Jennifer Lambert

A Sacred Balance

Visit Us On FacebookVisit Us On PinterestVisit Us On InstagramVisit Us On Linkedin

Bruges with Kids

This blog may contain affiliate links: disclosure.
Please see my suggested resources.

By 15 Comments

We left super early so we would arrive early.

We spent two nights in Bruges.

We spent the whole afternoon and evening at de Haan BEACH!

It was just a short drive to de Haan and it was such a lovely beach.

The water was quite cold, even though it was a very warm day. No one was really in the water.

We walked along the strand, collecting shells, for about 3 mi, then back.

We got gelato. Of course.

There was a fun beach playground.

We had dinner on the boardwalk.

Goregous Trappist beer and moules frites. Fish and steak. Everyone was happy.

The next day, we walked around Bruges.

We ate breakfast at our apartment.

I used the walking tours in Rick Steves Belgium: Bruges, Brussels, Antwerp & Ghent.

We went straight to the Basilica of the Holy Blood. There’s a lovely chapel on the ground level.

We got to view the relic up close. It was just amazingly perfect timing. The annual festival was later that week too.

We paid to see the Michelangelo sculpture at the Church of Our Lady.

The whole city is just lovely with the canals and old houses.

We ate lunch at De Halve Maan. It was delicious.

Then we did the brewery tour. The kids loved it.

We learned about barley and hops and methods.

We got to taste more beer. The blonde beer tasting is included with the tour. We prefer the Dubbel or Tripel Zot and the Straffe Henrik.

We got chocolates at The Chocolate Line and Leonidas.

We saw lots of fun historical sites.

We bought dinner at Carrefour and cooked it in our cute little apartment. Alex was thrilled with the wild asparagus!

Our last day, we toured the Flanders WWI sites.

We ate breakfast in our apartment and packed up.

We saw “The Brooding Soldier” statue at St. Julien Memorial. Our favorite was the Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917. We had a picnic lunch by the pond. We drove to Ypres to see The Menin Gate. We saw the Essex Farm cemetery and memorials.

We got takeout for dinner.

We got home pretty late, but it was worth it. It was a lovely trip.


Share
Pin31
Share
31 Shares
You might also like:

How We Do Science

This blog may contain affiliate links: disclosure.
Please see my suggested resources.

By 7 Comments

We use many different resources to learn about science.

We used Apologia science for years, and we’re beginning to look into some other texts and living books to supplement our science studies.

The Apologia elementary books were a great introduction to science, but we need something more in-depth now. We weren’t overly impressed with the Apologia high school texts.

We prefer less Bible and more science. We’re now leaning toward secular science books to really learn good science. It’s hard to find good high school texts.

High school science requires labs for biology, chemistry, and physics.

Our science studies cover these topics, and more:

  • Natural History
  • Astronomy
  • Anatomy
  • Botany
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Physics

How We Study Science:

  • Experiments
  • Activities
  • Notebooking
  • Gardening
  • Cooking
  • Pets
  • Field Trips

Science should be experienced. Textbooks are just supplementary materials. We love the library for living books.

Elizabeth dug for fossils in Texas. We made the moon phases with Oreo cookies. We’ve studied bacteria. We love to cook. We go on nature walks. We love gardening. We love our pets. Science is all around us and it’s impossible to separate it into a sterile subject to be learned at a certain time and place.

We do lots of experiments and activities.

Some are fun and turn into competitions. Other activities are data-collecting and cross-curricular. Some are just demonstrations and visuals.

We’ve explored the world around us in many ways. The kids love sensory experiences when they’re little. As they get older, we follow experiments in the textbooks. The kids have participated in science fairs. We’ve raised caterpillars into butterflies.

Some experiments don’t turn out right, but that’s ok.

Testing water displacement by counting beans.

science experiment

Liz won the homeschool high school science fair and got published.

We loved raising butterflies.

We charted different varieties of apples.

The girls made water molecules with candy.

We made a DNA strand out of pipe cleaners.

We enjoyed seeing salt, pepper, and sugar crystals under a microscope.

