Summer – Page 2

Texas Caviar Recipe

June 16, 2016

Earlier this week, before I went on “partial bed rest” we went swimming and grilled out and enjoyed the perfect summer afternoon! One of my favorite things about summertime is spending it outdoors in the pool or enjoying time with friends and family and good food. We love to grill year round, but there is something about a BBQ or grilled chicken in the summer that makes me excited. This week, we made some Texas Caviar as the perfect appetizer for our pool day and we have been enjoying it all throughout the week. I love Texas Caviar because it is delicious and healthy! Win-win!

Summer Grilling Texas Caviar Recipe

Memorial Day Weekend

May 31, 2016

This Memorial Day weekend was a special one! We spent the entire long weekend (and then some, because we are still here) with my grandparents and family in Florida. We have been here for 5 days and are going to be sad to go back home tomorrow. I could get used to going to the beach and pool every day! We were able to spend Memorial Day with our favorite Navy vet – my grandfather which was special. He told us old Navy stories and we ate tons of great food and laughed – a lot.

Memorial Day Weekend

Kid-Friendly Frozen Pink Lemonade Recipe

May 24, 2016

I have always loved to spend most of my time outdoors. We grew up in a house (that my family and I are currently living in) that has a huge back porch across the back of the house. We love to sit out there and swing year round and enjoy the beauty of God’s nature and the hilariously terrible golf swings of the golfers behind our year to hit their golf balls into our pool all too often (which is far right to where they should be hitting them). It started getting unseasonably warm in March this year. Some years it snows in April and others it is already in the 90’s. I feel like it has been summer here for a month now, and we have loved enjoying time outside watching the kids play. Today during snack time/ play time, I made a delicious batch of frozen pink lemonade. I was in the mood for something different than my usual water or sweet tea, so I got in the kitchen and went to work.

Frozen Pink Lemonade Recipe

Beach Trip in Destin

April 25, 2016

As I mentioned in Friday’s post, it had been a while since Ryan and I went on a vacation – alone – in over 3 years. Yikes! Heading to Destin was the best semi-spontaneous decision we have ever made and it was exactly what the doctor ordered for both of us. Sometimes, getting away from your every day life is exactly what you need to recharge, and that is exactly what we did. We relaxed and ate…a lot.

Destin Beach Destin Trip

On Trend: Pineapples

July 22, 2015

My favorite trend this summer has been Flamingos by far, however, pineapples are definitely my second favorite trend. I snagged a pineapple necklace a while back from one of my favorite Etsy shops and I wear it all the time! I love small accents of pineapple! I also happened upon some #LilyforTarget pineapple sandals one day which was super exciting! I included a couple of items for babies as well because I love dressing SR in pineapples. One of my favorite rompers that she owns is from H&M and is covered in pineapples which was my inspiration for this post.

Here are a few of my other pineapple favorites:

Scarf
Swimsuit
Bucketfeet Sneakers
Straws
Bangle
Ice Cube Tray
Headband
Pillow
Garland
Tumbler
Dope Tee
Onesie
Gray Tee
Shorts
Earrings
Monogrammed Sticker
Necklace
Banner

What are some of your favorite summer trends?

Free Summer Date Ideas

July 21, 2015

I am always looking for date ideas that don’t cost a lot of money. We love to go on dates, but they can be so expensive. Especially if we go often (who am I kidding). I’ve been trying to get a little creative this summer with our dates in order to save money. With the holidays approaching and all of our summer birthdays, we are starting to budget a little tighter and don’t have as much to spend on “fun” things. Here is a list of a few Summer date ideas that won’t cost you a dime!

Picnic
Free City Concert
Movie Night
Cook a Romantic Meal Together
Feed the Ducks at a Local Pond
Go to a Free Museum
Scavenger Hunt
Build a Sand Castle (make it a contest!)
Fly a Kite
Learn to Surf
Go Swimming
Play your Favorite Card or Board Game
Make Homemade Ice Cream
Tour Your Hometown
Lay on the Beach
Make S’mores around the Firepit
Bike Ride
Get Lost in a Flea Market

What do you like to do on date nights?

Outshine your Playdate Snacks

July 15, 2015

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #OutshineSnacks #CollectiveBias

When thinking of snack ideas for our play dates, I like to think of a satisfying treat that both the kids and mothers will enjoy. This week was my turn to bring snacks and so it dawned on me to stop by Walmart and grab some Outshine Bars! My family has been snacking on Nestle Outshine Fruit Bars for over 18 years, and now we are enjoying the new Outshine Simply Yogurt Bars.

