Barefoot Republic

Summertime is just around the corner but in our little home, my oldest boys are already having a blast at the highly anticipated Barefoot Camp! Four years ago, a dear friend of mine introduced our family to Barefoot Republic praising the wonderful experience her children have there. While technically it is a summer camp, the heart of Barefoot is what drew me to them:

"To facilitate Christ-centered relationships between individuals from diverse racial, cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds through an equally diverse platform of artistic, athletic and team-building programs."

You can read more about Barefoot's mission here, and enjoy some photo's of my older two boys during their weeks at Barefoot Republic.

 

"Barefoot exists to reflect God’s pursuit of His children through interests and passions, interpersonal relationships, and equipping students with tools for exploring and discovering God’s presence in their lives."  

  

One of the things my boys especially love about Barefoot Republic is their "group specialties".

These are areas that your child chooses to explore or further their interest, such as making of the band, Stomp {photo's shown above}, photography, videography, water sports, horse back riding, extreme sports, etc..

My boys enjoy this time so much and honestly, I've seen tremendous growth and renewed commitment in these areas of their life after returning home. 

Barefoot Republic began as one man's vision, to illuminate the Father's deep love for His children.

Honestly, I can personally say, that is exactly the experience my children have there!

We love Barefoot!

summer un-schooling

It's summer; oh how I love the summer! It's the season when it's fashionably acceptable to live in flip flops.
 Every morning greets me with chilled espresso, sun kissed faces and laid back summer days.

Summer days beckon dad to linger a bit longer at the table after breakfast.        

                        

                                 The bugs are no fun and neither is the southern humidity...but
  my children love being outdoors, no matter the season; from playing in the leaves to mud puddle jumping.
 

Throughout the school year, I've found that when we head outdoors with blankets, books and journals,

  life just gets a bit more enjoyable!

The never ending to do list, the frustration with the sticky who knows what on the table, thoughts of minecraft, petty bickerings... just seem to fade away!

  

Being in nature, in the beauty of creation,  children, and adults relax; and enjoy themselves.

Summer is full of days spent outdoors, living and exploring naturally, and lots of reading.

Occasionally, we get an awesome good ol fashioned summer day, which you can read all about here

 I'm perfectly content!

                     

{summer reading} second and third grade books

In continuing with my previous post, summer reading {K}, and summer reading {first grade}, this post covers our current 2nd and 3rd grade summer reading books.

Again, all of these books are a part of our home library and excellent choices, in my opinion! 

                                                                   {second grade books}

Young Orville and Wilbur Wright, The Big Balloon Race, Prairie School, Buffalo Bill and the Pony Express,

Wagon Wheels, Barry the Bravest Saint Bernard, What's the Big Idea Ben Franklin?

                                                                    {third grade books}

A Grain of Rice, The Big Wave, Louis Braille, Dolphin Adventure, The Littles, Third Grade Detectives,

Capyboppy

                                   

{summer reading} first grade books

Following up to my previous post covering our summer reading book list, here's a glimpse at our first grade summer reading book choices. While these are excellent read aloud books, during the first / second grade,

 I attempt to have my child read them. Absolutely no stress if they don't; there's plenty of alternate choices.

Katy and the Big Snow, Caps for Sale, How to Make Apple Pie and see the World, Ferdinand,

The House that Jack Built, Blueberries for Sal, Corduroy

Throughout the first grade year, we cover all three "I Can Read It" books shown below.

The remaining books are our target goal to complete during the year; if we don't get them all covered,

I'll usually incorporate them into summer reading.

{Keep in mind, up to this point, all my readers have been boys. smile!}

Henry and Mudge series, Big Ball of String, Danny and the Dinosaur, The Fire Cat, Itchy Itchy Chicken Pox,

I Have a Cold, Little Bear, Frog and Toad All Year, The Best Trick,

Put Me in the Zoo, Go Dog Go, Green Eggs and Ham, A Fly Went By, Ted and Friends, Goodnight Gorilla

I've listed an alternate book list below that I feel is a bit more challenging. 

I personally have children reading on both ends of the spectrum, so choose where your reader is comfortable

Volcanoes! The Big Balloon Race, The Monitor, Babe Ruth, Young Orville and Wilbur Wright, Mouse Tales,

Harry and the Lady Next Door, To the Top, Barry the Bravest Saint Bernard, Amelia Earhart,

Red White and Blue, The Titanic, Always Inventing, True Stories about Abraham Lincoln

You can read my previous {Kindergarten summer reading post} as well as my follow up {second and third grade summer reading post}. Happy reading!

{our favorite place to be}

Our favorite place to be is together. I cherish our weekends together, nothing planned, just together.

              .

                     Our oldest boys each received a tree to plant from our home school tutorial program;

Sweet Pea helped, Littlest Brother got tired, so did Middle Brother .

 

                                         

  

                          I absolutely love this photo of Sweet Pea! She truly has grown so much this summer .

Her eyes; that smile make me want to slow down time.

{summer reading} Kindergarten books

As a "reading family", I deeply value excellent, inspirational literature.

While we read all throughout the year, lazy summer days are great for settling into a quiet spot with a good book. Here are Sweet Pea's current favorites we're reading this summer:

Animals Animals, The Year at Maple Hill Farm, A House for Hermit Crab, Barn Dance, Roxaboxen,

Night of the Moonjellies, Ox Cart Man, Miss Rumphius, The Important Book, Time of Wonder,

The Storm Book, Hailstones and Hallibut Bones, The Quilt Story, and Charlie Needs A Cloak

All of these books are part of our home library. While some families tend to frequent their local library, I value investing in books for the long term. {maybe it's because I have so many children...who knows?!}

Now I realize this isn't a large list of books. At this age, I prefer to take multiple days discussing the concepts found in these books, rather than feel the false accomplishment of a stack of "twaddle books" checked off a list. 

You can take a peek at my summer reading posts for first grade {here}and second and third grade {here}

And my post on Morning Time, here

a good {'ol fashioned} summer day

Here in Nashville, we reached our hottest day on record for the year. And if you've ever visited
the good 'ol south, you know that we're known for our humidity. the only way to survive the heat = water.
Thanks to our local water utility district + perfect timing = five happy boys on a hot summer day

                                                                  WELCOME SUMMER!!

   

goggles ...  check.

                                                              ... look at that geyser!!

good, good times!!