We had a fun eclipse party!

We use notebooking for every subject in our homeschool.

We love nature study and learning about plants and animals.

Dissections and other labs require lots of specific notebooking and record keeping.

We grew a garden.

We loved growing fun fruits and vegetables for several years. It was a family effort!

We love cooking.

We all love trying and creating fun recipes together.

We discuss how heat and pressure affect different foods and of course, use lots of math in measurements.

Baking is great science!

We love our pets.

Animals are very educational. We often visit zoos, aquariums, and farms to observe them.

We’ve had several aquariums over the years.

We have cats.

It’s hard to move every few years and sell the fish, but the cats have always gone with us, everywhere.

We take lots of field trips.

We learned about TV at the PBS station.

We attended an astronomy party on Antelope Island.

We love dino parks.

We enjoy farms and zoos.

Science has become such a part of our everyday life that we don’t need a textbook as much anymore.

See all of our Science posts here.

See our Nature Study posts here.

How do you do science in your homeschool?

Famous Scientists Notebooking Pages
Share
Pin15
Share
15 Shares
You might also like:

5 Best Life Skills Books for Teens

This blog may contain affiliate links: disclosure.
Please see my suggested resources.

By 22 Comments

We try to prepare our kids for the world. We get through all the academics. We take them to sports, dance, music lessons, chess club. We do the field trips. Sometimes, it seems like certain skills slip through the cracks.

Life skills are important. I don’t want my kids let loose in the world without some proper basics.

Sometimes, books are the best teacher. Sure, you can learn really everything on YouTube and other Internet sites, but having some reference material is always a good idea.

These make great graduation gifts too!

My top five life skills books for teens:

  1. A Good Cookbook

    My suggestion: Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book

    Since 1930, home cooks have turned to Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book for guidance in the kitchen. This new edition includes more than 1,200 recipes, 1,000 color photos, and more tips and how-to information than ever. Teens and young adults need to know more than how to make a box of mac and cheese! I still have my grandmother’s copy!

  2. An Etiquette Book

    My suggestion: How Rude!: The Teen Guide to Good Manners, Proper Behavior, and Not Grossing People Out by Alex J. Packer

    In 480 pages, this edition describes the basics of polite behavior in all kinds of situations at home, in school, online, and in the world. I grew up with Emily Post and Miss Manners. This approach might be more interesting!

  3. A Leadership Book

    My suggestion: What I Wish I Knew at 18: Life Lessons for the Road Ahead by Dennis Trittin

    The book is organized into nine powerful chapters and 109 life success pointers that build leadership skills and prepare readers for key upcoming life decisions. Through stories and instruction, it helps young people develop a healthy life perspective, model strong character, build and sustain new relationships, overcome adversity, and become productive and wise decision makers. Also, it shares powerful strategies to succeed in college, career, family, and finances. This is just a great leadership book with words of wisdom.

  4. A Health Book

    My suggestions for GIRLS:

    Cycle Savvy: The Smart Teen’s Guide to the Mysteries of Her Body by Toni Weschler

    Answers that will help you understand what is really happening with your body on a day-to-day basis. It’s the first book specifically designed to teach young women about the practical benefits of charting their cycles. Explore the fascinating world of ovulation, fertility, and why you even have periods at all! And learn all about the body signals, mood changes, and other signs that accompany your cycle. This book was recommended to us by a doula friend of mine and it is wonderful!

    Girling Up: How to Be Strong, Smart and Spectacular by Mayim Bialik

    Growing up as a girl in today’s world is no easy task. Juggling family, friends, romantic relationships, social interests and school…sometimes it feels like you might need to be a superhero to get through it all! But really, all you need is little information.

    Want to know why your stomach does a flip-flop when you run into your crush in the hallway? Or how the food you put in your body now will affect you in the future? What about the best ways to stop freaking out about your next math test?

    Using scientific facts, personal anecdotes, and wisdom gained from the world around us, Mayim Bialik, the star of The Big Bang Theory, shares what she has learned from her life and her many years studying neuroscience to tell you how you grow from a girl to a woman biologically, psychologically and sociologically.

