Right now, it is my favorite month of the entire year.
It has been for as long as I can remember.
With June comes summer.
With summer comes "no school".
And have I ever mentioned how much I LOVE my birthday?
I've always been told that once you reach a certain age, you won't like to remember your birthday anymore.
I guess that age must be more than 39. :-)
I guess that age must be more than 39. :-)
One of my favorite parts of summer is writing out our summer schedule.
Crafts, organizing, lots of reading, cleaning, playing, all the extra things that you don't have much time for during the school year.
Crafts, organizing, lots of reading, cleaning, playing, all the extra things that you don't have much time for during the school year.
Well, if you've already peeked at our schedule above, you'll see that it doesn't look much
like a summer schedule at all.
That's because we "took" our summer last fall (furlough) and didn't start school until December 1.
So we have quite a few lessons to go to finish our books, and we continue to plug away.
We do have some fun plans this summer...
Trip down to see a missionary in Cabo San Lucas,
Church Family Camp,
End of summer camping trip with Daniel's family,
and, of course, a few trips to the beach, lots of running through the sprinklers, popsicles, cold fruit, sleeping outside, and hopefully, little by little, getting my normal organizational/cleaning summer projects done.
But our summer schedule this year is really just our normal school schedule.
And while thinking about another school year might be the last thing on your mind right now, it might be some of you are thinking about it or are going to be thinking about it soon as summer always seems to fly by so quickly!
"How do you do it all??!!!"
If I only had a dollar for every time I've been asked that, I just might be able to hire a few maids to do
everything that I don't get done! :-)
But each year, our schedule has helped us to meet our goals and accomplish the responsibilities and desires the Lord lays on our heart.
I know many people shudder when they hear the word schedule. They think of being tied down, no flexibility, or failure.
But for our family, it has given us order, peace, better meals, MUCH more getting accomplished in far less time, and bottom line, EVERYONE likes it!
We've had times when you could say we were just "winging it" day by day.
And when we finally get back to our schedule, it's like a collective sigh...Aahhhhhhh! :) Much better!
While if you've never used a schedule before, it might look daunting... all those little squares and different activities...you might be surprised how quickly it just become second nature to everyone. Even my little ones know what to do when for the most part. It takes us a week or two to work out the bugs and for everyone to learn what to do and when, but after that, all the work to make it more than pays for itself!
And if you think there is no room for flexibility, well, I assure you, when you're in the ministry and live with 12 children and a man who is very much my opposite...spontaneous..."Hey, let's take the kids camping today!" ;) ....no day is the same!
Being mommy and having made our schedule and knowing our needs, it's easy for me to make changes throughout the day as needed.
And for those who think failure..."I could never do that"....let me be the first to tell you, I don't think I've ever had a day where we have finished all our schedule just as it is written. Ever.
Because our schedule is simply a tool to help us accomplish what we need to each day, I don't see it as failure. And this I know....we get waayyy more done and are waaayyy more productive even on our "worst" day on the schedule than we are when we aren't on one at all.
Plus, the little ones aren't in near as much trouble!! :) They love having their special times each day with their brothers/sisters/mommy.
Each of the older children chose what to do with their half hour with their preschool age siblings.
The older boys chose to do exercise/sports with them in the back yard.
Rebekah is teaching them school- letters, numbers, sounds, writing, etc...
Benjamin does a mini Sunday school class with them during his time...story, verse, craft.
Abigail's half hour is spent teaching them songs, poems/verses, and games.
Isaiah chose to do art with them.
Josiah an activity...playdough, bubbles, clay, paints, blocks etc...
And Noah chose "recess" :)....backyard play time!
Where did we learn to schedule?
Managers of Their Homes by Steve and Teri Maxwell came to me at just the right time.
I had 7 children ages 6 and under. Two first graders, 2 preschoolers, 2 toddlers, and a baby.
The Lord knows just what we need just when we need it.
My schedule back then, 8 years ago, looked a lot different than it does now, but it continues to be such a great blessing in helping me do what the Lord has called me to do...
