For the last 8 summers (not including the one where I had a baby and took a break) the kids and I have "visited" a different country every week of summer vacation. Not literally, but figuratively, in an educational sense of the word.
We use the Internet and especially the public library to talk about the geography, culture, and people of our country of the week. We listen to the music, learn a little of the language, and attempt to replicate a national dish or two.
By the end of the summer, I'm exhausted. It's less expensive than actually planning a trip around the world but probably the same amount of work.
We've baked melomakarona in Greece:
Made koi hangers in Japan:
And attempted a baking soda volcano in Chile:
 |
| This did not go well, by the way. |
This summer we're back at it again.
Do I sometimes question whether it's worth it? YES.
But when we put up the big wall map and all the flags we've made during all the previous summers and the kids start saying things like "remember when...?" I know we all secretly love it.
Even me.
 |
| There are other flags posted on the rest of the walls, but I'm not showing pictures because the kids put them up crooked and it makes my eye twitch. |
Every Saturday this summer, I'll post a recap of our week on the blog. Of course you're free to use our resources to do the same thing at home with your own kids, but more likely what you'll want to do is just laugh along at our Pinterest fails, and that's okay.
We're visiting five countries this summer, each one chosen by one of my older five kids (the youngest still just points at everything on the map and says "This is Russia!") and plugged it into a summer schedule that works for us this year:
 |
| Graphic design by my 13-year-old. Did I mention how much easier it is now that the kids are old enough to help plan all this? |
June 24-29 New Zealand
July 1-5 Poland
August 5-10 Vietnam
August 12-15 Panama
August 27-31 Rwanda
See you next Saturday for our first around-the-world recap of 2019!
3 comments:
I’m reading a book on the Rwanda genocide - written by a priest who survived. He’s started a center for healing, bringing those who participated together with the victims. It’s very good so far.
What's it called, Ann-Marie?
I wish I had your energy, Jenny! This would be so fun with 5 yo Pudding Pop!!
Post a Comment