Reading · Dash of Delight

We are fully summering over here (see!). It’s only been about two weeks and I already feel like a full-blown camp counselor… and I love it. Aside from my house quite literally never being picked up (there are forts everywhere), we are thriving. I love having everyone home!

I have help a few days a week with the kids so I can work… it would be truly impossible to do it alone, and I’m so grateful for our sweet nanny, who has become family over the past two years. What a blessing. But on the days when it’s just me and the kids, we are doing all the things, and it’s exactly how I like it.

Even though not a whole lot is actually different in the summer when your kids are little like mine, ages four and (almost!!) two, it just feels different, you know? My oldest goes to a little preschool three days a week, and that’s out for the summer, so that’s our biggest change. Honestly, we’re all just so happy he’s home.

When I sat down and really thought about what I wanted this summer to look like, two words kept coming up: simple and thoughtful. We have a few trips on the horizon, but other than that, we’re really just leaning into little-kid season… and that doesn’t really require a ton of fancy plans!

So here are a few very simple, low-lift things I’m doing this summer to make the season feel special, add a bit of whimsy, and (try to!) protect our peace.

I heard this somewhere right when my first was born, and it’s a mantra we stand by in this house: “just add water.” We’ve added the “& bubbles.”

It’s 9 a.m. and everyone is melting down? Bubble bath. It’s 3 p.m. and we’re getting stir crazy? Turn on the hose and fire up the bubble machine. It’s 5 p.m. and dinner isn’t quite ready? Here are some mixing bowls of ice, a squirt of dish soap, and a few scoopers and whisks, have at it, kids!

There is just something about water (and bubbles) that makes everyone happy. We don’t have a pool, but these $10 Target pools are the best… and our bubble machine is always working overtime.

We love sprinkles in this house… honestly, who doesn’t? These are our favorite dye-free ones; I buy three at a time ($4!!) because I can’t risk ever running out.

Every week I make a little (not-so-bad-for-you) treat for the kids to look forward to. Our current favorites are paleo chocolate-chip cookies and these paleo fudgy brownies! I absolutely cover them in sprinkles, and it’s something fun we all look forward to.

As a side note: I also like to make one veggie muffin recipe per week in mini-muffin form… so if the day goes sideways, at least I managed to throw a zucchini or carrot muffin (love this recipe) in their direction between the hot dogs at the pool. Ha!

Before becoming a mom, I used to dream about family movie nights… all of us cuddled under our favorite quilt with a big bowl of popcorn. Ugh, it sounded like heaven. And I can confirm: it is.

I’d happily watch a movie every single night in the summer (it’s usually raining here, and it’s peak cozy), but in reality we probably do it once a week… because last night we were up late playing “rocket ship” while the kids brought us “moon rocks” from all over the house. Equally as sweet!

Ryan brings me coffee in bed almost every single morning. It’s so sweet, and also a very good reason to set my alarm early!

Getting a full cup of coffee in, plus a minute to journal, read, use my favorite red light (a must!) or honestly just… think, before I become a human jungle gym does wonders. Always, but especially in the summer when the energy is high. In an ideal world, I get my coffee, journal, and a workout in before the kids wake up. But at the bare minimum, a quiet cup of coffee can change the whole course of my day! Simple.

We do so many fun things during the week… the pool, the splash pad, playground hopping, playdates. But I try to plan at least one thing a week that I really look forward to. Something I know the kids will love too, but that really fills my cup too!

Story time at the library, then brunch at my favorite restaurant (that also happens to serve the pancakes my kids love).
Iced coffees to-go with a friend, treats for the kids, and a long stroller walk around a pretty lake.
A trip to the zoo, with lunch packed to-go from my favorite little sandwich spot to enjoy at the beach after.
A cozy quiet time: picking a day to sit and read snuggled on the couch while my oldest listens to an audiobook and my youngest naps… instead of tackling the laundry.

Just little things that are still very toddler-friendly but spark real joy for me too. A little mini-vacation from the constant wiping of counters. Ha!

Anyway… I could keep going, because this is just the tip of the iceberg. I’ve got an easy lunch rotation system, a set-up-for-success night routine, and more. Let me know if those are things you’d like to hear about too! (But in the meantime, here are the basics of how I feed my toddlers without overthinking it. Hope it helps!)

Hopefully these super simple, extremely low-lift things help make your summer feel a little more summery. ☀️