Queen of the Castle: Week 25

For those of you playing along...(if you've just joined us you can get caught up a bit here) we are on week 25 of the book Queen of the Castle: 52 weeks of encouragement for the uninspired, domestically challenged or just plain tired homemaker.

Chapter 25 is titled "Let the Games Begin: Summer Fun". The author, Lynne, reminds us that while fun and exciting (and usually expensive) summer outings and trips are fun and will make for wonderful memories for our children, those day to day fun and exciting small moments are etched just as deeply into their memories.

Lynne suggests reading as an enjoyable summer activity. Our family does something we call "Circle Time" during the school year -- a concept you can read more about here. While our school year Circle Time is a bit more full, my summer goal for Circle Time is to pray, read the Bible together (we're working through the New Testament in a year), sing a few songs and read a book together. We're reading through Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm currently. In the evening my husband will occasionally read aloud through a series of other fun books. For a great list of books to nourish your children check out Honey for a Child's Heart by Gladys Hunt.

Another project idea that Lynne shares is to get caught up on all those photo albums. I'm sure I can hear an "Amen" to that idea! I know I'm not the only one who's up to her elbows in pictures neatly organized but just waiting for someone to put them in albums. Right? *wink*

Here are a few other ideas that Lynne shares for summertime fun:

* Take pictures of everyday life's moments (yes, I said take more pictures...LOL!)

* Make blue Jell-O and float gummy fish in it!

* Check out astronomy books, lie outside under the star and look for constellations and meteor shows July 28 is the next one!

* Check out Family Fun magazine for all sorts of fun crafts and recipes that are kid-friendly!


"Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person." Colossians 4:6