    And as an added bonus, Girling Up is chock-full of charts, graphs and illustrations — all designed in a soft gray to set them apart from the main text and make them easy to find and read.

    Want to be strong? Want to be smart? Want to be spectacular? You can! Start by reading this book.

    My suggestion for BOYS (reader recommendation!): Lintball Leo’s Not-So-Stupid Questions About Your Body by Walt Larimore, MD 

    “Everything a boy should know, but won’t ask!” Finally, everything you wanted to know about your body, but you’ve just been too chicken to ask. This is the first book for boys that gives honest answers to real questions about your body from a biblical perspective. No, you’re not falling apart—you’re just growing up! But there’s no need to fear, when Lintball Leo is near. He’s your personal guide to understanding your body. With information about everything from steroid use to body parts, there’s not a question Lintball Leo hasn’t heard. These aren’t questions some adult made up, but they’re real questions asked by real boys just like you. You want to know the truth? Now you can, because Lintball Leo’s Not–So-Stupid Questions About Your Body gives you the facts—no holds barred! I plan to get this for my son real soon.

    Another reader recommendation for boys:

    Guy Stuff: The Body Book for Boys by Cara Natterson

    This book will provide you with the answers that will help you take care of yourself better, from hair care to healthy eating, bad breath to shaving, acne to voice changes, and everything in between. With tips, how-tos, and facts from a real pediatrician, it’s the perfect book to help you learn about your body’s changes.

    Boying Up: How to Be Brave, Bold and Brilliant by Mayim Bialik

    Why does my voice crack like that? What should I eat to build muscle? How do I talk to someone I have a crush on? What do I do if someone calls me names or bullies me?

    Growing from a boy to a man is no easy task. Bodies are changing, social circles are evolving, hair is appearing in places it never was before — and on top of it all, there’s the ever-present pressure to conform to the typical idea of what it means to be “manly” and masculine. But it’s easier to do if you’re armed with facts.

    Using personal anecdotes as an overly observant mother of two boys and plenty of scientific information from her life as a neuroscientist, Mayim Bialik, PhD, star of The Big Bang Theory, talks directly to teen boys about what it means to grow from a boy to a man biologically, psychologically, and sociologically. Using the same cool, fun, and friendly tone that she took in Girling Up, Mayim takes boys–and their parents!–through the challenges and triumphs of Boying Up today.

    In six sections (How Boys Bodies Work; How Boys Grow; How Boys Learn; How Boys Cope; How Boys Love; and How Boys Make a Difference), she takes a look at what it means for boys to come of age in today’s world, how can they take control of their paths, and what can they do to help shape the types of futures they want for themselves.

  5. An Organization Book

    My suggestion: Smart but Scattered Teens: The “Executive Skills” Program for Helping Teens Reach Their Potential by Richard Guare, Peg Dawson, Colin Guare

    This positive guide provides a science-based program for promoting teens’ independence by building their executive skills–the fundamental brain-based abilities needed to get organized, stay focused, and control impulses and emotions. It’s great to work through together! This book is helpful to set up organization methods for teens to be independent.

Bonus Book:

Girls Garage: How to Use Any Tool, Tackle Any Project, and Build the World You Want to See by Emily Pilloton

Do you have any other favorite books for teens or life skills?

Share
Pin48
Share
48 Shares
You might also like:

Kaiserslautern Wildpark

This blog may contain affiliate links: disclosure.
Please see my suggested resources.

By Leave a Comment

A great hike on a pretty day is the FREE Kaiserslautern Wildpark, across from the Quack restaurant, near the Volkspark.

There’s a little parking lot. It’s good to get there early, before the crowds.

Hiking trails meander all through the forest, under the train tunnel. We easily did a 3-mi hike in under 2 hours, stopping to see the animals and pet the deer.

There’s a little water fountain that is perfect to wash hands afterwards.

The first enclosure has deer and goats.

The goats were curious, but didn’t come close to the fence.

This one deer trotted right over to check us out and get petted.

