your volume up – this is well worth your minute!!

Our church, usually a two service establishment, had only one service today and then a big picnic on the lawn. It was hot but fun – I wish we would do it more often.

We shared the grass with our dear friends, the Barbers. Chloe and KB have a love/hate relationship. KB loves to mother Chloe and Chloe hates when KB takes out her pacifier. Here she is trying to make an escape!

The kids were festive in their red, white, and blue. The heat was just enough to drain them and make for a QUIET afternoon at home!

We had no super celebratory plans for dinner and so we went to Applebees where children ate free. It was, again, an enjoyable time. Medicated children are wonderful and our God is gracious.