Care for my hubby, my children, and my home!
And make sure everyone has clean, matching socks. :)
So this is a glimpse into our days here at our home. :-)
If you have any questions or would like me to post more details, just ask.
Or if you just want to think about popsicles and ice cream right now, I don't blame you. :-)
I just love to help and encourage anyone I can.
The Lord is so good to give us the strength, wisdom and grace we need each day!
That's because we "took" our summer last fall (furlough) and didn't start school until December 1.
So we have quite a few lessons to go to finish our books, and we continue to plug away.
We do have some fun plans this summer...
Trip down to see a missionary in Cabo San Lucas,
Church Family Camp,
End of summer camping trip with Daniel's family,
and, of course, a few trips to the beach, lots of running through the sprinklers, popsicles, cold fruit, sleeping outside, and hopefully, little by little, getting my normal organizational/cleaning summer projects done.
But our summer schedule this year is really just our normal school schedule.
And while thinking about another school year might be the last thing on your mind right now, it might be some of you are thinking about it or are going to be thinking about it soon as summer always seems to fly by so quickly!
"How do you do it all??!!!"
If I only had a dollar for every time I've been asked that, I just might be able to hire a few maids to do
everything that I don't get done! :-)
But each year, our schedule has helped us to meet our goals and accomplish the responsibilities and desires the Lord lays on our heart.
I know many people shudder when they hear the word schedule. They think of being tied down, no flexibility, or failure.
But for our family, it has given us order, peace, better meals, MUCH more getting accomplished in far less time, and bottom line, EVERYONE likes it!
We've had times when you could say we were just "winging it" day by day.
And when we finally get back to our schedule, it's like a collective sigh...Aahhhhhhh! :) Much better!
While if you've never used a schedule before, it might look daunting... all those little squares and different activities...you might be surprised how quickly it just become second nature to everyone. Even my little ones know what to do when for the most part. It takes us a week or two to work out the bugs and for everyone to learn what to do and when, but after that, all the work to make it more than pays for itself!
And if you think there is no room for flexibility, well, I assure you, when you're in the ministry and live with 12 children and a man who is very much my opposite...spontaneous..."Hey, let's take the kids camping today!" ;) ....no day is the same!
Being mommy and having made our schedule and knowing our needs, it's easy for me to make changes throughout the day as needed.
And for those who think failure..."I could never do that"....let me be the first to tell you, I don't think I've ever had a day where we have finished all our schedule just as it is written. Ever.
Because our schedule is simply a tool to help us accomplish what we need to each day, I don't see it as failure. And this I know....we get waayyy more done and are waaayyy more productive even on our "worst" day on the schedule than we are when we aren't on one at all.
Plus, the little ones aren't in near as much trouble!! :) They love having their special times each day with their brothers/sisters/mommy.
Each of the older children chose what to do with their half hour with their preschool age siblings.
The older boys chose to do exercise/sports with them in the back yard.
Rebekah is teaching them school- letters, numbers, sounds, writing, etc...
Benjamin does a mini Sunday school class with them during his time...story, verse, craft.
Abigail's half hour is spent teaching them songs, poems/verses, and games.
Isaiah chose to do art with them.
Josiah an activity...playdough, bubbles, clay, paints, blocks etc...
And Noah chose "recess" :)....backyard play time!
Where did we learn to schedule?
Managers of Their Homes by Steve and Teri Maxwell came to me at just the right time.
I had 7 children ages 6 and under. Two first graders, 2 preschoolers, 2 toddlers, and a baby.
The Lord knows just what we need just when we need it.
My schedule back then, 8 years ago, looked a lot different than it does now, but it continues to be such a great blessing in helping me do what the Lord has called me to do...
Care for my hubby, my children, and my home!
And make sure everyone has clean, matching socks. :)
So this is a glimpse into our days here at our home. :-)
If you have any questions or would like me to post more details, just ask.
Or if you just want to think about popsicles and ice cream right now, I don't blame you. :-)
I just love to help and encourage anyone I can.
The Lord is so good to give us the strength, wisdom and grace we need each day!
