A Blossoming Summer Vacation
Anyone wondering what I did for Our Forever Tree this summer? Well, since I love bright colors in the summer and I'm hosting a Luau baby shower in a few weeks (posting on that soon) - I added Foam Flowers to my tree. I got them with my Make Your Own Floral Leis kit from Oriental Trading Co. They fit perfectly!
![Summer Decor Summer Decor](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh63to9mivk71dGwWYq4uzroXALiRbZl8CmgJCjiFf-F0MYrYpOMJ9AFF1-T_9FFHd803wg_kDN4fnXX5ZBvXKRelRaTOyXB8NiIVqNy0twnF9ejXQ2wDS_gwtJuASHrL5f6zR6MtUqDHRB/?imgmax=800)
Ideas for your summer tree might include:
*Cover your tree with foam, cardstock or silk flowers.
**Add a foam flower every day of the summer until it's in full bloom, later trading it for fall apples.
***Writing on the foam flowers, listing a family activity on each flower. Let kids chose at random for some spontaneous fun ideas! Ideas may include: Visit a Museum, Go to the Park, Swim at a Beach, Visit a Shrine, Stop by Grandmas, Bring a snack to your parish office, Camping in the Backyard…
My kids would peek at each one when I wasn't looking to have their favorites picked the next day! :) If you put them in a basket and add the activity flower as you do them, by the end of the summer they will have a tree blooming with all the things they did on their Summer Vacation!
Since mine are all on the tree, I think I'll write on them as we do something. Then next year, I can reuse them. So what have we done this summer, thus far? Not finishing up the school books as I had intended… we've done some unschooling instead.
Saw God's Creation, Ate from His bounty, Visited the Sick, Took care of His creatures, frolicked in His ever-changing weather, Slept in His peace, Learned how to do His will, Took care of God's little children, Connected with His Saints, Sat in Wonder of everyday miracles and simple pleasures, Enjoyed others creativity, Honored Our Parents, Treasured our Temple of the Holy Spirit, and Made others Smile! See below…
![Coon Rapids Dam Coon Rapids Dam](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXG3UBKzhtSn_pP92snMFCIo0Azp_vn7esWe6tt_sM0JxE3b6NolRk22IZ_u0jARshJ3E5kCbxSgZTQtFSDP37gRfNzhmDRU-3DZaIBgoKgl2U7cxBRBJAk-9kkFgUc3UZPE6WvaH8cO7R/?imgmax=800)
![Benihana Benihana](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4tCfxxmD4sdex7-W9bYTUizWStq9xHCoIUXnd7TuOBxM5vwMQ8vdwQNavgWRRcScsvxV_6i79qGtAOo9YJ4G3s_zs-HoaXq9nRLsdz56oIzIf5HSRXLLnZbaXpsicBivSPCMDcbRVAtlj/?imgmax=800)
Field Trip to CR Dam / Osprey Lesson, Field Trip to Benihana's Tepenyaki Food,
![Mothers Day Mothers Day](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtGcKiVuEhet-3ZaF23Y1_qNAnlxzpGYjdGH0qsKcf-mVbes2SihoysNYI07sC81qPaOTQNc6kSm-BS9PC3qAfPfyCYjElZkHwpjxRNd3lCinnoaYL2GWTpms4mrrMYN65WbQVhDSe_MA/?imgmax=800)
![Taking care of Ginger Taking care of Ginger](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_BNMFUR-IQOFn751XNT4a_p2lDruLNQl5POZBa8K5N4galXlUagqQ3YxzDx5hmhJJjfwPQ1B2rNM4KLAXqT3lQwUOG8gMt8ZL0gUXBDQIHkE4oKmky4BKsSwg1GVYUO-tXyH-qCauo57v/?imgmax=800)
Visit Grandma after her Stroke, Take care of a puppy for a week,