I love these bars because they are made with simple, honest ingredients that make you feel as good as they taste! I don’t know about you, but I need a snack that is going to satisfy my cravings. I know after a full day of swimming, my son does, too.

After taking the Outsmart your Snack quiz and receiving my $1 off coupon, I realized all the wonderful things Outshine is doing for our communities. I got really excited because I love supporting brands that give back. Outshine provides fresh fruit and vegetables to communities in need through Feeding America. Through July 31st, for every specially marked box of Outshine Simply Yogurt bars purchased, one pound of fresh fruits and veggies will be donated to a local food bank. How awesome is that?

My son and his little friends absolutely loved the NEW Outshine Simply Yogurt Bars, and the moms were a big fan as well. They come in strawberry and blueberry flavors. I love them both. It is impossible to choose a favorite. We were pretty popular at our swimming pool play date. My husband still prefers the fruit and fruit and veggie bars and I love to eat the coconut water bars after an afternoon workout! They are so satisfying and the protein in them is the perfect post-workout fuel that my body needs.

I am all about better for you snacking, and these bars were such a huge hit at our playdate, that I will definitely be bringing them again.

What snacks do you bring to your playdates? What flavor of the NEW Outshine Simply Yogurt Bars would you like to try?

Pool Safety Tips

July 13, 2015

Last summer, I experienced my scariest “mommy moment” to date. My son (9 months at the time), fell off of a float and into the pool at my parent’s house. My siblings and parents were in the pool when we dropped by to say hi and they wanted me to prop Hampton up on a float so he could float around with them for a bit. My dad decided he was ready to get out of the pool and he didn’t notice Hampton on the float. He pushed the float out of his way and Hamp went tumbling off and sank to the bottom of the pool.

Without even thinking, I jumped in (fully clothed) and scooped him off the bottom of the pool. It was the scariest thing that has ever happened to me and Hampton. Luckily, he was okay, but I was so upset with myself for allowing this to happen. I’m supposed to protect him – always. It was so upsetting. This situation could have had a really different outcome. We were lucky.

One thing I have learned with kids is accidents happen – whether a parent is there paying attention or not. Pools are so much fun, but they can be very scary. Thankfully, Aflac offers Accident Policies for these situations. Had Hampton been really damaged or hurt from this, it would have been terrible to not have insurance that covered accidents.

I want to share some pool safety tips with all of you because it is always good to refresh our memories on how to stay safe while we enjoy our summer.

Pool Safety Tips:

1. Don’t run close to a pool.
2. Keep your children away from drains and other openings to avoid them getting trapped.
3. Watch your children at all times.
4. Teach your kids how to swim and basic water safety tips.
5. No diving in shallow water.
6. Keep riding toys (like bikes) away from the pool area.
7. Keep your pool clean so the water is clear.
8. Don’t swim alone.
9. Don’t push people in the pool.
10. Keep electronics away from the pool.
11. Teach children how to float as early as possible.
12. Make sure young children wear floating devices (arm floaties, life jacket, etc.) at all times.

Please be safe this summer! For more information on Aflac’s Accident Policies, please visit their accident insurance page.

How do you practice water safety?

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

20 Summer Activities to do with Your Toddler

July 2, 2015

Now that it is warm and sunny and perfect outside, we are always looking for ways to be out there enjoying the weather. Hampton loves to play outside and if he had it his way, he’d live out there. Here are a few summer activities that will keep your little one busy and allow you both to enjoy the warm summer months:

Splash Pad
Zoo
Water Park
Pool Day
Park
Picnic
Get Messy with Chalk
Slip n’ Slide
Turn on the Sprinkler
Bowling
Water Table
Play ball – baseball, basketball, soccer etc.
Lemonade Stand
Make Popsicles
Dance Party
Ride Bikes
Wagon Rides
Make S’mores
Fly Kites
Read a Book

Also check out these Toddler Playdate Ideas!

Flamingo Lovin’

July 1, 2015

I’m not going to lie, sometimes, I’m a sucker for trends. I try really hard not to be. I like to splurge on staple pieces rather than trendy things that I know will only be “in” for a season or two. However, this flamingo trend is near and dear to my heart. I love the flamingo fashion!

I grew up with my grandmother having a love for flamingos. Every Christmas, birthday, etc. she loves to receive anything with a flamingo on it. Somewhere along the way, I fell in love with them as well. How can you not love a pink animal?

I wanted to highlight a few of my favorites that I have seen floating around the internet. Baby girl and I actually own these rompers and love them! I think it is so much fun to match my Rae girl, and these rompers are no exception! I hope you enjoy these mommy and me flamingo styles as much as I do!

Other Flamingos I’m Lovin’:

Tumbler

Gold Print