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| You can find some great preschool/K4 materials and ideas here. |
I am SO SO SO SO SO SO (x a billion :)) thankful that you chose to do this post first :). I have been gathering bunches of peoples schedules, chores, etc... and getting ready to spend lots of time reading and planning :). Our schedule at the beginning of last school year was great and we all loved it and it went very well till .... an adorable little girl entered the scene :) well then Mom just was terrible about schedules and when Mom does that all follow :(.
ReplyDeleteNoah is too cute ... recess :). Did I miss it or did none pick snack time :)?
I love the pictures! We are very thankful your school schedule did not start till Dec. 1 ... we loved meeting you and if you had been plugging away at school we would not have and that would have been terrible. Now this comment has gotten waaaaaaaaaaaay to long.
No, it was just perfect!!! Anytime you comment it's perfect :)
DeleteI'm super glad we met you, too, even if it has driven me half bonkers all year knowing how "behind" we've been....you were ALL (yes, Nick, even you :-) ) more than worth it and more!
I love seeing other people's schedules too and getting ideas...it's so helpful, huh?! :) Oh, they ALL ask for snacks for their class...I've limited it to 2 carrot sticks or half an apple per class. :)
Well, according to my schedule, we are suppose to be eating, but while I was boiling water for the spaghetti, we ran out of propane, so I gave the little's baths, told the older ones that still need to shower to hop to it and we'll pick up hot dogs or something :-) Daniel's at teaching at the Bible institute tonight, so he'll not be home till late, so hopefully by then I'll think of something more creative than a hot dog to make for him. :)
Thanks for posting again, I really enjoy reading your posts and telling the kids about your lives. Did you use the online scheduling program (ScheduleBreeze) to make the colored spreadsheet? Where did you get the "Add It" addition mat?
ReplyDeleteWe did use schedulebreeze to make our spreadsheet this year. :)
DeleteAnd the Add It along with many of our other preschool/K4 materials I got from confessionsofahomeschooler.com. I think for under $20 I got both the preschool and K4 downloads...tons of colorful printables! I just laminated some of them so we can use them over and over and they last :)
I loved seeing your schedule! Thank you! Now you have me hungry for hot dogs:) I hope the spontaneous picnic was a success:)
ReplyDeleteWhen do you get cleaning done like bathrooms etc
ReplyDeleteWith 9 boys, is the bathroom ever clean??? :-)
DeleteCleaning...well, first I'll say that my house isn't as clean as I would like it to be, but I have learned to be content with what we can do at this stage and while we want to be clean, organized and not be lazy, we do not want to be cleaning so much that we miss "life".
That being said, during the day we have chore time after each meal which covers the basics of cleaning the kitchen/dining room, and then the children have two other chore times...in the morning before breakfast and in the afternoon.
Morning chore time covers making of beds, cleaning of rooms, and then a cleaning of the bathroom, emptying trash cans, sweeping, ect...
In the afternoon, each child has 1 room to do a basic cleaning...pick up, sweeping, and the people in charge of the bathrooms do another basic cleaning...mirror, counter, sink, toilet, sweep and mop.
I have an hour a day where I clean and often try to spend a few of those minutes doing a deep cleaning project or organize something.
Saturday afternoons is when we tackle the bigger stuff. So during the week, my goal is to have the rooms picked up, bathroom's basically cleaned, and yards clean for Daddy. :)
Thanks that was helpful!
DeleteGreat hearing from you and seeing your schedule. You are an inspiration to us all!
ReplyDeleteJulie
Thank you so much for posting this. I have a few questions. What do you do for bible during breakfast? What do you use for the Bible time during school? What do you use for typing? Do you use a meal plan for lunches? Thank you!
ReplyDeleteHi, Erin...Breakfast is the one meal where Daddy is almost always with us, so he starts the morning usually with talking with the children, sharing a verse, and praying with us. I also read a book outloud during that time while he eats. For school, the children do the Bible time on their Abeka videos. The learn the major stories in the Bible, learn songs/hymns, memorize passages of scripture and learn basic doctrines.
