Summer break is here and we can hardly believe it, mostly because the last couple of months have been anything but normal. We finished our school year by driving from North Carolina to Nebraska and we’re spending a few weeks with family. We were all in need of a break and change of scenery and this was just the ticket. The kids have been loving all the time with grandparents and just being somewhere new.
It’s been fun to kick off our summer with so much family around, but to keep the kids on some sort of a schedule while we’re here and even through summer I’m keeping reading high priority. We actually changed things up this past year with our required reading at home. Instead of giving our kids allowance for doing chores we decided to shift it to reading. Why? Mostly because we feel that household chores should be part of our family unit and instead we’re giving the kids an allowance for reading! This has encouraged them to read and we hope it leads them to a love for reading. I’ve heard of families doing this several different ways either paying by number of pages, chapters or by completed book. I love this so much because it really can be tailored to any reader, family and income. Based on our readers we base the allowance by every 50 pages and round to the nearest 50. Here’s an example....Let’s say every 50 pages earns $1. For a child who’s currently reading 100-150 pages books gets her an average of $2 to $3 per book.
We also have a few stipulations; the kids have to be able to read the majority of the book on their own cover to cover and they have to give us a simple report on the book to help build on comprehensive.
The best thing about this change has been if the kids are trying to save up for something they’re usually spending more time reading than anything else. So far this whole idea has been a win!
Since we’re now on summer break I created simple reading logs for the kids. These are fun to keep track of books read and gives some fun topics that may be outside of their radar, but are still centered around summer themes. For older kids I included a basic log to write each book title and pages read. Once it’s filled, we will print another one and keep on reading. I’m really hoping our local libraries will open soon, but if not we can always dig through our own books or reach out to friends and do a book swap!
To print our fun Summertime Reading Logs scroll to the bottom for the PDF link or just save each picture.
Happy Reading!
Click below to grab our reading logs.
This past year has definitely been memorable--it was one of our best years. Not only did we move back home from Maryland, but we began the journey of expanding our family. We welcomed Kensington Marie in June, traveled to a few different cities and started our own traditions. I know 2013 will be just as good if not better....we can't wait to see what's in store for us in the coming year!
JANUARY/FEBRUARY
Bowling with great friends, I'm pretty sure I ripped off all but two of my nails!
MARCH
My egg painted belly.
APRIL
Baby-moon in Kansas City, MO over Easter weekend.
Checking out the fabulous art at Joslyn Art Museum.
MAY
Celebrating Matt's 20th birthday with the family.
Maternity photo shoot at the house.
JUNE
Celebrating a great friend's wedding.
Seconds after welcoming sweet Kensington into the world.
Family visiting Kensi for the first time.
JULY
Fourth of July.
Just like her daddy.
Kensi's baby shower thrown by my sisters.
Christmas in July.
AUGUST
Kensi's first trip to the Henry Doorly Zoo.
On our way to Kansas City to watch DC United play KC Sporting.
SEPTEMBER
Minnesota road trip.
Cheering on our Huskers.
OCTOBER
Fall photo shoot with pumpkins!
.jpg)
Seriously one of my favorites! Grandpa was dying to this all month.
First Halloween--our little sushi roll!
NOVEMBER
Kensi's baptism with her Godparents.
Oxnard, California
Kensi's first snowfall.
DECEMBER
All bundled up! "Guys I can't get up!!!"
Christmas morning.
I love her little sassiness she has going on.
Typical us....weird and so goofy.
NEW YEAR'S EVE
Peek-a-boo momma and dada!
HAPPY NEW YEAR! GOODBYE 2012....WELCOME 2013....WE CAN'T WAIT TO SEE WHAT'S IN STORE THIS NEW YEAR.
