Summer Activities

  • Chalk Drawings

    Chalk Saturn

    Our kids love playing outside!  🙂 Now that the weather is starting to get warmer they are beginning to enjoy some fun Spring time activities like riding their bikes, scooters, roller skating, chalk drawings and more.  You can tell at least one of the kids still loves anything related to space from looking at her chalk pictures.  Thankful for warm weather and time to have fun with the kids!

    Colorful chalk sun

    Everyone loves rainbows

    And hearts…

    Our family

  • Starting to Plan the Kids Summer Break

    Even though we have only just hit the Spring Season and entered into the month of April we are already making plans for this summer.  I was looking back through our schedule last year.  It was packed full of fun, adventures, and a lot of great memories.

    As I get ready to plan for this summer I am remembering all the good stuff we were able to do last year.  Although, I cannot know for sure what this summer may bring I am moving forward with the planning.  The picture above shows the girls brief version of our calendar for July 2012.  The calendar was simple but it helped them keep track of the big events and activities that were coming up.  We kept it on the fridge so they could see it whenever they wanted, typically they would cross out the days as they ended.

    What we would like to do:

    • Travel – last summer we visited Charleston, Florida, Kansas, and Colorado.  We are not entirely sure what it will look like this summer but we are hoping to go to at least Charleston and Kansas again.  Thankful that the girls travel well! 🙂
    • VBS – the girls love VBS and have a great time.  It also provides great opportunities for learning too.  We would like to attend at least one VBS program this summer.
    • Camp – last summer the girls attended Swim Camp as well as Horse Camp.  We would like for them to go to at least one camp this summer.  They are currently signed up for WeDo Robotics Lego Camp at Roper Mountain Science Center and Swim Camp.
    • Participate in the Library Summer Reading Program – the past 3 years the girls have participated in the Summer Reading program and have enjoyed it (as a bonus they usually earn rewards & free tickets to special events which help motivate them even more).  We plan to participate in the program again this summer!
    • Learn & Explore – we went to several educational places over the summer like Roper Mountain Science Center, Battery Park, took a Historical Carriage ride in Charleston and more.  We plan to do more educational adventures this summer, some may be the same or similar, but we are hoping to branch out and try some new activities too!
    • Relax – all the activities above are important but it is also valuable to have some time built in to rest, free time, play, and relax whether that means swinging, playing in the yard, drawing with chalk, hanging out with family, friends (and pets), riding bikes, roller skating, riding scooters, etc…

    It doesn’t seem like a lot of activities but if you figure in the traveling and the fact that we only had two months of summer vacation we really did pack a lot into it.  We hope to make the most of our summer break this year by planning some of our adventures in advance.  It will be nice to catch up with some family, spend time learning, and make some great memories.  What are your summer plans?

  • Travel & Vacation: All Aboard the Independence of the Seas

    On the bus heading to the cruise ship

    We took the first bus of the morning to the ship.  After all our luggage was piled into a trailer at the hotel we were off to the ship on our next adventure.   Our ship was the last one in the port so we had a little time to relax on the bus before grabbing our bags and heading onto the ship.

    Hurry up and wait….Nathan patiently waiting in line!  We had to go through a couple of lines before we could actually get on the boat.  Thankfully the lines were moving right along and the kids did really well waiting.

    We made it onto the boat!  At least the older kids are really excited!

    The kids first meal at Windjammer!  They thought it was pretty neat being able to choose from all the great food on the buffets.  So excited to go cruising with our family!

    The kids wanted to check out the H2O Zone

    The four older kids relaxing for a minute in the swing

    After a few wrong turns we found our hall!  WooHoo!

    Karlie taking a picture of her Flat Stanley on the desk

    The kids checking out the ice skating rink.  Brina was too busy taking pictures to look at the camera.

    Brina and Karlie found a great spot to sit down in the ice rink area and watch water traffic next to the boat.

  • Travel & Vacation: Aqua Park in Labadee, Haiti

    Here come Daddy and Brina down the slide!

    On our next stop we visited Labadee, Haiti.  The place were we stopped was beautiful and relaxing.  Our first stop of the day was the Aqua Park.  You had to walk down a dock and they had a bunch of huge inflatables in the water from slides to trampolines and more.  The inflatables were spread out so you had to swim from one item to the next and if I remember correctly the water was 30 feet deep in that area.   The kids and adults had a fun time climbing, bouncing, sliding, splashing, and playing at the Aqua Park.

    Karlie getting ready to come down the huge water slide into the ocean!  It’s a lot harder then you think to climb up wet bouncy castles and slides!