DeleteFor typing, we use a couple of things. We have a Mavis Beacon program that we've had for years on a couple of the computers. We also use goodtyping.com. It's an online typing program we've used for a while this year. No fluff, but Timothy says it helped him learn better than Mavis Beacon. We also have the old fashioned typing book that stands up an easel and a couple of good old fashioned type writers. :)
I do have a meal plan for lunches...I make a weekly menu. I have about 5 weekly menus and I usually just rotate them and make changes as needed. I'll do a post about menus/meal planning soon. :) Lunches are usually quick and simple so we don't have to spend much time preparing them and it's quicker clean up giving the children a bit of a break/play time before they get back to work :)
I always love seeing your schedule. It really encourages me!
ReplyDeleteThank you keeping up on your blog. I look forward to each time you post, often checking several times a week. Schedules are a great tool for anything such as housework, schools, and menus. Thank you for sharing your family and preachings with us!
ReplyDeleteLinda T.
I totally enjoyed reading that. And I admire you. There have been seasons in my life when my schedule was a sanity saver and then I slip back into the basic schedule mode again. Right now, the basics are all I can handle, but it is summer afterall and we have a ton of things going on. I'm sure I'll be back to be inspired by this again - after baby comes. :)
ReplyDeleteThinking of you and missing you, my friend!
I miss you!! You always inspire me because you a sooooooooooo creative and always do something about it. I learn so much from you!
DeleteAnd when I was pregnant, it was always basic schedule mode! I'd do it again in a heartbeat too! :)
Aw, this made me get a knot in my throat for you. I barely have the time to stop over here anymore, but I am so glad I did today. This has been like sitting down with my sister and getting very practical advice. I thank you very much. I really hope you WILL share your menus too.
DeleteOooohhh,I can't wait till I have time to pour over your posted schedule and get some great ideas for ours! We have been using a schedule for about 10 years (from the Maxwells as well) and I could not function without it. You never have to think "on your feet", all the thinking is done. This winter as I dealt with serious long-term illness, our posted schedule kept the kids and hubbie moving without me even out of bed. What a blessing!!! You are so encouraging! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteStephanie
I love scheduling too, and we never stay on schedule either. I look at it as more of a flow of our day; a rhythm of sorts. and thank you for sharing the nitty gritty details, I love seeing how others sort their day. *smile* I, too, enlist the older kids to share some quality time with the littles. Ofcourse, this is only half the opportunities your kids can offer because we have half the kids you have, lol.
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you & yours, although I rarely comment here, your family is in our families prayers...
Sheri
Agreeing with all the others, that this post is so helpful and very encouraging! Thank you so much!
ReplyDeleteI was wondering if you could share sometime about how you do your meal planning and what sorts of things your family enjoys eating, maybe even a few recipes?!?!? I just love hearing about your family and all the work the Lord is doing through you! Thank you for being faithful to His call for your family!
I'll post on meals/menus/recipes soon :)
DeleteGreat post! And I would love to know what typing program you use and if you like it? Thanks! :-)
ReplyDeleteHi, Jolene! We use both Mavis Beacon and goodtyping.com. My kiddos like them both...the littler ones like Mavis Beacon better because she gives them games every now and then, and my older ones say goodtyping has helped them more....no fluff or anything, but they have progressed well on it. It's free too.
DeleteI also have 2 typewriters and an old fashioned learn to type book that stands on an easel. :)
Thanks, Jaynee! I'll have to try them out!
DeleteI love your schedule posts! I am a "scheduler" too, so it is always fun (yes, I'm odd!) to see how others do things. :) Although with only 2 little ones, mine look just a little bit different than yours! :) We are schooling through the summer here too, because we took our "summer" in February and March when our little guy arrived! (Which we all agreed was totally worth it! Those newborn days pass SO quickly!)
