Happy Friday! This week has flown by. I am going to admit that I wish summer days wouldn’t go by so fast. I love (almost) every minute of having the kids home all summer. It is always a bit crazy at the beginning and we all have to get adjusted to all the time together. But overall, it is my favorite time of year! Anyway, it is a bit trickier to find time to keep up with the blog all summer. But, I am planning to be regular with my Friday Favorites post. This week includes summer style, a Lilly Pulitzer Fashion Show, our summer fun list and other favorites from the last few days.
Summer Fun List
Earlier this week, the kids and I worked on our summer fun list. We added some of our favorite summer traditions and also included a few new adventures. My daughter wants to try para sailing this summer–eeks! We try to balance our summer between scheduled, bigger activities with the right dose of relaxation and unstructured time.
I quickly put together a little daily and weekly schedule on the first day of our break. The kids were already asking me what to do and I realized we needed to start off our days with some routine.
The kids have a few things to do in the mornings…especially before they ask for screen time.
Daily Summer Routine
Swim Team (for the older kids)
1 Chore (Each pull a stick from our chore jar)
Make Bed
Practice Piano
Read or work on math books
It might seem like a lot to do, but honestly, besides swim practice the other activities take just about an hour. So then the rest of our days can be spent however we want. This structure keeps everyone happy.
Our Weekly Summer Routine
I also put together a “loose” weekly schedule. Since we have so many things on our summer fun list, I wanted to plan out some days that are set aside for these fun adventures. That way, the kids are not expecting that we are doing something BIG and FUN every single day.
Our schedule is also dependent on the weather and camps, etc but this routine is just intended to provide some structure for the days we don’t have anything going on.
I am looking for more ideas for our “service” day but some ideas include volunteering, helping a neighbor, making cookies for friends and family and writing a letter to a family member. I would love more ideas!
So far, we have stuck pretty closer to these schedules, but who knows as the summer goes on. Usually, as the summer progresses, we need to rely less on structure, because everyone finds their groove. But it sure helps to have a plan at the beginning of the summer!
Sweeties Candy Shop & Weekly Ice Cream Tradition
We already checked one item off our summer fun list with a trip to Sweeties Candy Shop. Advertised as America’s Largest Candy Shop, this store has it all including a full service ice cream shop and a warehouse of candy!
Our youngest son had a special trip with my mom, so we just had the big kids on this outing. B. A. Sweeties has it all. My 10 year old loved the make your own PEZ candy mix.
Actually, this summer, we are also starting a weekly ice cream tradition of trying a new ice cream shop every Wednesday. It is something to look forward to all week. So, we started off our new tradition at Sweeties!
Cooking Class at Sur La Table
This turned out to be a busy one! One evening my mom and I went to a cooking class at Sur La Table. It was a Mother’s Day gift to my mom and we had so much fun!
We went to a Pasta Making Class and we lucked out with a small class. So, we had a lot of hands on experience. I am already thinking about signing up for another class. It was so much fun and the class really motivated me to try out some new dishes!
As a bonus for attending the class, we got a 10% discount that night in the store. My mom and I both came home with a few things:)
First, this little strawberry huller was too cute (and helpful!) to pass up. We used this gadget in class to prep strawberries for a dessert. I have used it every day since I bought it!
Also, I couldn’t resist this mini ice cream sandwich maker! My family loves homemade desserts and I knew we would use this ice cream maker all summer long. There is a recipe card to make the sandwich and you can customize with any ice cream you like!
In fact, we have already tried it out this week. It makes the perfect mini size ice cream sandwiches. Perfect for a little after dinner treat:)
Lilly Pulitzer Fashion Show
Local friends, I wanted to tell you about a fun event you won’t want to miss. Next Thursday, June 20th, I will be joining a few other Cleveland bloggers for a Lilly Pulitzer fashion show! Lovely Paperie will be hosting the show and there will be prizes and activities all evening long. You can even sign up for a Stella & Shay Express mani. There are a few appointments left, but you do need to call for an appointment in advance.
Yesterday, I got the chance to do a try on for the show and now I can not wait for next week!
Lovely Paperie is my favorite shop in town and I have been a frequent customer since they opened in 2014. The owner Kate Fortney is a young mom with two little ones. She has created two beautiful spaces, a Children’s Boutique called Babycakes and her flagship store, Lovely Paperie. It is my go to store whenever I need to pick up a gift.
The fashion show will begin at 7:00 p.m. Hope to see you there!
Athleta Shorts
Speaking of summer style, another favorite of the week are a new pair of shorts. I picked up the cutest and comfiest shorts from Athleta last week. Athleta is one of my go to stores. It is on the pricier side compared to Target and other discount stores. But, everything I get there end up my favorite things in my closet. I have pants from Athleta that are years old!
These Skyline Shorts are my new favorite. This style also comes in pants and I was so tempted to get them as well. It is hard to tell but the top of the shorts are gathered and there is a belt! They come in four colors and I think the Hibiscus Red would be SO fun!
What I like about these shorts is that they can be dressed up or down. Just like most items at Athleta! The material is a light weight/sporty fabric.
This Week on the Blog
In case you missed the post, earlier this week, I kicked off a Summer Reading Challenge with my friend Keri Lynn Synder! We hope you will join us in this summer reading program for grown ups!
If you need an incentive to read more, this is your perfect opportunity. We will even have prizes if you complete a BINGO in our challenge.
I also shared the books I have read so far in 2019. So be sure to hop on over to the post!
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That about wraps up this week’s Friday Favorites post! My daughter leaves for her weeklong overnight camp this weekend. So, it is time we get organized! I am linking up with Erika, Narci and Andrea for this Friday Favorites post, so be sure to head over to their blogs as well!l!
That’s so awesome you will be helping to host the Lily show, I’m only 3 hours away, I should come. Love your summer fun list and yes to trying a new ice cream shop each week! Have a super sweet weekend!
I didn’t realize we were so close to each other! We have to meet sometime:)
That candy shop looks so fun and I CANNOT WAIT to read all about the Lilly fashion show! Wow!! Wish we had one near us 🙂 Have a great weekend Jaclyn- looks like your summer is off to the perfect start!
Holly I thought of you with the fashion show! I know how much you like Lilly Pulitzer.
We keep a basic summer routine as well. Like you said, it takes about an hour to get done a job and a little school work and it helps us to have a little structure to our day. My kids are still at an age where they get excited that I let them pick out a workbook for the summer and get excited about our weekly library hauls so it’s not been hard to get them to do it. I’ve still never been to Sweeties but it’s definitely on my list! Can’t wait to see what you model in the show and I hope you all have so much fun!
We need to get some new workbooks too. My younger two will still be into them as well. Sweeties is so fun–def. recommend checking it out.
What a great start to summer! That fashion show sounds like so much fun and I am always drawn to the colors and patterns– so summary!
Lilly Pulitzer definitely has cheerful patterns and colors!
I have a very similar routine with my kiddos so I do not go insane. We just came back from a 2 week vacation so we are just starting to get into the real swing of summer time at home.
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
A schedule sure is helpful! Hope you had a wonderful vacation!!
The fashion show sounds fun! Love the summer schedule. Hope it all goes great!
Thanks Dara! Sure hoping the weather improves here–it won’t stop raining. Not much of a warm and sunny summer so far.
I love your summer list and that you are visiting a new ice cream shop every Wednesday 🙂 That is my kind of summer!!!
Thanks Erin! Hope you have a great summer too!