![Jonathan in the Rain Puddles Jonathan in the Rain Puddles](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWHFVD_ePa9VwDCORe_6stA6h_bhXmWnFlcS77XHH8v0O5xkwxqVOgZY1uH_28K414ek_MkXJqlV-AgPZtdKg_lswp9eP6JAO0HObq_kEub5_SYv45Zfo-6YfYbUBAfKu9YsPyVq0srExG/?imgmax=800)
![Park Day Park Day](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQikZ2Z0MEIihwLfI5kFhOfacojmqjocoV86oEHajUrmdtQTKtJxOlRS9zSFkIe4F9PLAn6w6_t1pTZFQINfY76hinkic_NnjVl-p4rjOMI5qT3VRY7GHZ6qtnzUfDcYLvOSejmS3w4Yc/?imgmax=800)
![100_6837 100_6837](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz_WHj6ZZLqRInB4aVjPOQnrbYSIHF2Kd7Biv8z4bDraOv2Jm3nnlV2lYkbKOcAAe2V8t-w6MkJjvPn_R6LoICPmYr4QZquW93LRkHX9neAJE-p9yuntrSYG4C1AhkVtxBckXE863Pp5EM/?imgmax=800)
Splash in the Rain, Scooters in the Park, Family Sleepover,
![MNHE Conference 2012 MNHE Conference 2012](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7KNLnVFzF21yC3SVTQVyQbbWRLBHxet9NtcK1NrPThYRaBPKc2rWDdb99RyU5a0x_Uhr6OgmHtTKFXUywssQjxQDXhaaXAtZISmXnKE6SMEgslRp7f9SYEkicG9q5wcz8jY2llRkbCyqL/?imgmax=800)
![Toms Godson Toms Godson](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0guvOszWWzrj4_k-NeubLkYrtoUY7VeadtJsZD_wIZVicCuJ3RLu1cO05N21W0fijPoD1_DSCiQaxeZkP1zw8xKS3TkK8SER96x4w7mztSxvPpJWJXXl1ItudINc_blSdGz25lcq4NNew/?imgmax=800)
Catholic Home Educators Conference, Baptism - First Godchild,
![4H Woodshop Class Prep 4H Woodshop Class Prep](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj4Qg13BcksZvL1xpZ0_Hi2-UZ_W4xCJpcby4JIU9h3aL9GaJLtGuziaMjRtoUqMgd_yoKWFA8zREN8q5g22BcKSAK8dw4KGhuzRZKWN17lTj3kc8oHL6a4shKqhBLp84aWLDFthUrabnk/?imgmax=800)
![4H Woodshop Class 4H Woodshop Class](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVsK34uOngX6vNkYqpXDxrsZ4Wy3kUeH-B7Ceh4VrO7QPJWFgzTtEirRebysobYrc2XTx5HPm3Awc7gkte5E02L9E-6lSrvdk8ZgcgJM32e_wdPRaYO3RbfA8nqo9SyyQl8Wzir7zpApjP/?imgmax=800)
4H Kids Woodshop Class - created/lead by mom and dad,
![Albertville Fireworks Albertville Fireworks](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeYZAdSKNj_jFdbKwWcf9Spqt2Nd1PAoDD1MVZPTshJZWJRwMPCeCIk-4M69VRjNJJBjEJO2vTAarpj1Hhm17hNc1MaJ_MiKK4SCYOGFaOZW0sWybVSw7V4WhUMXhndzoM0IpJ4123EWVe/?imgmax=800)
![Stanley 8th Birthday LEGO Stanley 8th Birthday LEGO](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPOQSFE3DkzkoLqZ9Y9c_hTqg6l0y2LwFvGVM3Ev0gEaKjvXlm1VcEfDmkax9Ms4Bi9MXukXFJHhNrGpwFyFpEsgSENWGRPq09YvbVAf4pDPlCZC3l2nvTBzW5C2wdG5-DtjcFo77nVdeJ/?imgmax=800)
See the fireworks, Visit the Lego Store at MOA,
![Fathers Day at ER Art Soup Festival Fathers Day at ER Art Soup Festival](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2T13cp1SvCs1Bx41ILjjfFaCT1K5hIh2rGn5JH39PaNd82_zi1UJIlkbivwQQzNQCyq0x14W-Nf5Mv7o3Up33nT2mcjoSTuk2me3drzXQGT1ejCai3jAul7MhrX8uj-aAQfA_bBo08Mow/?imgmax=800)
![Fathers Day at ER Art Soup Festival Fathers Day at ER Art Soup Festival](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG9SjeVaww0wAWMmDU7Cn3zP-ApNNy92RUbUZsi9ttZWUfXWkzQMyC6eP4aMUrcjJ2j5EdRq-wbhpUHMeCnsgAQiLZ3oXK2puhdcMXzEVtS1ofKuPi_PCAdML5cYkGpUpHk4fTEEwMY1Ig/?imgmax=800)
Spent Father's Day at the local Art Soup Festival with Tom's Parents,
