Share Your Summer: Favorite Summer Memories

Today wraps up our Share Your Summer link party. We've had a blast sharing our summer with you and getting a sneak peek at yours. 

Official summer still has a few more weeks and we are getting in as much pool, lake, and cookout time as we possibly can while the warm weather sticks around (which technically means we should be good through October), but with back-to-school in full swing the carefree days of summer have come to an end. 

We reflect on some of our favorite memories this summer and can't help but think it was a truly awesome summer! 

Favorite moment #1: Summer kick-off at the lake

This is always one of my favorite moments of the summer. We've kicked off summer at the lake for years and it's always a fun time for both the kids and the adults. It's carefree and signals the official start of summer for our little crew. 

Favorite moment #2: Jamaica Mon!

Definitely one of my favorite moments of this summer was our trip to Jamaica. It was a great trip for many reasons and so much fun, but most of all I loved that I was able to unhook and relax with those that I love the most. We already can't wait to go back one day as a family. 

Favorite Moment #3: Lazy Days

Oh my our school year schedule is always go go go, and I know it's only going to get crazier as everyone gets older. It's always filled with fun (well, for the most part), but sometimes it's just nice to have a lazy day or two. This summer we definitely took advantage of not having any activities they entire eight weeks. It was GLORIOUS! 

Favorite Moment #4: Sharing Childhood Memories 

I loved being able to take both of my children to spend time with my family at the beach I grew up as a child. Even though Hilton Head has become a little more commercialized than when I spent my summers there, it is largely the same, and getting the chance to take my children to my favorite restaurants and play on the same beach is so much fun. I hope we are able to do it for years to come. 

Favorite Moment #5: Fun with Friends

We always have a blast with our friends, and this summer was no exception. Whether we were on a fun excursions about town, splashing at the pool, or having ninja water balloon fights in the back yard, I know my kids will look back fondly on the summer as just being able to enjoy great company with great friends. 

Favorite Moment #6: Change

A lot of change has been happening with our little family lately (more on this later), but one of the fun changes I shared on Instagram a few weeks ago. We've embraced each change as a family, and are excited about what the next year holds for us. I will share a little more in the upcoming weeks, but it has been fun to embrace these changes this summer and see the excitement through the eyes of our little ones. 

Over all we wish summer would never end and have enjoyed every minute of it...even the "I'm bored!" moments. 

Share your summer with us and let us know what some of your favorite moments were this summer. 

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Share Your Summer: Keepin' Cool

Happy Monday!  We are reaching the end of our Share Your Summer series and have just one more week left after this one.  Today's topic is Keepin' Cool.  Even though my girls have been back in school for a week now, it still feels like summer around here.  I'm talking temperatures in the triple digits.  

Yes, it is seriously that hot.  I can hardly stand to wait at the bus stop for them in the afternoon because there is no shade up there.  But, because I can't just sit inside by the air conditioner vents I'm having to find other ways to help us stay cool during these hot days.  

The first thing I try to do is just avoid the hottest parts of the day. Kind of a no-brainer, but I can't take the mid-day heat and neither can our dog, Walker.  I like to walk him at least once a day and sometimes twice. It's just way to hot to go during the day so I try to get out first thing in the morning or I have to go after dinner.  

We are still trying to swim every chance we get!  Obviously, that is the easiest way to cool off.  We are lucky to have some friends and neighbors with pools and they are kind enough to invite our crew over now and then.  

When we aren't hanging by the pool we're trying to stay very well hydrated.  I send a water bottle with the girls to school each day.  They get to keep water at their desks so they can have it any time, but especially after PE, recess, and other times they go outside.  Fun cups always make water more fun and this summer their very favorites were these mist water bottles.  

It has as sports top to drink out of, but it also has a button to spray a mist of water.  You can spray your face (or a friend) when you need to cool off.  They promised not to abuse the ability to mist and so far it seems to be going well.  These have also been nice outside at soccer and cheer practices.  Highly recommend these cups.  Click HERE to order your own. :-)  

While I drink water most of the day, in the afternoons I like to have a little something different to switch it up.  My new favorites are these IZZE drinks. 

They are sparkling juice, only 90 calories and they are so yummy!  A friend of mine served them at a birthday party recently and loved it.  I couldn't find them at my grocery store, but Costco had a multi pack of three flavors - Clementine, Apple, and Blackberry.  I can't decide which is my favorite!  You can also order on Amazon HERE.  

While I would like to think that fall temps are right around the corner, truth is it will stay hot here until October, so we're going to keep trying to stay as cool as we can.  I'd love to know any other tricks or tips you have, so be sure to share in the comments!  Also, we hope you will link up with us below!  

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Share Your Summer: Lemon

Happy Monday everyone! Today marked the first day of school for many people. Fortunately even though our school district started today our preschool decided to hold off for a few weeks, so we still have two more weeks of summer. 

I am most definitely not ready to give up summer just yet. The humidity can take it down a notch, but  otherwise summer is still in going full swing in this house. 

