Summer Bucket List #8 and #9: Vacation Bible School & Swim Lessons

#8: Vacation Bible School

One of the highlights of L and E's summer is attending the VBS at one of our local churches. The church always does such a great job and, because it's in the daytime, it's like a mini summer camp (that's free!). They learn new songs, play games, eat snacks, watch a video, and have a Bible lessons every day of that week.

#9: O is still a little young for VBS, so while they were at the church, I put O in swim lessons and then swam with him. It was so perfect. I dropped off the big kids at VBS, took O to swim lessons, and then played in the pool with him until it was time to pick up the big kids.

He actually had such a great time in his lessons that I signed him up for lessons the following week too! After two weeks, he's still not swimming independently yet, but he's certainly more confident in the water.

Summer Bucket List #7: Splash Pad

#7: Splash Pad.  Last year was our first year at our local splash pad, but the kids had such a great time that we made the trip out to our neighboring county to play again!

Summer Bucket List #6: Cheekwood

#6: Cheekwood

Another item that we failed to cross off last year was a visit to Cheekwood. So as soon as we had a day available, we met some friends, explored the new tree houses, and had a picnic lunch. It was really hot, and we weren't able to stay a full day, but we did decide to get a membership so we can come back several more times this summer.

Learning about the train exhibit:

Free Play with Friends:

Tree Houses:

Summer Bucket List 2016: #4 and #5 Edwin Warner Park

#4: Dirt Park

One of the things that I really wanted for my kids this summer was for them to have lots of time to play, explore, learn, and just be together, as siblings. So as they came up with the items on our list, I tried to encourage them to include places where they could have some unstructured free time too. One of those items, was a visit to Edwin Warner Nature Park. I will admit, I did get in the dirt with them some (mostly to help move rocks), but I also tried to give them time to explore and work together as siblings too.

#5: Nature Walk

As it warmed up at the dirt park, and the kids started getting too hot in the sun, I suggested that we take a little nature walk. I'm not sure it was an official item on our bucket list, but we took a little morning hike and added it to our list when we got back in the car.

Summer Bucket List #3: Holiday World

#3: Holiday World.

We broke our every other year tradition (2011, 2013, 2015), and decided to go back to Holiday World again this year. The kids are the perfect ages and we just all have such a great time. So this year, as we've done in the past, we spent Memorial Day at Holiday World. I've given several reviews of the park in the past, so I'll just post a few of the photos from our trip this year.

 

Summer Bucket List 2016: #2 Adventure Science Center

#2: Adventure Science Center.

Last summer we never made it to the Adventure Science Center, so we wasted no time checking it off of our list this year. On the kids first full day out of school, we spent about 5 hours exploring the Adventure Science Center with some friends.

Summer Bucket List 2016: #1 Summer Reading Program

It's summer time; my absolute favorite season! The kids had a half day of school on Wednesday and then we headed straight to Subway for a lunch "meeting" to discuss our summer plans. We had about thirty items on our list by the time lunch was over, and I think we've added a few more as the days have passed. I know I say it every year, but this really is going to be our best summer yet!

Finished: 1st, 3rd, and Fun School

Subway Summer Bucket List Meeting:

#1: Summer Reading Program. The first thing on our list this year was to join the Summer Reading Program at our local library. So as soon as our meeting was over we went to gather books at the library. Our goal is to read (or listen) 10 hours before the end of June.