Our favorites were the baby pigs!

There are also cows.

This fluffy Highland cow kept rubbing his face on the fence to be petted.

And there are several horses.

The two lynxes were sleeping, but we could see them in the bushes.

There’s a great viewing platform to view the bison.

There are benches and picnic tables all along the paths. It’s a great place for a picnic. We saw lots of families and couples enjoying the warm sunny weather. Some even had mountain bikes on the trails.

We enjoyed walking and listening to the birds and seeing the animals. I can’t believe it’s FREE and there’s not even a donation box that I saw.

You might also like:

Share
Pin28
Share
28 Shares
You might also like:

Naturwildpark Freisen

This blog may contain affiliate links: disclosure.
Please see my suggested resources.

By Leave a Comment

Naturwildpark Freisen is a great day trip.

It’s probably our favorite Wildpark.

The bags of food actually last a good while if you’re careful and keep them away from the greedy goats!

This one followed us for a loooong time.

My son was thrilled to see his favorite animal: FOXES.

There are lots of goats and deer and pigs wandering around.

Liz met an emu. She came running from the far side of her enclosure to meet Liz. They were both thrilled with each other.

There’s a bird of prey area with vultures, owls, hawks, and African sea eagle.

There were lots of peacocks around, screaming and displaying their plumage.

We got see the otter get fed.

We were thrilled to see the kangaroo mom and joey!

There’s a monkey habitat.

It’s a nice walk around the park, seeing and feeding the animals.

Hours and Admission

Summer from 01.03. – 14.11.
Parking: 10.00 am until nightfall.
Closing time: 18:00

Summer Entrance fees:
Adults: € 8,00
Children (3-12 years) : € 5,00

Winter from 15.11. – 28.02.
Parking: 10.00 am until nightfall.
Closing time: 16:00

Winter Entrance fees:
Adults: € 5,00
Children (3-12 years) : € 3,00

There is no bird show in the winter months. Park is closed in December and January. Dogs are permitted, except in the falconry, on a leash. A visit in bad weather conditions (snow, ice, & wetness) is not possible due to accident risks. When the ticket office is closed, the park entrance fee is collected by employees in the park.

Share
Pin13
Share
13 Shares
You might also like:

Adding Home Value with a Bathroom Remodel

This blog may contain affiliate links: disclosure.
Please see my suggested resources.

By 4 Comments

Although many people don’t consider the total value of their home every time they take on a renovation project, it can be an important factor when it comes time to sell. For many homeowners, focusing on areas such as kitchens and bathrooms can bring the most additional value if you know what home buyers are looking for.

Once you find a good bathroom remodeling contractor to do the work, here are the top three areas where you should discuss completing renovation projects in your bathrooms.

Focusing on Cabinets and Fixtures

One of the first things that a potential buyer will notice in a bathroom are the fixtures. If they look old, dated or rusted, that may be a turn off for a buyer. Fixtures are relatively inexpensive and easy to install, so this should be the first place to focus your renovation project. The key to getting the most value out of adding new fixtures is to make sure not to buy the high-end fixtures or ones that have a unique style that doesn’t appeal to everyone.

Cabinets are also important. If you have a cabinet based for the sink, these need to be replaced or updated with paint or stain. If the bathroom is big enough to add some storage space, adding a cabinet that can store towels or other bathroom items can help increase the appeal of the bathroom, as long as the new cabinet doesn’t make the room feel crowded.

Adding Tile

One high-value change for any bathroom is replacing cheaper vinyl or plastic with tile. If you have a tile shower, you can see a bigger return on your renovation investment. The size, color and texture of the tile are all choices you have to consider, but keeping things neutral and simple in design can help you appeal to the most likely buyers.

Because tile work needs to be done well to appeal to new buyers, it is important not to consider doing tile work on your own as a DIY project. This is one of the few areas that quality is most important in a bathroom remodel.

Replacing Outdated Designs

Paint and flooring are important to the overall look and feel of a bathroom. This is an area of the home that should reflect quiet and serenity, so making a bathroom dark or gaudy might turn off your potential buyers. For maximum return on your investment, stick to colors and patterns that are light and subtle, like pastel greens or blues that evoke a sense of calm.

