This week was all about checking things off the summer bucket list.
With only a few weeks left before school starts, it feels “down to the wire” to squeeze in all the summer fun.
Of course, as a homeschooling family, there is no saying we couldn’t adjust our school schedule one week or maximize an afternoon after school to take advantage of the nice summer weather that often lasts into September and October.
But there is something about June, July, and August that really feels like summer.
Last week, we finally made it fruit picking (blueberries and peaches), so that checked one item off.
This week, I wanted to host a chalk art contest for the kids.
The Contest
This ended up being rather impromptu and without a lot of fanfare, but the kids seemed to have fun.
While we were busy making peach jam (post to come), Robyn and I sent two of the boys out to measure 3 ft x 3 ft squares and outline them in chalk in the driveway.
Then, I explained the rules:
- Draw whatever you like within the square.
- The contest would last approximately 45 minutes (though the kids were finished much more quickly than this).
- Don’t scribble on or otherwise ruin other people’s drawings.
- All drawings would be judged anonymously by a neutral judge (we roped my mom into selecting the winner).
- No fighting.
- Share the chalk.
- Anyone who violates these rules would be disqualified.
- Winner gets a prize!
I have to say, it did keep the kids busy for a brief period of time (and out of our hair as we juggled hot jars of jam).
The Entries
They managed to open all three of the giant boxes of chalk, but the final entries includes a Nerf blaster, a rainbow with the adults standing on top, a rocket ship, and….some unidentifiable pictures.
I think this will become an annual tradition for sure!
And the winner is…
In true grandma style, my mom chose the happy rainbow scene.
The first place winner received a brand new bucket of chalk and a packet of candies.
The kids then insisted that a second place winner should be selected, so my mom returned to the driveway to deliberate once again.
Second place went to the joint creation of the “bros” (one of Robyn’s sons and one of mine):
I can almost hear the countdown to blast off.
I’d love to hear about your child’s greatest chalk creations (or your own!). Leave us a comment!