It’s summer!!! And whether your kids are bouncing between camps, off to playdates you’re driving them to, or chilling at daycare, the season has its own kind of beautiful chaos! So let’s talk about a simple, joy-filled guide to your summer, mom (or dad!) style.
1. Morning Mayhem !!
Our summer mornings are equal parts chaos and cozy. I try to wake up a little earlier than Nash to set out breakfast (chug my coffee), it’s my small window of peace before the day really begins. One thing that’s working well for us right now is using the THIS learning tower from Amazon so he can "help" with breakfast. Nash’s current favorite? Plain yogurt with peanut butter, honey, and raspberries. Simple, healthy, but messy.... so choose your own destiny.
2. The “I’m Bored” Kit
I am sure you hear it from your little one(s): “I’m boooored" (or your just bored yourself and need to get out of the house, like me!) Local favorites like the Zoo and MOXI keep the kids engaged for hours. We also just grabbed the best sand toy kit from Costco-a 20-piece wagon playset that’s already a huge hit. (You can even Instacart it here, no judgement, life is crazy!) Pro tip: keep it in the car trunk for beach on a whim.
3. Screens with Intention
One thing we all look forward to is family movie night. It’s become a summer ritual! :) Lately, we’ve been working our way through Toy Story 1–4 on Disney + and not sure who is enjoying it more! These nights are for everyone, no multitasking, no scrolling, just Pixar and cuddles.
4. Summer Snack Stack
Snacks are basically a summer food group. Of course, we can try and make things homemade, but I’m all for smart shortcuts. I use the Yuka app to scan store-bought snacks from Sprouts or Trader Joe’s and find the healthiest ones without reading every label. Favorites rotate weekly: THESE fruit snacks, mini hummus packs, and of course fruit pouches (THESE are great!).
5. An Easy Bucket List!
Instead of over-planning, let's talk about a few simple summer bucket list activities: 1) A bike ride to Shoreline Beach Café, where the kids can dig in the sand while we relax in the Adirondack chairs and a margarita ~dreamy~. 2) Backyard water balloon wars are also a must, especially with our favorite refillable water balloons we found on Amazon. 3) Make your own popsicles using THIS Amazon "Popsicle Mould." 4) Camping in your backyard and watch the stars at night!
Enjoy the chaos!! See you around Santa Barbara!
~Mckenzie
