Wednesday, June 22, 2011

THE SUMMER LIST with: MOORE Family Library and Summer Surpise Cups


Summer is freedom and fun...that's a given.  I'm one of those "anticipation lovers".  It excites me to feed anticipation to those I love.  Every summer I plan classic summer activities for my boys.   And each year, they are presented with that anticipation in a variety of ways.  LAST YEAR, I shared with you our Bucket of Summer Fun and Gratitude.  This year is different.  Along with a list of summer wishes we'd like to do, I try to teach the boys something meaningful each year.  Last year, we focused on having grateful hearts and on providing acts of service to others instead of just sitting back and getting spoiled 24/7.  Feel free to read about those little life lessons we worked on LAST summer in my Bucket of Summer Gratitude post.  


This summer we are focusing on READING.  I created a MOORE Family Library with Summer Surprise Cups!   


The boys got pretty motivated over the concept
of creating a Moore Family Library
and SO they put together their own library
with no prompting from this Mama:


For our family library, we are using these retro library cards to record and log books and hours.  I found these on the etsy store Knot&Bow.  This store is EXCITING!  I found so many little trendy and classy treasures that give the perfect finishing touch to our simple escapades in life.  I will be sharing more from Knot&Bow in a future post.




My Mom told me that books were better than chocolate, fashion, and diamonds...(what?!)   I don't *completely* agree with her, BUT she does have a point.   I was taught to love books and to value the gift of reading.  Her passion for books and reading encircled my life and I am blessed to carry that passion with me now.  I have always tried to pass the joy of reading onto my boys, teaching them what treasured tools books are!  We have never had tv with cable in our home, but instead have encouraged reading.  I've mentioned several times in previous posts how I place books throughout our home sweet home as decor.  Books need to be in convenient and enticing places.  In our home, they rest on end tables, under desk lamps, sit in stacks beside couches, and are gathered in baskets by beds.  If you've followed my blog for long, I'm sure you've noticed many books in our photos.  


I've explained to the boys that once they feel the thrill of reading, it will take them to places they've never thought to go and will pour knowledge at a rapid pace into their minds.  I explained that their imaginations will thrive when they read, and those dreams will fuel their passion for living a full life.  


Ohhh, the places we'll go when we read a book...

Books have greatly influenced my life.  Glancing at my booklists of non fiction/self help books through the years is like seeing a condensed timeline of my past and what I was experiencing at those times.     


Because of my strong love of books, this year's Summer Activity List has reading incentives incorporated with our lil family Library...





 


The process:  We have retro library cards hanging on a twine garland. 



The boys "check out" a book each evening 
and record their reading time on the cards.



Each time the boys read for 60 minutes, they get to open a Summer Surprise Cup.  These cups are super cool and spell out: Dig The Sun.  ;)


I am major crushing on these ABC cups
The ideas on how to use these are endless, right?

Each cup has summer-y paper in it and discloses the surprise.  


The anticipation lies in wondering 
what surprise is waiting in the summer cups...

Fun variety of whimsical paper ...

in every single cup...

 more...

Some of the surprises are:
Make homemade popsicles
slip n slide day
family game night
bike ride on river trail with picnic
building sand castles at the lake
etc, etc.   



Each surprise is a celebration of Simple Living in the Summertime.  

 


 We are ready for a fabulous summer 
full of REAL summer fun 
and also some 
IMGAINARY fun in our book world too. 
{wink} 



In closing,
bite-size dreamy pillow cloud cookies
for my 3 little tummies.

What's on THE LIST?
I know many people make lists of summer fun activities and I'm always soaking up new ideas...please share what's on your list this year!

   
This post is linked to: Under the Table & Dreamin, It's a Blog Party, Think Pink Sundays LambAround, DIY ShowoffSeasonal SundaysMet Monday, Making the World Cuter, A2Z Tips & Tutorials, Lettered Cottage How To, Tasty Tuesday, Tempt My Tummy, Tip Junkie, Get Your Craft On, Home Decor & Organizing, Outdoor Wednesday, Works for Me Wednesday, Blue Cricket Design, Whatever Goes Wednesday, Transformation Thursday, House of H, Tablescape Thursday, Show off Your Stuff, Strut Your Stuff Show and Share Day, Foodie Friday, Frugal Friday, I'm Lovin It, Tickled Pink, Friday Flair, Design DazzleBe Different Act Normal, Funky Junk Interiors, Weekend Wrap Up

28 comments:

Lauren Batorski said...

That is soooooo crazy awesome!!!! :)

Anonymous said...

What a great post! Amazing idea! I am big on picnics. The second its warm enough until the chill of October sets in. I love a good picnic xoxo

caveman said...

My summer list starts with eating pillow cloud cookies!

It is exciting to see each of our boys developing a love for reading. Thank you for encouraging them to do so :-)

Red Couch Recipes said...

