50 Frugal Summer Fun Ideas

We have been spending a good portion of the past few months winding down school, ending out the sports season, and having a lot of people over the last few weeks. Our family is definitely ready for some fun and relaxation after all of that!

Now we all have summer fun on our minds so I thought I would share a quick post about some frugal summer fun ideas to do with your family and make some cherished memories along the way.

Do You Know If You Are Going to Heaven?

 

Sweet friend, do you know if you are saved and going to heaven or not?

This is the most important question of your whole life.

If you don't know READ THIS NOW!!!

10 Ways to Teach Your Children Godly Character This Summer

Today I wanted  to share a few ways to teach your children godly character through the summer.
 
This might be your first year that you purposefully decide to try to instill more character in them--or you just might feel your children need to focus more on it! (Don't we all feel that way sometimes?) Our children are definitely not perfect and we always should be trying to reach their hearts with the truth of God's word.

5 Ways to Plan for the Summer {& Really Get Things Done!}

These past few days I have been doing what I do best---list making!

I am dreaming about summer and looking forward to the school year ending to soak up some sun, relax and just be!

Through it all I know I want to tackle some things around here so I have been doing some serious planning.

I am the type of person who always has something going so it is better if I make a list, it helps keep things orderly and out of my brain. I do most of my planning on my iPhone app which makes it easy to make changes and add things since I usually have it on me or nearby.

Here are 5 areas that I am planning for right now:

FUN THINGS I WANT TO DO

This includes trying new recipes, purposeful relaxing, outings, beach visits, books I want to read, fun projects I want to tackle (like making photo books for the kiddos,--when you have nine children this is not an easy feat! I have been thinking about trying Shutterfly), places I want to visit, plans for holidays, birthdays, etc. As well as blogging goals that I want to accomplish.  I also make sure to plan in lots of down days to enjoy with the kiddos too!


BOOKS I WANT TO READ

This summer I am looking forward to getting some new reading in. I am super picky about what I read since I don't like wasting time on books that I don't feel that I glean much from. I am not one that feels obligated to read a book cover to cover once I start it either. I usually keep a running list in my Amazon's Wish List so when I check out I can easily add them to my cart.  I am also probably going to make a summer reading list for the children too. Here is a good one for boys and for girls if you want or need some wholesome recommendations.


THE GARDEN

I might just need to do a whole separate post on this later but I love planning for the garden. I am so grateful to always have children who enjoy helping out. It has brought so many memories and they always look forward to it.  This year I planned which day we will start and made a list of all the veggies we will buy. Sometimes I would have the children help me with this and even sketch out where we would plant everything.  I can't wait!

(My lettuce from last year)

HOME PROJECTS

It seems that every summer we usually need to:

• clean out the garage
• basement
• organize the children toys and rooms
• switch to summer wardrobes 
• tackle painting projects (this summer I am going to assign my oldest son to do this inside of my pantry)

I also add anything extra that needs attention too, summer is a great time to tackle these types of projects. This year we have a new 15-foot pool to install, it should be fun!


HOMESCHOOLING

I usually try to tackle preparing for a new homeschooling at the more towards the end of summer usually in August. I take the time to:

• look through curriculum
• purchase books
• organize and prep our homeschooling areas
• buy school supplies
• plan out goals to accomplish the following year

I like list making because it helps me to achieve what might not get done in the lazy days of summer --to actually stick to my goals and get things done!

I hope this post was helpful in helping you to think about and plan out your summer!

What would you add to this summer list?

Please share them in the comments!

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Note: This post contains affiliate links--thanks for your support!

Father's Day Gift Ideas That He Will Love

Are you looking for a special gift for dad?

You might have several dads in your life---your husband, son(s), father, grandfathers, uncles, in-laws, and friends and sometimes finding them gifts that would be encouraging and clean can be a challenge.

I know that my husband loves spending time together as a family (he is a big family man) but not so keen when it comes to shopping--especially for himself. He only does it when he absolutely has to or when the need arises (which is probably how many husbands are), but I know that can pose a challenge to women who are looking for something to get them. 
Sometimes we need a little inspiration!

5 Ways to Celebrate Father's Day (& Quotes to Inspire Him)

Father's Day will be here in a blink of an eye and around the Fuentes household, we are busily preparing to have everyone over. I am really excited about what I got my husband--it is something he has been wanting since his childhood. He has no idea he is getting it and I can't wait to surprise him!