Share
Pin
Share
0 Shares
You might also like:

13 Best KMC Restaurants

This blog may contain affiliate links: disclosure.
Please see my suggested resources.

By 1 Comment

Wondering where to dine out in the Kaiserslautern area?

Our 13 favorite restaurants in the KMC:

  1. Zimtblüte

    This is probably our favorite place. We love to stop in for a quick bite when shopping at Globus or planning for a bigger meal at their larger location. The curry rice and stir fries are to die for. Their menu is extensive, with specialties from Vietnam and Thailand, and also sushi. Delicious iced teas. The hot tea is bland. Located right over the A6 bridge from Ramstein, towards Einsiedlerhof.

  2. Alom Dee

    Very fresh and delicious. The best Thai in KMC. The wait can be long, but it’s worth it. Located in Ramstein-Miesenbach, near the Kino.

  3. Café Konditorei Goldinger

    A super fun breakfast, brunch, or light lunch. It’s gorgeous in the conservatory and garden. We like to pretend we’re in Victorian times. Located in Landstuhl.

  4. Spinnrädl

    Everyone must go here once. It’s the oldest restaurant in Kaiserslautern. Local Rhineland-Pfalz specialties. It impresses. Located near the Stiftskirche in downtown Kaiserslautern.

  5. Hofbräuhaus

    I just cannot get enough of their chicken and salmon salads. We love eating here and it’s the best place on base, for sure. Located in the KMCC mall.

  6. Holzofen Pizzeria am Seewoog

    The best pizza in the KMC. Reservations needed. Takeout and eat by the lake is fun too! Located in Ramstein-Miesenbach.

  7. Metaxa

    Delicious Greek food. A few dishes have a German flair, but overall, it’s pretty authentic. Order a few days ahead for moussaka! They even have Retsina wine! Located in Ramstein.

  8. Sam Kullman’s Diner

    A fun American-style diner with their own beer brand. The prices are bit high, but the food and service are great. Located on MainzerSt in Kaiserslautern.

  9. Mr. Lian

    The best sushi in the KMC. Reservations recommended. Located on WeilerbacherSt in Kaiserslautern, behind Zimtblute.

  10. Safari Restaurant

    Gorgeous African and vegetarian food. A fun and unique dining experience. Located on HumboldtSt in Kaiserslautern.

  11. Brit Café

    Great for breakfast and lunch. The English breakfast platters are enough for two! Thursdays are curry and Fridays are fish and chips! Located across from Ramstein Library.

  12. Nick’s Fried Chicken

    The best coleslaw I’ve ever eaten in my entire life. A great fried chicken place for dine in or takeout. Located on Kaiserstraße, near Vogelweh/Pulaski.

  13. Bombay

    It’s like being welcomed into their home. The food is amazing. Best chai I’ve ever had! Located on WeilerbacherSt, behind Zimtblute.

Honorable Mention:

Belgian Bistro – Unique burgers with spicy sauces, but an amazing beer selection. Located in Weilerbach.

You might notice a few restaurants not on my list.

There are no good Mexican restaurants in Europe. There just aren’t. They’re ok, but they’re not right. There’s curry in everything. The tortillas are wrong. If you want Mexican or Tex-Mex or South American food, find a friend and beg her to make you something authentic. I know people sell tamales and pastries in the Facebook groups.

To us, most German food is very similar. I hesitate to say: all the same, but it’s almost true. Enough with the Schnitzel and roast beef! There’s better sauerkraut in Prague. I want something unique, that I can’t or don’t want to make at home.

And some places that others rave about have very poor service or hit or miss with quality.

We can cook amazing food at home. We’re picky and we want to dine out with good quality food and service.

What’s your favorite restaurant?

You might also like:

Share
Pin53
Share
53 Shares
You might also like:

Graduating from Homeschool

This blog may contain affiliate links: disclosure.
Please see my suggested resources.