    Aqua Park fun!  This one was a hard one to get onto especially for the kids, but Jeremy, Amber, Josh, and Lee had a blast on it!  They managed to get it moving and spinning pretty fast.

    The big kids had fun playing at the Aqua Park too! 🙂

    Brina swimming past me on her way to the next Aqua Park item.

    Daddy coaching Karlie has she starts to climb one of the icebergs

    Swimming around at the Aqua Park

  • Travel & Vacation: Snorkeling, Starfish, and Fun at Grand Cayman Island

    Snorkeling off the coast of Grand Cayman!  The water was a little rough but there were hundreds of little fish!

    First we explored Grand Cayman, followed by a relaxing boat ride out to the reef, next we swam with the stingrays (WooHoo, that was super fun!), and now we get to snorkel, hold huge starfish and more!  The kids had a blast at Grand Cayman!  So many neat memories and experiences.  We were running a little tight on time and the waves were a little rougher than normal so we didn’t snorkel for very long.  A couple people ended up getting sea sick with the boat rocking around so much but everyone recovered and were feeling better before too long.

    Lots of little fish everywhere.  The kids quickly discovered that when you threw food into the water a whole school of fish would come to get a nibble, it was pretty neat to watch all the little fish scramble as fast as they can for the food!

    Snorkeling with the fish

    Brina holding a huge live starfish one of the guides dove down and picked up for the kids to hold.

    Karlie holding a large starfish in the palm of her hand.  These babies were big!

    Nathan’s got a big starfish!

    Nicko was super excited to hold the starfish!

    Brandon finally warmed up to the idea of holding the starfish by himself and he even liked it!

     

    Hanging out with Uncle Jo on the boat ride back to the ship

    All SMILES after a super fun adventure in Grand Cayman!!!

    The “Travel and Vacation” series is an insight into our trips together as a family and ways we relax.  Life is short and we were thrilled to have the opportunity to build memories with family and explore of of the most amazing places during our time away.  Explore with a good attitude, look for fun, and it will be an awesome trip jammed packed with positive memories.  It is refreshing having some time away from the regular routine.  Make it a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet new people and learn.  You just might see or try something new that takes your breath away!

  • Sidewalk Chalk Drawings

    The best part of warm weather is outdoor activities, like drawing rainbows with chalk!

    Brina’s chalk person

    Colorful sun

    Brina’s rainbow name

    Karlie’s rocket ship taking off

  • Travel & Vacation: Kennedy Space Center (part 2)

    We got to hear, Bob Springer, an astronaut that has been in space more than once speak and take a picture with him afterward! The girls were very excited to meet someone who has actually gone into space!

    I shared a little bit about our trip to Kennedy Space Center earlier today.  Here is a little bit more about what we did during our adventure.  Thankful for the opportunity to spend some time in Florida, tour Kennedy Space Center, and spend some time catching up with our friends too.

    Live feed of them docking!  So neat to watch it before it is posted to the public.

    After talking with an astronaut for a few minutes the girls wanted a picture in front of the live feed so they took a seat on the edge of the stage.

    Two little chickies are ready in their 3D glasses for the NASA show!

    Pausing for a moment to relax while waiting for our food.  Karlie is processing it all and so THRILLED to be finally exploring Kennedy Space Center!

    Having a BLAST at Kennedy Space Center!

    Brina having fun and enjoying her Icee treat!

  • Travel & Vacation: Kennedy Space Center

    Karlie has had a fascination with anything space related for several years now.  She loves to talk about rockets, planets, astronauts, and more!  Back when the girls were in preschool (more than 3 years ago) she received a Chic-Fil-A Kids Meal from school and inside it was a coupon for Kennedy Space Center.  She asked if she could hang the coupon up on the refrigerator so maybe sometime when we go to Kennedy Space Center we can use it. The coupon was on the refrigerator for a long time (even after it expired).  We did get a great deal online for a food package while at Kennedy Space Center (buy one get one free coupon) which covered all our food and snacks for the day.

    A few months ago we made it to Kennedy Space Center.  I still remember the day we told her we got tickets and were going to Florida.  I think she jumped up and down, clapping, and giggling for several minutes.  She was over joyed and immediately counting down the days until we would leave for Florida.

    Our whole family had a blast exploring Kennedy Space Center.  It was really neat to see all the history and learn so much about space, rockets, and everything else we could soak in that day.  We arrived at Kennedy Space Center a few minutes before it opened and left as they were closing the gates.  It was a neat experience!

    We are getting closer!

    Starting to see some cool  stuff – United States Astronaut Hall of Fame

    Karlie is on-the- edge-of-her-seat excited her dream to visit Kennedy Space Center is coming true!