Nothing says summer to me more than lemon. I was so excited when this Share Your Summer topic came up because I love everything lemon, and during the summer months I indulge in the yummy flavor of lemon as much as possible. From lemonade to lemon pound cake to lemon ices you can't go wrong.  

In my lemon craving, I decided to make lemon bars. I hadn't tried to make them on my own yet, but baking is my jam and I found a easy enough recipe that I couldn't wait to try. 

I followed the instructions to a tee and couldn't wait for them to cool off so I could officially try them. The scrumptious smelling lemon flavor was almost too much to handle, but I held back and let them cool appropriately. 

I am so glad I did because the result was worth waiting for. They were the perfect bar consistency with just enough lemon tart flavor. Southern summer in a dessert form for sure. 

LEMON BARS

Ingredients

(For the pastry bottom)

- 1 cup of butter, sliced

- 1/2 cup of sugar

- 2 cups of flour

(For the lemon mixture)

-1 1/2 cups of sugar

-1/4 cup of flour

- 4 large eggs

- 2 lemons juiced (approximately 2/3 to 3/4 of a cup)

Directions

- Preheat oven to 350 degrees (325 for darker pans or glass pans)

-Blend the butter, flour, and sugar together in a food processor (will be kind of textured)

- Place pastry mixture evenly in the bottom of a greased 8x8 pan. 

- Bake for 10-15mins 

- While baking the pastry, place ingredients for the lemon mixture in a bowl and mix until sugar has dissolved. (Will still have some lumps in it.)

- Pour over the hot pastry base. 

- Bake for about 20-25 minutes or until the top begins to brown. 

- Remove and let cool completely (approximately 30 mins)

- Sprinkle powdered sugar on top. 

- Divide and serve. 

**Using a wet knife will make it easier to cut the bars. 

Seriously so yummy! If you are craving a little more lemony goodness check out the lemon board we created on Pinterest with some of our favorite blogger friends a few months ago. There are tons of great recipes, cocktails, and fun fashion trends. 

We can't wait for you to share some more of your summer with us. Be sure to link up what has inspired you this summer and share all things lemon. 

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Share Your Summer: Battle the Boredom

Happy Monday everyone! Today's Share Your Summer edition is all about Battling the Boredom. 

Fortunately, The Cutes are still pretty young and usually don't get too bored during the day (or at least don't know that word yet to tell me). Our summers here are so short and so far ours has been packed out. We've been to the beach, had camp, spent days at the pool splashing away, and done tons of playing with all of our favorite little friends. 

It's also been nice that we can often take the summer fun outside. It hasn't rained much at all in our neck of the woods so outside play morning, noon and night is an easy activity to achieve. Our littles can play outside for hours! Even if it is 100 degrees with 80% humidity and I feel like I am going to pass out from heat exhaustion in .2 seconds, they keep going and going and and going. 

And when in doubt we bring the water balloons and sprinkler out. :) 

Still even with all that available fun, I can tell some days that The Cutes get tired of the normal summer lazy routine. A couple of times I have joined Carrie Beth on her summer bucket list mission, and often I have referred to our summer activities list, but at home I have a few tricks up my sleeve too. 

We have a closet in our hallway that I store games and activities. This closet has a child proof doorknob on it so that they can't go in it freely. I choose to use this closet as something of a special treat so that they get excited about anything coming out of there. If any time I see The Cutes are starting to act out out of boredom or need something new to do, I ask them if they want to choose something from the special closet. 

Here are some of their favorite activities and games that I have stashed in the closet...

1: Playdough - We have a huge tub of Playdough and accessories and they could play with this for hours. What child doesn't love Playdough. Mommy just can't handle all the mixing and crumbs that get everywhere. Limiting this to a special treat makes it more fun for them and mommy's OCD can take a back seat to all the squealing and smiles. 

2: Kinetic Sand/CraZsand - Carrie Beth has mentioned this sand before, but it really is fantastic. Both littles love it and we can play it inside and outside with little or no fuss. And clean up really is minimal unlike real sand. 

3: "Who Shook Hook?" - This game is one of the kids absolute favorite. Cute received it for Christmas and loves it. It's based on the Jake and the Neverland Pirates show from Disney, and the object of the game is to get some of Hook's treasure without waking him. When Hook falls from his hammock the game ends and the kids usually think it is hilarious. Great for little ones who are trying to work on fine motor skills. 

4: Let's Go Fishing Game - This game, or a version of it, I remember from when I was younger. Well the classic entertainment has held true for future generations because both Cutes love playing it. 

5: Super Sorting Pie - I actually saw this game in Cute's preschool class a few years ago. His teacher used it to help students with their pincher grasp and fine motor skill practice. Cute loved the game and often talked about it at home so we purchased one. Now years later he still loves it, and so does Little Cute. It also helps with sorting, color identification, and counting. 

The closet has a ton of other goodies and arts and crafts, but these are the ones they usually pull out first and get most excited to play with. 