![Gymnastics - Free Time Gymnastics - Free Time](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjly0Z3L2Z7bPzuQkDs21QEKj-ON1It4oykQlGi1GY_AMaW2T4jGGeVqpZqxfFrSHWqg8wvX3BCBcpAF9-QJqHjS88n2siydXIkFo3TTYq24Dfo-QgCZDOSKPkzwbsIouNjXguwMgHfDpXU/?imgmax=800)
![Gymnastics - Free Time Gymnastics - Free Time](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisel6aQ1czpzu51qUHOIYV7Az-XtkMORkcWpBvKz8wPsvMeM6fsijemuEuovYG4gywXZggtVhyphenhyphenweUWdIhqNtvMtpLpwq4PDfQLNxP3bNe6AVA7yaSCqfMVyCoG65p1uy97TxHeL5ZJD_3Y/?imgmax=800)
Joined Gymnastics - the older 4 kids,
![Gymnastics - Free Time Gymnastics - Free Time](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUVOjlMZnjLDrDC1sIqWsVSH8KaaN9TtBQx26VR19sODQFkG_OfGSBgbZIHo4f9oBi0M5kn5E7jScINClaGkaM_FfIOEd29Y7IT-mjPtYMZ96MBdt6uQ8qki1Ci4xxvPa7t6HmcCkNTNSq/?imgmax=800)
Sat in Papa's Seat to watch the others…
Just to name a few! We also plan to Welcome the newborn, Defend our Faith, Pray for Our Leaders, Visit our Elders and other relatives, Connect with friends old and new, and Share God's love with all we meet.
WHAT ARE YOU DOING THIS SUMMER?
Ideas for your summer tree might include:
*Cover your tree with foam, cardstock or silk flowers.
**Add a foam flower every day of the summer until it's in full bloom, later trading it for fall apples.
***Writing on the foam flowers, listing a family activity on each flower. Let kids chose at random for some spontaneous fun ideas! Ideas may include: Visit a Museum, Go to the Park, Swim at a Beach, Visit a Shrine, Stop by Grandmas, Bring a snack to your parish office, Camping in the Backyard…
My kids would peek at each one when I wasn't looking to have their favorites picked the next day! :) If you put them in a basket and add the activity flower as you do them, by the end of the summer they will have a tree blooming with all the things they did on their Summer Vacation!
Since mine are all on the tree, I think I'll write on them as we do something. Then next year, I can reuse them. So what have we done this summer, thus far? Not finishing up the school books as I had intended… we've done some unschooling instead.
Saw God's Creation, Ate from His bounty, Visited the Sick, Took care of His creatures, frolicked in His ever-changing weather, Slept in His peace, Learned how to do His will, Took care of God's little children, Connected with His Saints, Sat in Wonder of everyday miracles and simple pleasures, Enjoyed others creativity, Honored Our Parents, Treasured our Temple of the Holy Spirit, and Made others Smile! See below…
Field Trip to CR Dam / Osprey Lesson, Field Trip to Benihana's Tepenyaki Food,
Visit Grandma after her Stroke, Take care of a puppy for a week,
Splash in the Rain, Scooters in the Park, Family Sleepover,
Catholic Home Educators Conference, Baptism - First Godchild,
4H Kids Woodshop Class - created/lead by mom and dad,
See the fireworks, Visit the Lego Store at MOA,
Spent Father's Day at the local Art Soup Festival with Tom's Parents,
Joined Gymnastics - the older 4 kids,
Sat in Papa's Seat to watch the others…
Just to name a few! We also plan to Welcome the newborn, Defend our Faith, Pray for Our Leaders, Visit our Elders and other relatives, Connect with friends old and new, and Share God's love with all we meet.
WHAT ARE YOU DOING THIS SUMMER?