Summer Reads

Portrait of Marguerite
by Kate Lloyd

Riven
by Jerry Jenkins

Twenty Wishes
by Debbie Macomber

10 Boredom Busters for Kids

1. Tell them a story from your childhood or that of a grandparent. Look at family pictures.

2. Take a walk. Talk about the sights and sounds. Name the kinds of birds, plants or trees you encounter.

3. Cuddle and read a book.

4. Bake cookies. If you have time, make them from scratch.

5. Fly a kite. Have you ever done it? It's never too late.

6. Visit the zoo. Talk about the animals and where they live in the wild. Find out each others favorite animal and share why you like that one. Make animal sounds and laugh.

7. Blow bubbles.

8. Sing songs.

9. Watch a movie; choose an old
one they haven't seen before.

10. Plant an herb garden.

Outdoor Fun

Invite family and friends to a potluck. Hold a juggling contest to celebrate World Juggling Day. Collect plastic rings or soft balls for contestants to use. You can find these items at your local dollar store.

Give your guests a refreshing treat by serving:

Grandma's Fresh Lemonade

1 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice (about 3 large lemons)

Remove seeds from juice and pour into pitcher. Dissolve ½ cup sugar in ½ cup near-boiling water. Stir until all the sugar is dissolved. Add 3½ cups of cold water. Add to lemon juice and stir. Garnish with seeded lemon slices and sprigs of lemon balm. Chill and serve over ice. Makes 5 - 8oz. glasses.

Castles in the Sand

Visit the beach and build sandcastles. If you don't have a beach nearby, make sandcastle pictures.

Supplies: colored poster board, glue sticks or Elmer's, inexpensive ½" paint brushes, and sand.

Directions: Cut poster board to desired size, at least 8½" x 11". Draw a castle on the paper, and outline with a black crayon. Color the door, windows, and flags. Apply glue inside your outline except for the parts you colored. Sprinkle sand over the glue and press down. Let dry. Brush off excess sand and hang your masterpiece for all to enjoy.

"There shall be eternal summer in the grateful heart." - Celia Laighton Thaxter (1835 - 1894)