    We made it!

    Daddy and girls strolling on into Kennedy Space Center, so cute seeing the girls excited and holding hands.



    They look so tiny next to the base of this rocket!

    Daddy and the girls trying it out!

    Karlie is soooo excited and has looked forward to going to Kennedy Space Center for YEARS!

    Sweet Brina had a grand time.  Even though rockets are more of Karlie’s love she had a lot of fun exploring the area with us.

  • Travel & Vacation: Charleston History & Sites to See (part 2)

    Checking out a more modern one….some serious discussions are taking place.

    This post is in addition from our post earlier today on Travel & Vacation: Charleston History & Sites to See.    At least one night every time we go with Jake to Charleston we spend some time in walking through Battery Park looking at all the monuments, reading them and talking about history.  You would think by now the girls have this park memorized and would be tired of it, but they request to go here every time we are in the Charleston area.  The pictures of Battery Park are a little darker because we went at night.  Plus you’ll see some other great items to look out for on your road trip to Charleston (at least if you are heading to Charleston from the same direction we go).

    The girls always request a trip to battery park when we are in Charleston

    A large monument in Battery Park, the girls want us to read the monument then they have fun seeing how many different states they can find etched on the stones.

    Exploring the cannons at Battery Park

    This tree’s looking a little spooky at night in battery park.  Still haven’t figured out the meaning behind the white feathers from an earlier trip Travel & Vacation: Fun in Charleston.  If you know the reason I would love to find out!

    Mommy and girls in the giant gazebo at Battery Park

    Karlie especially gets excited when we pass the “rocket” because she loves rockets.  Brina gets excited because she knows that we are almost to Daniel’s Island! 🙂

    Another favorite sight on our trip to and from Charleston!  The girls always love seeing the USA Flag and on the other side of the road is a huge smiley face!

    While Battery Park is one of the kids favorite places to visit it is only one of the many great historical sites to see while in Charleston.  You can take a tour of Fort Sumter or Fort Moultrie or take a ride on a horse drawn carriage through Charleston as they share history and facts with you or many more wonderful activities.  Battery Park is an easy one because it is free (as long as you can find parking).  What are some other great historical or fun places to visit in the Charleston area?

    The “Travel and Vacation” series is an insight into our trips together as a family and ways we relax.  Life is short and we were thrilled to have the opportunity to build memories with family and explore of of the most amazing places during our time away.  Explore with a good attitude, look for fun, and it will be an awesome trip jammed packed with positive memories.  It is refreshing having some time away from the regular routine.  Make it a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet new people and learn.  You just might see or try something new that takes your breath away!

  • Travel & Vacation: Charleston History & Sites to See

    Karlie and Brina standing at the pier with Patriots Point and USS Yorktown in the background.

    Brina and Karlie love going to Charleston with us.  One of their favorite things to do in Charleston is to explore and learn tidbits of history.  Charleston has a lot of history so it has provided many opportunities for us to learn and appreciate our country’s history.  We always visit Waterfront Park in Mount Pleasant whenever we go to Charleston.  Near the pier is an area with a fountain, monuments, and plaques honoring our military.  You can also see the USS Yorktown from that area too (see picture above).  There are other areas in Mount Pleasant, Daniel’s Island and Charleston with a lot of history as well.  Here is a few we enjoy visiting when we are in the area.

    A sign near the monument

    Monument….”on behalf of a grateful nation”

    Department of Army (1775) monument

    Throwing their coins into the fountain.

    United States Coast Guard (1790)

    South Carolina state flag flying in the wind next to the monuments

    United States Air Force

    Fountain near waterfront park

    Department of the Navy – United State of America

    This one is on Daniel’s Island and says “By 1680, Charleston had moved to its present location and was growing rapidly.  It attracted French Huguenots and others drawn by the promise of religious tolerance and available land.”

    Department of Navy – United States Marine Corps

    In Peace and War – United States Merchant Marine (1775)

     The neat part about reading these monuments with the girls is that it gives us an opportunity to discuss our country, its history, and show appreciation for the men and women who have served and those who are currently serving.  We have many amazing blessings living in the United States.  No country is perfect, but we have a lot of great things to celebrate in our history.

    The “Travel and Vacation” series is an insight into our trips together as a family and ways we relax.  Life is short and we were thrilled to have the opportunity to build memories with family and explore of of the most amazing places during our time away.  Explore with a good attitude, look for fun, and it will be an awesome trip jammed packed with positive memories.  It is refreshing having some time away from the regular routine.  Make it a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet new people and learn.  You just might see or try something new that takes your breath away!