I remember the days when my kids were young and we attended library days and read and read and read. They still read some, but not like when they were young. This is perfect for instilling in your young ones a love for reading (I might tend to agree with your mom that reading is right on the top of the list). So clever with the library cards and the little cups containing fun family activities. Have a wonderful reading summer. Joni

Leanne said...

You are the best mom ever! We haven't put together our Summer Fun List yet. The younger boys are still in school. I hope to do it this week. Thanks for thinking of us. I really appreciate it. You always have such fun ideas.

Blondie's Journal said...

You have great values along with great ideas, Lisa. I wish I had your creativity when my kids were younger! I know you are going to have a wonderful summer! Keep up the great work!

XO,
Janie

silly eagle books said...

Lisa, this is awesome! I write a children's book blog--may I share one photo and a link back to this post? I think this is just so amazing and the retro library cards are my favorite touch. :)

vanessa

Unknown said...

Great ideas here, we are about to have our 2 week winter break in Australia, so I might do a mini version for my younger kids!

Coley said...

This is soo cute!

www.whatyoumakeit-coley.blogspot.com

Anne Tussing said...

I really love your whole attitude about books!! As a book lover and teacher of first and second graders I agree with you on its importance and FUN!!! I LOVE that you have books everywhere just waiting for that special someone to pick them up:)

Jane said...

It's wonderful to see that you are sharing your love of reading with your boys. It's such a wonderful way to escape...to learn.

Mine...2 out of 3 read voraciously. Somehow, I failed with the youngest. He hasn't even read the HP series, but loves the movies.He loves to research things on the internet...and has vast knowledge about anything that interests him. But he never learned the joy that comes from a book...All he wanted to do was play soccer...lacrosse...basketball...baseball...hockey...and so on.

Mindie Hilton said...

Hi, Besides a weekly anything goes link party, I have a new ongoing free give away link party now too. Share your give aways or enter to win.
Hope to see you soon at http://bacontimewiththehungryhypo.blogspot.com/

Come strut your stuff!

cmkoepp said...

Hey Lisa do your boys like water balloon fights? That is always a fav here. Im sure you already have all your cups filled, but just in case you dont. :)

Anna, www.mylifeandkids.com said...

Such a great idea!! Stopping by from Tatertots and Jello.

Anna
www.mylifeandkids.com

Delightful Deets said...

Thank you SO much for sharing this idea! I was taking mental notes and nodding while I was reading :) I featured this on my Friday 5 at www.modernwivelyhood.blogspot.com
Have a fabulous weekend!

Kelly Miller said...

Love these ideas. We do a summer reading program through the county library that Javi loves. Every day after he "checks in" his reading log, we stop by the town fountain for some splash time, have ice cream at the soda shop, or just chill in the library for a while. Those are all memories I carry from childhood that I love passing on to my kiddos.

Unknown said...

This is such a fantastic idea! Love that they get rewarded for good reading with a surprise in the cup! My kids Love reading that this would such a wonderful addition to our summer fun for them! Thanks so much for sharing.. Hope you will share with my Pink Hippo Party @ http://pinkapotamus.blogspot.com/2011/06/pink-hippo-party-35.html

Rachel said...

what a neat way to keep your kiddos reading over the summer!

Unknown said...

Lucky boys!! What fabulous resources and ideas!

Would you be willing to share this at our Weekly Playdate link party at:
http://beneaththerowantree.blogspot.com/2011/06/playdate-link-party-blog-hop-14-all.html

Cheers,
lori
come & play :: Playdate
www.beneaththerowantree.com

Michelle {Daydream Believers} said...

I just love this idea! Such a fun way to enjoy reading and family! Those little library cards are adorable too! :) Thanks for sharing!

Emily said...

I love this idea! I have two little boys, and it is so hard to keep them entertained all summer long. I LOVE reading with my boys...this is the perfect idea! Love the library cards...so cute!!!
-emily
nestnestingnested.blogspot

Sanghamitra Bhattacherjee(Mukherjee) said...

Beautiful post! It looks like fun! My kids love reading with me ! It's amazing:)
Thanks for sharing..love your space:)
Hope to see you on my blog:)

Ginger@gingersnapcrafts.com said...

Love the family library. :) Following you from Tip Junkie‘s link party. Would love to have you link this up to my {wow me} wednesday link party going on right now over on my blog. Hope to see you there. :)

Ginger
gingersnapcrafts.blogspot.com

Kirsten @ Mushki Loves said...

LOVE THIS Idea! It is so fun!

the cul-de-sac said...

Love this idea! What beautiful experiences you are giving your children!

Richard C. Lambert said...

Going on holiday with a baby is something we haven't had to do for quite a few years. Thinking about our upcoming holiday, we were worried. best

Gourav Sharma said...

Informative ideas. thanks for sharing nice ideas with us.
Family Tents Family Tent

Unknown said...

This is Great Post.I like it
Thank you for sharing and keep your work.
Can I share it on my facebook?This is My site about fishinghunting