By 21 Comments

I feel poignant as my eldest child graduates from our homeschool.

I won’t say I’ve done my best. We all have regrets and would love to make changes.

You’re my firstborn and I made many, many mistakes. I am trying to make amends for those mistakes. I think I’m doing better now.

I was amazed by the precocious little girl you were.

I am amazed by the woman you are becoming.

I still remember you as you were the day you were born, with your angry lower lip.

I remember when you bravely went to day care.

I remember when you were bored at preschool.

I remember that first year of homeschooling.

I remember with trepidation as you went for one whole month to third grade at the DoD school on base.

I remember the awkward middle school years.

I remember when I wasn’t there for you.

I remember when I was harsh and hard.

I remember the tears, scrapes, eye rolls, slammed doors, cuddles, and snuggles.

I remember the arguments over my trying to control you.

I remember the struggles over math and bullies.

I remember when you wanted to be an artist, a dentist, a veterinarian, and more.

I can hardly wait to see what you decide.

I’ve seen you shine as a leader at Civil Air Patrol.

I’ve tried to nurture your dreams and offer you experiences to shape your ideas.

I’ve watched you shine on stage and become another person from another time and place.

I’ve watched in awe as you go off to volunteer at the hospital – in the laboratories, maternity ward, pediatrics.

I’ve listened to you sing and play piano.

We’ve looked at amazing art and history in Europe‘s museums.

You’re a great big sister.

We drank Champagne in Paris while viewing the twinkling Eiffel Tower.

You’re so much more than a test score.

The PSAT and SAT are just numbers that mean so very little.

Grades mean nothing.

You’ve learned so much – about the world, history, current events, yourself.

That can’t be measured on a Scan-Tron.

Never stop learning.

We hiked up Diamond Head in Hawaii. I think I’m still sore, years later!

We’ve had a lot of fun in so many beautiful places.

I’d give you the world if I could. And the sun and moon and stars.

We’ve flown over oceans and lived in so many different places.

We’ve endured the stress of moving five times and survived.

I’m proud of you, my daughter, as an strong individual – with original thoughts, dreams, and views.

I’m excited for this new stage in your life and in our relationship.

It’s been awkward for you as a teenager living in Europe.

The rules and laws are different here than in the USA.

On one hand, you have more freedoms, but on the other hand, you have fewer freedoms. At age sixteen, teens in Europe can drink beer and wine, but cannot get a license to drive until age eighteen. As an American, you still cannot get a paying job on or off base until over age eighteen.

So, we have some catching up to do as we move back to the States.

This next year will be busy – finishing up some history and literature studies, applying for college and scholarships, getting a part-time job, learning how to drive and getting a driver’s license.

So many changes and responsibilities, so quickly.

We all have fears for the future.

The unknown…

It’s scary to have so many options and have to make hard decisions.

Homeschooling prepares teens to make decisions and think critically.

I pray that I have prepared you adequately.

Many military families don’t have the luxury of oodles of family members or friends to commemorate the occasion.

Sending out announcements seems like just begging for money and gifts.

Many homeschool students are already earning college credits. Lots have jobs already.

Some graduates don’t want a lot of fuss for various reasons.

Like we’ve done for the past however many years, we can customize a graduation for our needs and desires.

How to celebrate this milestone:

  • graduation ceremony with homeschool group, co-op, church, or family
  • nice dinner out
  • fun trip – for the day, weekend, or whatever is within your means
  • luggage set
  • passport
  • money for a gap year
  • party with friends
  • evening in or out with immediate family
  • photo shoot – with or without a graduation cap and gown
  • flowers, gifts, photo collage or scrapbook
  • framed diploma

High School Homeschool Resources:

Share
Pin31
Share
31 Shares
You might also like:

How To Have an Easy Summer

This blog may contain affiliate links: disclosure.
Please see my suggested resources.

By 29 Comments

Summer is here and I’m not ready.

I don’t have any Summer Bridge workbooks, pool noodles, or a horde of empty plastic containers for crafts.

We homeschool year-round, but we take lots of breaks to take advantage of weather, travel opps…really, just whenever we feel like it.