ReplyDeleteI agree....newborn days pass way to fast! All the days pass too fast! :)
DeleteI'm odd too...I love seeing other's schedules and have gotten so many ideas from others. :)
I have a question. I have two boys age 2 yr & 3 yr old. How do you try and handle the toys? I learned the hard way they get very bored if they sit down with one type of toy at a time to play. With that option they were finding other fun things to do like peeling wall paper off the wall! I gave them their laundry basket of toys back and they were so happy. The toys are contained to their room , but their room looks like a tornado hit it.
ReplyDeleteAlso thank you for the post. I have not ever done a schedule. Thinking about it makes me cringe. Though, my boys are getting older and more active and God is showing me again and again I need to make a schedule to keep my boys active with good things!
Hi, Renee! :) Honestly, we don't have many indoor toys anymore. And since we live where it is sunny and warm about 364 days a year, the children play outside 90% of the time.
DeleteWhen they were little and we lived in the USA, I had all their toys in the room. I'd have a clean up time before lunch or nap and then another before bath/bed time. Their room would look like a disaster most ever day, but it didn't bother me as it was in the back of the house.
A few years ago, I took all toys out of the bedroom and moved them to the family room. It was a space issue as we needed all the room we could for beds and clothes. The room stays way cleaner that way, but of course, the mess is in the front of the house :) I just do the same thing....a couple of clean up times a day.
We do have to clean the back yard every evening...I even have it scheduled in as Back Yard Time. Daddy does not like the yard to be a mess, so we all have a cleaning party and if we get it done quickly, we spend the rest of the half hour playing or I'll sit down and watch the kids "show off" on their bikes, swings, trampoline :)
Thanks Jaynee! I never thought of making clean up time part of play time and it is nice to know other people have one room that is a disaster with toys and it is just not my kids.
DeleteHi Jaynee
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to say thank you for such and encouraging and helpful blog.
I was just wondering if when you had younger babies if you scheduled them ie. feeds naps times? Also how do you cope/ deal with whining and complaining?
Thank you very much
Love Kirsty from England
Hi, Kirsty....I'm sorry to take so long to reply! I did schedule my babies! We were flexible, but normally, they'd easily fall into the schedule...same eat times, sleep/nap times, play/awake times etc... We always made sure to take to account sickness or growth spurts and other needs and adjusted as needed.
DeleteWhining/complaining...we teach our children (and I tell myself this as much as I tell them!) that the Lord wants us to do all things w/o murmuring and complaining and that the heart attitude makes all the difference!
Overall, the children do their school/chores with a good attitude, but sometimes they do struggle. We teach, discipline, and pray for/with the child that is struggling.
Thank you for this post, Jaynee! You inspired me to make a schedule for our children. We are starting the new school year at the beginning of July, so we can take time off when our sixth baby comes (probably mid-August). This came just in time! I used to love schedules when I was single, but when I became a mom of multiple little children (currently seven years old and under), the schedules seemed to fly to bits, and I eventually gave up. It was comforting to read that you have never had a "perfect" schedule day. I want to try again, and have lower expectations this time!
ReplyDeleteI was wondering how you survive on so little sleep! I can't possibly make it with just 7 hours, especially when I am pregnant (and even when I am not pregnant, I still need at least 8!). I think it is great to give the Lord the first part of your day (that is what my mom did, too, who had nine children). I cannot seem to find time to spend with the Lord in the morning, because I normally sleep at least till the kids are up (they often start getting up as early as 6:00-6:30 am), and then it is very crazy and busy! It doesn't help that I am NOT a morning person. I don't seem to be a night person as much anymore, either, because I am usually dead tired by the end of the day, and can hardly think straight! Night time is also one of the few opportunities that my husband and I can talk (and sometimes we are too tired to do much talking, so we just go to sleep instead!). I normally try to squeeze time for personal devotions in random times through the day, but I don't feel like it is working that well! I would love to hear any suggestions you might have (though I know you are VERY busy, and might not have time to respond!)! I really admire you--your blog is one of my favorites!
Hi, Katie!
DeleteBless your heart! Brings back memories...not to long ago...when mine were all little and I was either pregnant or nursing...and often tired!! :)
Seven hours is good for me right now...with not being pregnant or nursing and my "baby" being 3 years old, I usually get to sleep through the night and 7 straight hours of sleep works great for me.
