Summer Reading Programs and Rewards

I've been looking for programs that will reward my kids for reading this summer. I thought I would share what I have found so far. If you know of any others, please let me know!

1) Chuck E. Cheese

If the kids fill out the reading chart for 2 weeks, they can turn it in for 10 free tokens. You can only turn in one chart per day, but the program doesn't expire until December 2010. So, you could get tokens every two weeks. (If you can get your kids in and out of there with only 10 tokens, it is probably a good deal. LOL)

http://www.chuckecheese.com/promotions/pdf/RewardReading.pdf?utm_source=EmailBlast&utm_medium=2010_06_01_newsletter&utm_campaign=EmailMarketing&utm_nooverride=1&link=text

2) Borders

This one is for kids 12 and under. You read any 10 books, list them on the form, and take the form to Borders by Aug. 26, 2010 and pick a free book from their special selections.

http://www.borders.com/online/store/MediaView_doubledogdare

3) Scriptures for Kids

This one is for families wanting to promote scripture reading this summer. It is a summer scripture challenge sponsored by Deseret Book. They want to promote reading the Book of Mormon. They have ideas for a kick off family home evening, and various printable reading charts (based on reading ability and length of time you want to do it). At the end of the challenge they will have certificates to be printed, a wall of fame, and the possibility of winning gift certificates to Deseret Book. It ends August 31.

http://scriptures4kids.com/index.php?option=com_phocadownload&view=category&id=6&Itemid=73

4) Barnes and Noble

At Barnes and Noble, you only have to read 8 books. Just print out the passport on their website (or pick one up at the store), fill in your books and information and take it to the book store before September 7, 2010.

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/summerreading/index.asp


5) If your child reads 10 books over the summer, you can order them an official Oregon summer reader certificate. The certificate has the national Collaborative Summer Library Program artwork on it and is signed by the State Librarian and the State Superintendent of Public Instruction.

http://www.oregon.gov/OSL/LD/youthsvcs/oregon.srp.certificate.shtml

6) If you go to the public library and sign up for their summer reading program, you get a free book for each child.

http://www.eugene-or.gov/portal/server.pt/gateway/PTARGS_0_0_9728_319_2195_43/http://ceppcontent.eugene1.net:7087/publishedcontent/publish/library/library_news___events/kids___family__summer_reading_events.html

They give teens free books too.

http://www.eugene-or.gov/portal/server.pt/gateway/PTARGS_0_0_9728_319_2195_43/http://ceppcontent.eugene1.net:7087/publishedcontent/publish/library/library_news___events/teen_summer_reading.html

And they have a summer reading program for adults.

http://www.eugene-or.gov/portal/server.pt/gateway/PTARGS_0_0_9728_319_2195_43/http%3B/ceppcontent.eugene1.net%3B7087/publishedcontent/publish/library/library_news___events/summer_reading_s_for_adults__too_.html

The nice thing about these programs is that you can over lap them. For example, while reading your books for Border, you can count the time for Chuck E. Cheese. Hopefully these programs will help keep my kids motivated the entire summer!

Fire Trucks and Ice Cream -

We recently went to a fundraiser at Baskin Robbins for the volunteer fire department. Scoops of ice cream were only .39 cents, and the kids got to climb in and see the fire trucks.
Alan was nice enough to get in line for ice cream while the kids and I toured the fire trucks.
Ben, of course, was in heaven! He had to pretend he was driving every truck they had.
The girls all wanted to try driving too.

After the kids had their tour of the fire trucks and asked every question they could think of to the firemen (and women), we went in and had ice cream. It is not often you can get two scoops for under a dollar these days! It was a fun - and economical - night :)

Leilani's First Temple Trip

Leilani was able to go on her first youth temple trip the end of March.