Since when did summer become this huge reality TV-worthy contest of who has the coolest crafts, funnest activities, most experiences?

I know Pinterest and other social media just feed that beast.

I’m tired of feeling like I have to spend tons of time and money to make my kids happy because the world tells me I should.

I vow to have an easier summer.

You won’t see me competing this year to win the mom of the season (not that I’ve ever entered into the craftalympics, ever).

I guess I grew up in a different time when summer wasn’t about cramming for the next school year. My mom didn’t do a craft fair with the entire neighborhood. No one organized block parties to do themed summer day camps. I never even attended VBS.

I survived summers on cherry Popsicles, fishing for crawdads in the {forbidden} creek, riding my banana-seat cruiser bike all over town, dancing in muddy gutters when it rained, and mooching bologna and cheese white-bread sandwiches (with yellow mustard) off my friends’ moms at lunchtime.

My mom didn’t know where I was most days. I pushed the limits and escaped into trees, the winding creek beds of the Flint River, the dirt bike lot. The boundaries were only the busy Lake Harbin and Lanier Roads. I didn’t have chores or an allowance. I didn’t have a job until I was 16. Summers were about freedom.

I was free range, baby.

Kids these days are being stifled with overplanning and busyness.

How We Will Have an Easy Summer

We will read books we like.

I don’t plan to quiz my children on math facts or Latin rules. I don’t want to plan a homeschool theme for next year. I don’t want to create another planner I shall never, ever use. We will still take trips to the library. We will stock up our Kindle app. We will read for fun.

I will to take my kids to the pool.

No, not that expensive water park with the rainforest theme and $15 non-food nachos at the concession. Just a neighborhood pool. We have several options to choose from in our city. And there are creeks and lakes to explore. Or we will buy a cheap plastic one and splash in the back yard. Water play is a summer must-do!

We will bake and create together.

I actually like spending time with my kids. When our school year reaches that transition point, we celebrate with cookies and paint! Art too often gets pushed aside for math and reading and history. We love to try and create new recipes together. We have no excuses to play and make messes!

Riding bikes is still fun.

I want my kids to know the freedom of riding bikes (or roller blading or scootering) around the neighborhood, playing outside, and not coming home until the streetlights come on. And they can do that in our town!

Exploring nature is learning.

We have great hiking trails and woods and a creek right in our backyard. My kids aren’t as fearless as I was to go out on their own, so I will take them exploring often this summer until they feel more comfortable on their own. We love the creek that runs through our village!

Bored? It’s ok to be bored.

No incriminating boredom jar with chores or planned activities. No threats or punishments for using a “bad” word. We don’t use rewards or punishments in our home. I refuse to be my kids’ activity director. They can use their imaginations, toys, arts and crafts supplies, the great outdoors, and play. Just like I did when I was young. Boredom is the great motivator.

No Guilt

If the kids are on their iPads a lot…listening to Spotify, or playing apps and computer games for hours, it’s ok. If they want to spend hours on Netflix, it’s ok. If my teen wants to chat online for ages with acquaintances all over the world, it’s ok.

If I sometimes do it, why can’t kids?

I refuse to have a checklist of items my kids must do in order to earn screentime.

Summer is about down time. Summer is doing whatever you want.

I have great summer memories and they don’t involve money or making gigantic larger-than-life dice or humongous Scrabble patio games.

My memories are mostly simple ones, like catching fireflies in a jar, camping in the backyard, playing in the sprinkler, watching clouds and birds, riding my bike everywhere. Also, binge watching B movies on Channel 17, AMC, Turner Classics. And MTV, when it actually played music videos.

I want my kids to appreciate the simple.

Share
Pin31
Share
31 Shares
You might also like:

Normandy Memorial Sites

This blog may contain affiliate links: disclosure.
Please see my suggested resources.

By 11 Comments

We visited Normandy in 2016.

I want my children to understand Memorial Day. I don’t want them to grow up thinking it’s just a day off school or work, for barbecues and pools and parties.

