Yesterday we spent the entire day at home. It rained on & off, so I went outside only to rotate our clothes drying on the laundry rack. I didn’t get to run, and it absolutely did not surprise me how much I missed my run. (I have a healthy addiction.) A sparkly highlight from yesterday was recording a podcast with Jenn Sprinkle in the afternoon for their book club podcast on 31 Days of Prayer for the Dreamer and the Doer (click here to buy the book). I loved how sharing a bit of my story reminded me this season of life may be what I’m called to do, but it isn’t always easy. I enjoyed chatting with Jenn so much!
Today begins our first “weekly beach trip of the Summer” season with my girlfriends, and I can’t wait! We did a practice run on Sunday with Zack and I have to admit, it was a lot easier than I thought it would be. Taking Max to the beach every week last Summer was one of my best parenting tips for success :) and my plan is to hit “repeat” this year. Note to self: bring way more food than you think you’ll need.
Tomorrow we are (finally) getting Natalie’s name plate engraved on our heirloom baby cradle. We’re only seven months late to the party, but maybe I’m the only one keeping track? I wonder which of my cousins will use it next… or if it’ll be our family? ;) That is not an announcement. Oh, and I just realized she’s the first great-granddaughter to have used the cradle. So sweet…
Do you take your kids somewhere every week during the Summer months?
Oh, how I loved this. I’m also staying at home with my 14 month old. I loved “this may be what I’m called to do but it isn’t always easy.” Amen? Amen. In the winter, we had winter park at our church, and it was so refreshing! They’ve continued summer park at local parks, but unfortunately it’s during my little guy’s nap time. He won’t sleep at the park, and he’s decided he won’t take an afternoon nap, so we stay home and he sleeps. I miss it very much. Thanks for all your encouragement to mamas lately :)
Thank you for sharing, Kara <3
We try to go swimming every Friday all year round (indoor in the winter of course). I also try to make library time and kid’s gym weekly events! Things are a little crazier with 2 kiddos now, but these little traditions are important
(I love the library!)
My kids are 13 (going on 30 in spirit) and 11 , so they go to ymca camp in the summer :) Also, I live in a rainy city(Portland, OR), but it has been in the 90’s here, so hot for us!
Awe! Sounds so fun for them ;)
I live in the Valley of the Sun in Arizona, and it is hot, hot, HOT! There’s no beach close by, and around July, the pools are more like warm baths. Therefore, we stay inside as much as possible in the summer. Winter months are our outside months. :) Enjoy the beach!
You could host inside “parties”, like a movie afternoon? The kids have a themed movie date (with coordinating snack) with their friends and the mamas are in the next room catching up and painting their nails ;)
I was thinking about doing that earlier today. We don’t have a car so I’m reliant on public transit, which is great here, but the idea of travelling with a toddler and a stroller to further places and having to come home seems quite daunting. But this year, I’m finding a new appreciation in being outside and just being OUT so I know we’ll get out and do stuff this summer, even if it just means going for a longer walk than usual :)
Are there any parks or libraries or rec centers you can visit? What about meeting with other mamas at a location? Make it easy for you, that’s my only advice <3
I love that you commit to visiting the beach once a week! Such a great “tradition” and something to look forward to…my mom friends and I meet at a park or one of our houses every Friday & its such an important time to connect, exchange ideas & support each other. Hoping we build in lots of beach and lake time this summer too.
That is something I really look forward to. Like, so much! I love that you feel the same way :)
“bring way more food than you think you’ll need”. haha! isn’t that so true?! how funny. we don’t have a great beach nearby (hello, middle-state utah!) but we’re planning a weekly pool visit! last summer my daughter was terrified of the water but this summer she seems to have done a 180, thank goodness! so pool, here we come ;)
LOVED chatting with you and can’t wait to share the podcast! Barring any technical difficulties it should be up in the morning:) xoxo, jenn
Such a lovely idea to go the the beach once a week! :)
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Love going to the beach & I have two little boys so I definitely understand having enough food!!
I’ve formed a moms Facebook group with my friends for the summer. I post what activity we’re going to do on Sunday night & then we meet on Tuesday morning. We go to the beach, hike, parks, pick berries, etc. Its a fun way for the moms to get together in the summer!
That’s a great idea!
Enjoy that time at the beach with your babies! So neat that you live so close! And I bet they sleep well at night on beach days! :)
They do!!!!! It’s the best! ;)