It was a very special experience - her Uncle Chris baptized her, her dad and her grandpa confirmed her, and her mom was there to help her out of the font and into the showers.
I can't believe that our first child is old enough to be in Young Women and go on temple trips! But I am glad that I am Young Women's president so that I can be there with her :)

Spring at Crater Lake

We were able to go snow shoeing at Crater Lake before the program closed for the season. We went with both sets of grandparents and took all of the kids.
Everyone went snow shoeing except Grandma Bevans (my mom) and Benjamin. They played in the snow and shopped while they waited for the rest of us.
The girls love to go on this hike. They still remembered most of the Ranger's spiel from last year, so they were the first ones with their hands up to answer questions.
I think Grandma and Grandpa Walker really enjoyed the hike too. It was a perfect sunny spring day, with lots of beautiful scenery.
The ranger asked Elisabeth if she wanted to go, and she eagerly said "yes." The age limit is age 8, so we were planning on having her stay and play with Grandma and Benjamin. She did well, though, and enjoyed going with us.
My dad got tired of waiting for slow people, so sometimes he took off on his own trail to find a great picture or to move up in the line.
It was fun to take pictures and enjoy the outdoors.
I hope this can become an annual family tradition. They provide the snowshoes for free, but my dad thinks we should invest in some (he and Mel and Illene own their own) so we can go hiking without the ranger. I have to admit that would be fun.
When we were done with the hike, they played around in the snow for a bit.
We took some pictures and then met back up with Benjamin and Grandma Bevans.
Benjamin had a good time with Grandma, and enjoyed the day as much as we did, I think. I just wish I could convince the young women that they want to come and try this hike out. I think they would enjoy it!
We stopped for one last picture on the way to the cars, so we could show how deep the snow was. It looks really deep, but they actually have quite a bit less this year than normal. It was a good day, and we really enjoyed the time spent with family.

Mr. North 2010

Benjamin was able to help Aaron Barnard with the Mr. North pageant last Saturday. (Aaron won the title, so Benjamin was part of a winning team!)
They have a costume portion, where little kids help the contestants present a theme. Aaron and Ben and another guy were dressed up like the three principals at North Eugene High School. (Aaron is the one in the purple vest. Ben is the short one. LOL)
Benjamin had to wear a wig, a lanyard and carry a walkie talkie. They had him pretend to speak into the walkie talkie (they dubbed a voice over the intercom) and tell the kids to stop clapping...only cheering allowed. It got a lot of laughs. I would love to see a picture of the actual principals and see how accurately they portrayed them.
Benjamin loved it. He was really excited to get to go on stage. All the costume themes were very cute! There was a scooby doo group that had the cutest little scooby doo :) (I didn't get a picture)
You had to love the Top Gun group too! (or maybe that movie just appeals to my generation)
They gave the kids presents for helping out. Benjamin was thrilled with his cup of candy and stickers. He has also found a new hero in Aaron...he was so excited to see him blessing the sacrament on Sunday. He was just waiting to see if Aaron would say "hi" to him later. Who knows? Maybe Benjamin will compete in that competition some day in the future.

Let's Try Ballet

Emily decided to give up gymnastics this year and try out ballet instead.

She has really been enjoying it - especially the pretty costumes!
She made me laugh inside (but don't get me wrong, I was VERY proud of her) when she told me about her teacher having them vote on which costume their class was going to wear. Apparently the class picked out a strapless, low cut outfit, but Emily told her teacher that her mother would NEVER let her wear that because our family believes in being modest. So her teacher said they would work it out and look for something else. Way to stand for what you believe in, Emily!

I think the costume is very pretty! Even if it does cover them up, LOL

Watching her dance takes me back to all the years I did dance. I'm glad I have a daughter who is trying it out. I empathize with all the hours my parents put in watching me, though. Now I am the one putting make up on the little girl and tucking underwear in and making sure she makes her curtain calls. Thanks, Mom! I know you put in a lot of time doing all those little things.

I Have A 12 Year Old Now!

My oldest daughter is now 12 years old. She completed her Faith in God award, and is very excited to be in Young women now!
She was heart attacked by the Beehives,
and her dreams came true when she got a new bike from Mom and Dad (it was even her favorite color!)
Her schedule was too busy on her actual birthday to celebrate much, so we made do with a cup of ice cream with a candle.
Sunday night we had the family over to celebrate. Leilani made her own cake.

She had lots of help opening presents.
We had a good time. She is growing up too fast, but she is becoming a pretty young lady.