I thought I would share some inspirational quotes that you could share with your husband or father to encourage them on their special day. Dad's do so many great things that go missed day to day so it is nice when we get a chance to honor them and thank them for all they do. 

Here they are:

None of the things I remember about my father had anything at all to do with his lifestyle of whom he knew or the places he had been or the style of the clothes he wore. I just knew that he was always there. -Cal Thomas

A father carries pictures where his money used to be. -Author Unknown

There is no more vital calling or vocation for men than fathering. -John Throop

Blessed indeed is the man who hears many gentle voices call him Father! -Lydia M. Child

Children's children are the crown of old men and the glory of children are their fathers. -Proverbs 17:6

My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person--he believed in me. -Jim Valvano

One night a father overheard his son pray, "Dear God, make me the kind of man my daddy is."---Later that night, the father prayed, "Dear God, make me the kind of man my son wants me to be. -Anonymous

F...You are my friend.
A...You are my ally.
T...You are my teacher.
H...You are my hero.
E...You are my example.
R...You are my rock.

-K. Williams

HERE ARE A FEW FUN WAYS TO CELEBRATE FATHER'S DAY


1. TAKE HIM TO A DINNER AND A MOVIE

Or any other thing he loves to do going out, or if he likes staying home make him his favorite meal and cuddle up under a blanket and watch some Netflix.

2. TAKE HIM TO THE GREAT OUTDOORS

If you man is an outdoorsman go hiking, camping, boating, sports game, or whatever his favorite thing might be!

3. HONOR HIM WITH A PARTY/GET-TOGETHER

Make it as simple as a cookout or fancier. If you invite several people you can even honor more dads at once. One year we did this and had a cake that said "HONORING FATHERHOOD" on it and took a group picture with all the dads. The kids read short poems about fatherhood and make a collage of pictures with dad and even grandpa. Grandpa gave a teary eyed, heart-felt speech afterwards and there wasn't a dry eye in the house when he was done.

4. GIVE HIM TIME TO HIMSELF TO REST

Sometimes Dads work themselves to the bone and don't really get time to rest. Give him some time to read, kick up his feet, watch his favorite movie/show, or take a long needed nap. When he wakes up pour him a nice big glass of iced tea and give him a back rub!

5. HAVE HIS FAMILY OVER

 If he is a family man be sure to invite his family over so they can share in the fun. Have some games and dessert and enjoy the day.


Feel free to also print the quotes out and stick them into your Father's Day card!

If you haven't gotten him a gift yet check out Amazon , they have a Father's Day Gift Store that is helpful!

*Get FREE two-day shipping with Amazon Prime--sign up for a free trial. 

Have a Happy Father's Day and don't forget to honor the special men in your life!




Note: This post contains affiliate links--thanks for your support!


Art credit.

How to Talk to Your Children About Mass Shootings

Our hearts were broken to hear what happened Robb Elementary School in  Uvalde, Texas this past week.  We know that so many lives will never be the same again because of these senseless tragedies. Shootings everywhere seem to be at an all time high. 

Since this type of violence is becoming more common we need to take some action steps on how we address these situations with the loved ones around us, especially if we have children.

Memorial Day - Freedom Isn't Free {& Helpful Resources}

The Memorial Day weekend is upon us and I thought it would be a great time to share with our children the true meaning of the day. 

We all know that freedom isn't free and that many had to pay the ultimate price with their lives. 

My father fought in the Vietnam War and one day while they were there he was in a helicopter close to the ground with his best friend and his friend was shot in the head right in front of him and didn't make it. 

Turn Our Eyes Away

"It is ever the Holy Spirit's work

 to turn our eyes away from self

to Jesus,




 but it is Satan's work

to do just the opposite."




-Charles Spurgeon

Poetry Tea Time - Spring Tea!

Did you know that April is National Poetry Month?

We celebrated with a Spring Tea and just kept it quick and simple using what we had around the house.

Empty Tomb Resurrection Rolls

Are you looking for a Christ-centered tradition or activity to do with your children at Easter?

These Empty Tomb Resurrection Rolls are a great choice!

They are simple, easy, and fun and don't take a lot of time.

Favorite Books by Charles Spurgeon

 

 "You are as much serving God in looking after your own children, and training them up in God's fear, and minding the house, and making your household a church for God, as you would be if you had been called to lead an army to battle for the Lord of hosts." ~ Charles Spurgeon