What we're doing this summer

Summer has officially started at our house.  I knew I needed a game plan for my four year old daughter so that she is not a.) bored or b.) in front of the TV all day.  Thanks to the blog world I've found some ideas for our home.

Weekly Theme Calendar
On Clean Mama's blog I saw this idea.  I came up with something similar.  I have a theme for each week and planned some things for the month of June.  I'll plan July and August closer to those months.

I will say that introducing something like this with a few crafts and activities the same week I'm teaching and my kids are attending VBS was probably not the best idea!  Not only are we exhausted when we get home but there's just not much time to do much when the little guy wakes from his nap.  However, the VBS theme was "High Seas" so I thought "Ocean" might go well with that. :)

BINGO!

Along with a few other bloggy mommy's we are playing BINGO this summer.  We started it this week and it's been a lot of fun.  My daughter seems to enjoy it so far.  She keeps asking what else she can do.  I plan on changing out some of the squares each week.  I first saw the idea on From the Fence Post which takes you to Stacy Julian's blog where you can find the printables and make your own.  It's so easy!  I changed the rules and prizes to fit for my daughter.  

Bored Box

I also wanted to have something to pull from when she's bored.  I made a "Bored Box" from an old shoe box using scrapbook paper and Mod Podge.  First, we made a list together of fun things she'd like to do over the course of the summer.  Some of the things on our list are:

Go to the library

Go to the Arboretum

Play in sprinkler

Make ice cream

Make a book

Make cookies

Go to Farmer's Market

Go to ball park (this one threw me for a total loop!)

"camp out" reading

Make S'mores

Sidewalk chalk

Make a necklace

Computer time

Paint nails

Plant flowers

Have a sleep over

Invite a friend over

Go swimming at Grandma & Pop Pop's

The box hasn't been needed yet thanks to VBS.  I'm sure it'll come in handy very soon!

Linking to:

Pantry Make-over

Has your pantry ever gotten out of control?  Mine sure did! 

{Before}

I knew it was time for some organization to happen in here!  I went on a hunt for some sturdy plastic canisters and settled on round canisters (I wanted square) at Home Goods. I cleaned everything out of the pantry and threw some things away.  Then I filled up my new clean canisters and neatly put things back in the pantry.

{After}

 After all the shelves were nice and organized I printed off these super cute labels off Carina's Nirvana.  I cut them using my rotary paper trimmer (thanks, Dad!) and attached them using photo corners.  I even used one of the blank labels for "oats".  I loved them way my pantry looks now.  I could really go overboard and buy more canisters but I think my husband wouldn't appreciate the cost! :)

Chore Chart!

I've been looking online for months and months for a chore chart for my 4 year old.  I tried one that you create online and they click the things they do daily but that was too much work{for me :)}and I didn't like the idea of her being on the computer every day.  I'd see some online but think they were too basic, or I'd find one I'd like but it didn't have quite what I needed for our home.  I finally came up with my own idea!

I made this chore chart with:
clip board - wooden $1.99 at Target
scrapbook paper
Mod Podge
Paper Cutter
Scissors
clothes pins
Chores printed on paper
sponge brush

Every morning the clothespins start on the right side.  After she does each chore she moves a clothes pin over to the left side next to the chore completed.  I have a calendar where I put a sticker on every day she completes her chores and then she gets a dollar every week.  She's very excited about this.

Next time I'll print the chores on cardstock rather than printer paper.

Linked up to: The Idea Room link party