In an effort to beat summer boredom, I put together a now-bulging folder filled with craft ideas, activities and even a little bit of work to keep Nick entertained for the next few months.  I promised him it would be a mix of both fun and educational things, this way we’re working all sides of his little noggin. And for me, I kept an eye on doing things that are inexpensive but that hold his interest. When it comes to entertaining kids, you don’t need to break the bank to do it. This notebook is case in point.

Some fifteen years ago, I befriended a woman who happened to mention at the time that she had kept journals from when she was 12 to present day (and the time, we were in our mid-20s), and still had them. I was in awe, and I have to admit, just a little jealous. She had a giant lidded basket in her living room filled with all the different journals, some with very neat, adult handwriting and serious topics, and many with words that dotted i’s with hearts and that were filled with fanciful lettering. Oh how I wished I had thought of that and could go back. My childhood memories are spotty at best (though do come back in full force every now and then to surprise me), and I would have loved to have a record of everything. So this summer, I thought it would be a perfect time to get Nick started.

After a trip to Michael’s, I had a few colorful notebooks for the whopping price of a dollar each. I rummaged in our craft and scrapbook boxes and came up with the stickers for the front and ribbons to tie around the spine. We started this journal on the first day of his summer vacation, and he writes in it every morning, recounting the day before. While it will serve as a wonderful memento for him to look back on and reminiscence, there are also sneaky lessons in there too. He is flexing his spelling muscles and penmanship skills without it having to feel like work.

He has totally gotten into it and goes off to write every morning, completely on his own. What a great thing for him to look back on years from now, and the present day rewards are already showing themselves.  During the school year, I was always after him to slow down with his writing because he’s always in a hurry to finish his homework and his handwriting was sloppy at best.  But now?  Now his handwriting is neat as a pin, and fitting on much smaller lines than the homework papers allowed.  Love it!  Love it, love it, love it.