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!


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?

Living in Legoland

Once the Legos come out, they're out. It's hard to get them back in the bin and on the shelf. Luckily they have not entered into my walkway and into my foot. I was pondered the idea that each new parent should have to cross the Walk of Toys just like tribes walk across hot coals.

Happy Birthday to our son, Stanley, who is 8 this month. He wanted to have a Lego birthday. On the day we took everyone to the Lego store in the Mall of America. Turns out it was a special weekend for LEGOs! Full displays, Lego Master Builders on site teaching and activities, and special deals in the store!

BE A MASTER BUILDER

LEGO STORE DISPLAYS

LEGO CLUB DISPLAYS (click image to enlarge)

CREATION NATION

We are now looking to buy 3-5 lbs of random legos…

Followed by a BIRTHDAY PARTY with his friends.

They built whatever they wanted, and played a game of Creationary (Lego Pictionary). Decoration ideas I found online made it simple, but I tweaked a few things.

Click the mini coloring book to print your own, put together by me.

 

Below are some random ideas I pulled off Google Images…

Back-at-home-mom.com had some printables for water bottle labels, cupcake or table confetti, and more. BigDandMe.com has an awesome Lego Bingo printable. LivingLocurto.com made these cute cake pops. KidsActivitiesBlog.com thought up Lego Candy using candy dots on paper and cutting different sizes. Many moms, including me added circles on squares in all areas to look like Lego bricks. Just adding cupcakes to the top of a square sheet cake and frosting it over in bright colors gives it the look of a Lego brick.

 

His gift was the Avengers mega lego kit. Pretty cool, very fragile.

Found these containers at JoAnns that work perfect for organizing the little stuff, sorting colors, storing projects…

 

 

Turns out Florida and California have LEGOLAND themed parks! Definitely a must when we visit there again.