88 Days of Summer - The Launch

I promised I would explain the contents of the gifts waiting for Cat when she finished her last day of school. It does require explaining. But I decided because it's so long, and I get just a little bit philosophical, I did most of my explaining on my other blog. If you're interested in reading more, check it out here. Otherwise, here is a quick summary of what she received that day.


#1 - a blank notebook to be used as a summer journal - after all, we are planning on having an exciting summer. I want her to remember it!

#2 - a portfolio of the schoolwork (and some things from home) she's done from 2-yr old preschool until now. We've had these papers in a box for forever and I decided it was time to put them somewhere she she could look through it and they would remain in tact.

The bottom middle image is of one of my favorite of Cat's writings from Kindergarten. It's just on the back of a worksheet and she wrote, in Kindergartenese, "Pigs play in mud. Mud is pigs' favorite thing. Pigs are pink. Are pigs clean? Pigs are made out of meat."

#3 - a "Summer Fun Chart" to encourage her to stay active, develop a few skills and positive habits, continue learning, and avoid boredom. (See my much longer explanation on the other blog if you're scratching your head at any of this.)

#4 - a collection of ideas of activities to be used for the above mentioned chore chart.

#5 - candy to be used as a reward for the above mentioned chore chart.


I realized that since Cat was finished with school before Memorial Day and they start school a bit later in UT than they do in GA, she would have a longer-than-normal summer. I counted it up and her vacation will last exactly 88 days (starting with her last day of school, since that really is the beginning, right?). So I like to think of all of these things being part of
a little project I've dubbed "88 Days of Summer." I think I'll use that theme for the blog for the rest of the summer. If I can keep it up. And if I do any more blogging at all with the impending move and everything that comes with it. We'll see!

Anyway, Cat was thrilled about all of the surprises and the opportunity to do lots of different activities and earn rewards and write in her own journal and everything. She even took time to write an email to her Mema so that she could earn a sticker for a Writing Activity before she left with Grammy to spend the weekend at her house. Love it! That was about 3 weeks ago as I write this, and interest is waning a bit, but I still think it's a very valuable tool and I'm glad we're using it this summer. It's been good for me to have a ready supply of activities to occupy Cat when all she wants to do is watch a movie during J's and E's nap time.