10 Things That Happened in June

Summer is in full swing and man, we’re having a blast! Every summer I put a lot of effort into taking a big step back from work to just enjoy the kids. This time with them while they’re little is so fleeting, and I want to soak up as much summer magic as I can.

Of course, it’s not always that easy. Bills still need to be paid, the house still needs to be cleaned, and life goes on. There are days where it’s hard to be present with them! But, it’s worth the effort. We’ve been taking long walks, going out for ice cream, and watching movies. We’ve scheduled playdates, had too many Sonic slushes, and stayed up way too late. It’s honestly been one of the best summers yet!

There are only about 6 weeks left before they head back to school, so I’m going to keep taking things day by day and doing my best to enjoy every minute. Someone remind me of this the next time I’ve heard them ask Google to make a fart sound for the 100th time in a row.

10 Things That Happened in June

• We went on weekly ice cream dates! I created a little bracket to help us find the best ice cream around us. We’ve been going every Wednesday to get some ice cream and rank it as a family. It’s an easy under-$20, 30-minute outing that they look forward to all week long! I think having a bracket like this is going to have to be a yearly tradition for us, because they’ve loved it so much.
• Jackson had his “YES Day”. It was probably the most chill yes day we’ve ever had, but I’m not complaining. He really didn’t want to do much other than hang out at home and be free from chores or responsibilities. We went to see Inside Out 2, we had dinner at his favorite burger place, and we did a few crafts. Other than that, it was all movies and video games and relaxing. Read more about our Yes Days here!
• We went on summer adventures. I love creating mini moments of summer magic all week long. It’s easy and doesn’t require much effort. Quick walks around the neighborhood, visits to the library, and sleepovers in your brother’s room all feel extra special in the summer. My number one tip is to snap a photo of these sweet little everyday moments – I promise when you look back on them, you’ll realize how special they really are.
• We saw the Frozen Broadway show! My sister has season tickets to Broadway in Austin, and they couldn’t go to this show, so they offered up their seats. It was an incredible show, and I was so excited to be able to take the kids! Frozen has always been a big deal in our house, and they were beside themselves with excitement. Honestly, so was I.
• I found the perfect white dress. This summer I decided I wanted to find a good white sundress, so I ordered a bunch to see if I could find one that worked. And, I found three that I loved! I know this line item is probably more at home down in the “favorite products” section, but it felt like a bit of an event in my house with how seriously I took this task, so I’m leaving it here. You can see all of my favorites right here!

• We tie-dyed shirts and did a few other crafts. I’m always looking for simple crafts we can do together this time of year, and tie-dying shirts is a must for us every year. Click here to see how they turned out. The kids always look forward to this so much!
• We celebrated Father’s Day. It was a truly lovely and relaxing day – summer is so busy and chaotic that when we can get a chill day, we take it! Corey took the day off work, I made breakfast, and he took Jackson to a local VR place. We had dinner the night before at one of his favorite restaurants, and I grilled up a big dinner the night of. It was lovely!
• Did I mention the pool? Listen, this summer we have taken advantage of our neighborhood pool. Every time the kids get a little antsy or bored I declare it time to go to the pool. It wears ’em out, it gets us all out of the house, and they never fail to have a blast. I’ve always heard that with cranky kids you should just add water, and this summer I’m finding it to be so true.
• We had a date! We used to be so good about going on regular dates but lately life has gotten in the way. So, once night the kids went to spend the night with my parents and we took full advantage. We went out to our favorite restaurant and indulged a bit. We stayed up a little late hanging out. We stayed in bed the next morning and went out to breakfast at a place the kids don’t like. It was much-needed and so fun!
• We slept in, stayed up too late, and snuggled a ton. Listen, summer isn’t all about the go-go-go adventures for us. This summer, the kids have been staying up a lot later than normal, we’ve been turning off our alarms anytime we can, and we never say no to a snuggle on the couch. Is it the most exciting thing to include in a top 10 list? No. But is it what I spent as much time as possible doing? Yes. Yes, it is.

Top 10 Finds This Month

1. I’ve been looking for some good plain oversized shirts to wear with biker shorts. Well, the second I put this one on my body I sent a Marco Polo to my college bestie to tell her she needed to order one immediately, and then I ordered it in two more colors. It’s pure perfection.
2. I also ordered a few pairs of pajamas because I didn’t own any shorts sets. This pair is my favorite so far – so comfy and I feel really put together in it! I’ve been wearing it almost non-stop.
3. I love using these reader sets with kiddos just learning how to read. I ordered a couple for Grant and he’s been using them daily during his reading time. They’re slightly below his reading level, which makes them perfect for him to read independently. Jackson used these too – they’re a classic, and so good for emerging readers!
4. This dress was one I loved on my white dress search, but I ended up deciding to return the white one an order it in green. It’s such a gorgeous dress, and so versatile!
5. The boys have been playing this simple game nonstop. They giggle so hard while they’re playing, and it keeps them busy for a nice, long time. There’s not much more I can ask for in the summer!
6. I ordered this bag in white (the large size) and am using it as my summer purse. It feels perfect for this time of year – it’s roomy, it’s light and easy to carry, and it’s so dang cute!
7. This flowy skort was an instant hit for me. It doesn’t look like would have shorts built in, but it does, which makes it so perfect for days where I’m chasing kids around. Who would’ve guessed that skorts would be back and looking SO MUCH BETTER?!
8. Ordered this set of two serving bowls on a whim, and I’m in love. They’re a great size, they’re so beautiful, and they’re nice and hefty. I currently have them sitting on my dining table because they’re so pretty, but I know I’ll use them all the time for dinner parties!
9. This tank was an instant favorite for me. I actually grabbed it for an outfit I’m planning for our September Disney World trip, but I’ve worn it several times already.
10. And finally, Grant is starting to struggle with the dark a bit, so we needed a lamp for his room. I grabbed this one and it’s been perfect. It’s so cute, it’s dimmable, and it’s solved all of our nighttime woes.