And please know, just like things come up and parts of our schedule get changed throughout the day, I don't always get up at 5:30 am. For example, last week, Samuel was sick and up off and on every hour or so ALL night for about 4 nights straight. I've never been very good at taking a nap during the day...it makes me feel all groggy afterwards and takes me forever to fall asleep...so after a couple days of Samuel needing me during the night, I just slept in later, planned a couple days of easy breakfasts (cereal :) ) so I didn't have to cook anything, and then had a shorter quiet time with the Lord in the morning.
The important thing is that I am spending time with the Lord in His Word and prayer each day.
Here's a suggestion...maybe in the morning, spend a few minutes praying giving your day to the Lord and maybe reading a verse or two to meditate on as you start your day. Then, schedule a time later in the day when you can spend more time in the Word and prayer. Maybe after lunch when the little ones nap and you have the older ones have a quiet time/reading time for half an hour. Some time when it can be just you and the Lord.
I know how busy these years are/will be for you. I would just encourage you to find a way to spend time with the Lord. I would encourage you to make it the same time every day...like appointment with the Lord. Just as you don't think of missing a meal, don't think of missing that all important, vital time to feed yourself spiritually. Early morning, mid morning, afternoon...whatever you decide, make it your most important priority. They that wait upon the Lord will renew their strength. Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
Thank you so much for your encouragement, Jaynee! You are right--our time with the Lord should be the most important time of the day! Thank you for your suggestion on when to schedule it. I think that is a wonderful idea--I never thought of having the older kids have a quiet time, too! That will be helpful as I make our new schedule! Thank you for taking time out of your busy life to give me some words of advice and encouragement!
DeleteHello Mrs Jaynee Lockwood!! This is Janie David from Clearfield! :) I really enjoyed your post and want to let you know what an encouragement you've been to our family. It's been some while back I was reading one of your blog posts on a book you'd been reading~ Sweet Journey. I ended up ordering the book~plus many of their other books and I have to tell you~it's changed my life. Sweet Journey brought to my attention how important it is to be in the Word & I am now looking forward to opening my Bible and reading it. I started in Matthew & am working my way through the New Testament. I've made it to the book of Romans and am enjoying every bit of it. Another book I'm now reading is Keeping Our Children's Hearts by Steven & Teri Maxwell.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed all your pictures and seeing your schedules. They give me great ideas. Take care & please tell your family hi from the David's!! Come join us for cookies anytime!! :)
Love,
Janie
Janie!!!!!!!! I miss you! Next time I'm in your neck of the cornfields, I'm coming for cookies...chocolate chip! Right after Grace and I entertain the dear folk at the retirement home with our choreographed ballet :)
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you read Sweet Journey! The Maxwells are so encouraging and have been such a blessing to my life. I'm so excited to hear you're reading through the NT. I've been reading through the Bible this year...I'm in Psalms in the OT and just finishing Acts in the NT, so right about where you are! :)
Love and miss you, my friend with my favorite name :)
Thanks for posting your schedule! So great to see it! Question: who do your children write letters to? We're missionaries in Uganda...so I'm wondering about writing supporters? family members? etc?
ReplyDeleteTHANKS!!
All for Him,
Kelly
www.suubifamily.blogspot.com
Hi, Kelly...We write supporters, family, and friends/pen-pals. :) Great way to practice handwriting, spelling, grammar, composition, as well as express our gratefulness, encourage someone, and it's so enjoyable! :)
DeleteHi Jaynee! I'm Christal from Canada... Been reading and inspired by your large and lovely family for a few years now. I'm wondering what or how you change your schedule for summer! Is there a link somewhere if it's posted? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHi Christal, Sorry I didn't get to this comment until now. We didn't really change our schedule this year for the summer since we had to finish our school year over the summer. Normally, during the summer, our schedule includes things such as extra organzing/cleaning time, work time for the boys, arts/crafts/sewing time, and time for fun activities we normally don't have time for during the school year.
Delete