Summer fun is coming to an end soon (sooner than we would like), but know we are going to savor these last few weeks we have. We have tons of fun little activities planned so hopefully that end of summer wall that most kids hit keeps at bay, and then it's time for school. 

How do you and your little ones battle the boredom over the summer? 

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Share Your Summer: Fifty Shades of Summer {Sunglass Style}

Happy Monday!  Today is another topic in our Share Your Summer series and it's all about sunglasses style.

I love sunglasses. My eyes are very sensitive to light so even on cloudy days I feel like I'm squinting and need my glasses on.  I do have a confession though...I have never bought a nice pair of sunglasses.  Mine are always inexpensive ones from Target or TJ Maxx and I even have a pair that I bought in the airport on the way to Key West because I had forgotten mine in the car.

My current favorite pair are some I got at TJ Maxx.  They have turquoise blueish lenses, which is my favorite color.  Last week when we were getting ready to head out and run a few errands the girls told me I was blue from head to toe and they were right. I knew this post was coming up so I had them help me snap a few quick pics in the front yard.

I decided to pick some of my current favorites right now if I were to spend a little more money on a nice pair.  (Click pictures for links and details)

You know we love Lilly and that holds true for sunglasses, too.  I love the pretty blue frames!

These Coach ones are nice and pretty neutral with just a little with the blue on the sides.

I've seen tons of people with these fun Ray-Bans.  The non-metal frame makes me think they might be a little more sturdy and withhold the damage that goes on in my purse?!? 

And these classic Ray-Ban aviators with the blue lenses are a fun twist on an old classic.  

We'd love to see your sunglasses style so be sure to link up with us below!  Hope you all have a great start to your day!

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Share Your Summer: Summer Schedule

We loved seeing everyone's fabulous Red White and Blue summer shares last week. If you want a little peek at 4th of July cuteness seriously check it out. 

Today's Share Your Summer is all about your summer schedule. I can happily say that we have enjoyed a summer filled with NO SCHEDULE. It has been blissful to say the least. 

We've had a few activities here and there as well as a beach trip or two thrown in, but for the most part we wake up each day with the freedom to enjoy whatever we like. After a school year of "go, go go!" it has been a welcome break. 

We do have somewhat a daily routine and I will share that with you guys in all its boring gloriousness. :)

Morning: 

Usually Cute is our early riser, and when school isn't in session he usually sleeps until 7:30a.m. He and I eat our breakfast and enjoy a cartoon or two before Little Cute makes her appearance. She is our resident late sleeper and usually graces us with her presence somewhere around 9:00.m. 

Once everyone has eaten we usually suit up, lotion up, and make our way to the pool. Some days I pack my usual bag and some days I include our lunch so we can swim straight through to nap time. The Cutes love the pool and usually have no problem swimming for hours.

If we schedule a playdate, we usually try to plan it for the AM before it gets too hot. Although lately all times of day are hot. 

Afternoon: 

Our afternoons tend to be pretty boring. Little Cute still naps so usually we put her happily to sleep after a busy morning, and Cute and I do house chores or stay in the basement playroom to play. Sometimes Cute needs a quick break as well though and then the whole house enjoys a quiet nap time. Those days are rare, but much welcomed.

Evening: 

We usually eat dinner around 5:30 - 6:00p.m. each night and then we try to take the party outside. It is usually still hot, but at least bearable. The Cutes enjoy playing on the playground, biking, blowing bubbles, water balloon fights and just generally enjoying carefree summer nights. 

And that's not complete without a scoop of ice cream or a popsicle or two occasionally. :) 

And there you have it, our non-existent schedule. We will be savoring it for the next few weeks before school starts. I know that Carrie Beth and I are both in denial that summer is nearly over. 

Now it's your turn. Share your summer schedule with us. Do you have a busy routine, or are you enjoying carefree summer days?

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Share Your Summer: Red, White & Blue

We hope everyone had a great 4th of July weekend.  Our families love this holiday and everything it stands for.  Today as part of our Share Your Summer series we are talking about all things red, white and blue.  We hope you'll link up with us!

My family was a the lake for the 4th, but that didn't stop my from celebrating at home before we left. I love decorating my house for holidays and this one was no exception.

I didn't do a whole lot inside this year since we wouldn't be in town, but I did change my chalk-board message and added a few flags in mason jars.

Outside I hung a mini American flag on my garden flag pole and added coordinating ribbons.

On the front doors I have my burlap anchors hanging and since they match, I just left them up.  I made these the same way I did the football ones.  You can find the tutorial HERE.

I added red pillows on the bench and also set out some fun red, white and blue pinwheels along with a handmade basket I've had for years.  I finally got smart and put all of the stuff I always need outside in the basket (dog leash, treats, bug spray, etc.) so it's out there and I don't have to keep running back inside for it.  

Our side door on the porch has some fun added to it, too! I used to use this on the front door at our old house, but since we have double front doors now, all of my old wreaths and things get moved to the side door.

We can't wait to see your red, white and blue so be sure to link-up below!

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