Notes From Home- Summer Rhythms & Simple Days
Summer learning, a kindness challenge, summer bucket list fun, and a yummy recipe
Hello again! It’s been a few weeks since I’ve written a Notes From Home post, and honestly, I don’t even know where the time goes! I’m in a season where my writing time isn’t nearly as consistent as it has been before — one where I’m constantly juggling a baby’s nap schedule (or lack thereof at this point!) with the needs of my other four kids, trying to entertain them and create an enjoyable summer for everyone.
But writing is something that always feels so good to do. Getting my thoughts down and out of my swirling mind feels like a quiet accountability partner — one that reminds me to write honestly and openly, sharing what might also benefit others in a similar season.
So today, while my three elementary-aged kids read independently and the baby and 3-year-old nap, I’m making space to sit and write. I’m not sure exactly where it will land, but I know the practice itself is soothing and grounding.
In this week’s Notes From Home post, I’m sharing how we’re settling into a summer routine and being intentional about our time at home — with summer learning, a sibling kindness challenge, favorite activities from our Summer Bucket List, and a homemade snack my kids have been obsessed with.
Sage’s first day trip to the NJ beach!
1. Our Summer Schedule
During the school year, having a predictable schedule to meet the needs of my kids’ schooling is one of the most helpful things. We begin and end at set times, have afternoon quiet time, and regular out-of-the-house outings (like co-op and Bible Study).
Summer is naturally much more relaxed since we take a few months off from our curriculum, but sometimes when we completely ditch the schedule, we all feel it.
My kids have too much unstructured time where they’re either unsure what to do or asking when the next fun thing will happen — leaving me feeling less summer bliss and more “can we just get back to our regular school routine?”
What’s been working for us is a mix of structured learning time plus plenty of time to run around outside, play, or check something off our summer bucket list. Here’s a look at a typical summer morning for us:
6:00 am — Morning time for me while the house is still quiet. Coffee, Bible time, maybe even some writing.
7:30–8:30 am — My 5 kids gradually wake up and start the day. It’s a later start than our school year, but not a “sleep the summer away” kind of morning either.
8:30 am — Breakfast (my kids fix their own) and chores.
9:30 am — Outside play with neighbors, a library visit, or something low-key from our summer bucket list.
12:00 pm — Lunch (made by my 10-year-old daughter), then more outside play or a walk around the block.
2:00 pm — Nap and quiet time for everybody (it’s great when the baby’s nap lines up with this!). Two of my kids nap, while the other three have quiet time with independent reading, a math page, and playing in separate spaces.
We all need a break before coming back together for the rest of the day! This is when I try to get in some writing time or work on another project around the house.
3:30 pm — Clean up, snack, and back outside to play with neighbors until dinner.
6:00 pm — Dinner, cleanup, and family time — usually a walk or bike ride, a backyard game, or a hike.
2. A Little Summer Learning
From my experience as a public school teacher, I’ve seen firsthand how hard it is to catch kids up from the “summer slide” when learning is completely put on hold during those months off.
Even though we’re still on our summer break, I don’t want to spend the first few months back playing catch up. So when we ended the school year, I gave my kids two requirements: 60 minutes of reading each day and a math review page.
I purchased these workbooks for my kids, and each day they complete 1–2 pages during quiet time. It’s just review from this past year, but enough to keep their math skills fresh.
And each time they complete 30 minutes of reading or a math page, they get to color in a box on their Summer Learning Chart— which gets them a date with my husband or myself when it’s completed!
3. Our Summer Bucket List
A few weeks ago, we got a giant poster board and made our summer bucket list. My kids and I love making seasonal bucket lists to give us fun ideas for how to make the most of the season!
We likely won’t do everything on our list, but it gives us flexibility and inspiration to have fun this summer.
So far, we’ve enjoyed going on hikes and visiting playgrounds, catching fireflies at night, making homemade ice cream and popsicles, taking a beach day trip, having a paper airplane contest, going strawberry picking, making our own boats to float down the stream, and having a water balloon fight with neighbors.
4. Our Kindness Challenge
Does anyone else struggle with kids showing kindness toward each other? This area has been lacking in our home lately.
In addition to our daily team huddles about being united as a family and choosing kindness instead of selfishness, I decided to motivate them with an actual challenge.
The rules are simple — when I catch them displaying an act of kindness toward someone (a sibling, parent, neighbor, stranger at the library, etc.), they get to put a star on our chart.
When the chart is full, we celebrate by doing something fun together, like a trip to the donut shop or candy store!
It’s a team effort, and we all work together toward one goal. I’ve found that when I take time to praise my kids for positive actions, they’re filled up by those affirmations and actually start looking for more ways to be kind and serve others.
After thanking and praising one of my boys yesterday for helping his sister clean up the playroom, he came up and asked, “What else can I do for you, Mommy?”
If we expect greater positivity from our kids, maybe the change has to start with us. Maybe it takes noticing the good and abundantly reinforcing that instead of only pointing out the undesirable behaviors.
Give it a try! Here’s what our simple chart looks like…
5. Our Favorite Healthy, Homemade Snack
My kids love snacks. They would completely skip meals if it were up to them and just snack all day long.
I have a love-hate relationship with snacks and am always reevaluating them as part of our daily routine — are they worth it, or should I just encourage my kids to eat more at mealtimes? Ahh, the struggle.
But when I take the time to make granola bars, energy bites, muffins, or another healthy snack, my kids are usually much more satisfied than when they’re digging through the snack cabinet for pretzels or popcorn.
So here’s a healthy oatmeal bar recipe that I end up tripling in a large sheet pan because it’s easy to make and keeps my kids satisfied.
As always, thank you so much for being here and following along! I’m so grateful for the many of you who have sent messages, left thoughtful comments, and connected personally about motherhood and life.
With love from my home to yours,
-Mollie
What a wonderful and realistic summer plan, Mollie! And Sage in her swimsuit! 💕☀️🙌