I want them to understand the importance of all the men and women who died for our freedoms, that we too often take for granted.

I want them to appreciate all of America’s Allies and how the world can work together for peace. But sometimes, we come together in conflict.

And we must remember.

We visited Utah Beach, the Normandy American Cemetery, Omaha Beach, and Pointe du Hoc.

We first visited Utah Beach Museum and monuments.

Utah Beach Museum

It was one of the few sunny days of our trip. It was chilly but lovely.

Higgins Boat Monument at Utah Beach

The beach is beautiful now, but holds so much sad history.

Utah Beach

utah-beach

It’s hard to imagine all the lives lost on this beach.

We went to the Memorial Day service at the Normandy American Cemetery.

It was very emotional.

Normandy American Cemetery hosted its annual Memorial Day Ceremony on Sunday, May 29, 2016, at 10.30 am.

We got to stand right up at the railing!

front-row

SEE MY VIDEO.

Program:

Master of CeremoniesRené Huard, AOMDA
SuperintendentDaniel L. Neese
Deputy SuperintendentMichael Coonce
The Marseillaise and the Star Spangled Banner 
Welcoming RemarksDaniel Neese
Opening RemarksRené Huard
Opening PrayersFather Xavier Signargout, Diocese of Bayeaux and Lisieux
Capt. Gary P. Weeden, Command Chaplain of U.S. European Command
Rabbi Meyer Malka, Jewish Community of Caen
AddressesSara Harriger, U.S. Consul for Western France
Patrick Thomines, Mayor of Coleville-sur-Mer
Laurent Fiscus, Prefect of Calvados Department
Lt. Gen. William B. Garrett, III, Deputy Commander of U.S. European Command
Closing PrayerFather Xavier Signargout, Diocese of Bayeaux and Lisieux
Laying of Wreaths 
Taps-Raising of the Colors 
Retiring of the Colors 
Participation of Troops5th Signal Command Color Guard, U.S. Army Europe
Unit Garrison of Cherbourg, France
French Military Band of the Artillery of Rennes, France

9,387 Americans are buried at Normandy American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, Normandy, France.

The Memorial faces the United States at its nearest point to the cemetery – between Eastport and Lubec, Maine.

normandy-american-cemetery-memorial

The 22-foot bronze statue entitled The Spirit of American Youth Rising from the Waves.

american-youth-rising-from-the-waves

The reflecting pool and chapel:

reflecting-pool

The beaches from the orientation table:

beaches-from-normandy-american-cemetery-orientation-table

We got to watch an interview with WWII Veteran Curtis Phillips.

wwii-veteran-curtis-phillips

My kids got to shake his hand and thank him for his service.

This is something they will always remember!

shaking-curtis-phillips-hand

We remember the fallen.

remembering-the-fallen

After the memorial service, we toured the Omaha Beach Museum and monuments.

There’s a good video in the museum and lots of static displays.

It really helped the kids (and I) understand the Normandy WWII battles.

amphibious-vehicle
army-truck
omaha-beach-museum

The Omaha Beach has a monument in the sand: Les Braves.

les-braves

An airplane did flybys around Pointe du Hoc and Omaha Beach for Memorial weekend.

I had a canvas made of this image.

flyby

In the afternoon, we hiked around Pointe du Hoc.

I never learned about this in school!

Pointe du Hoc is a promontory with a 100 ft (30 m) cliff overlooking the English Channel on the coast of Normandy in northern France. During World War II it was the highest point between Utah Beach to the west and Omaha Beach to the east. The German army fortified the area with concrete casemates and gun pits. On D-Day (6 June 1944) the United States Army Ranger Assault Group assaulted and captured Pointe du Hoc after scaling the cliffs.

We were amazed by the bunkers and passageways and how the brave men conquered the area.

bunker-at-pointe-du-hoc
hidden-bunker-at-pointe-du-hoc

The Normandy WWII monuments are a pilgrimage all Americans should try to make to understand history.

Memorial Day Notebooking Pages (FREE)
Share
Pin107
Share
107 Shares
You might also like: