Summer Fun for Kids

Hello friends!

Hope you're having a good week.

I am enjoying some much needed R&R these first few days off.

As previously mentioned I am thrilled to be nannying The Cuties again this summer!

I start next week and have been searching for fun activities we can do.

Being that several readers are mamas, or nannies themselves, I thought it would be fun to share some of the activities I've found.

The Cuties read my blog and we always start the summer making a list of things we want to do, so hopefully some of these will strike their fancy.  Being real, though, Cutie A is almost 12 now and Cutie B is 9, so most of my time will likely be spent serving as their summer taxi driver!

Totally Tubular Glitter Bracelets

Ping Pong Water Gun Shoot

DIY Magnetic Silly Putty

Homemade Ice Cream in a Bag

Making Rain Clouds

Sidewalk Chalk Paint

Marshmallow Catapult

Cartesian Diver

Sponge Bullseye

Minute to Win It: This Blows!

Film Canister Rockets

Marble Launch

You can read about some of our past adventures here, here, and here!

What are some of your favorite summer activities with kiddos?

Have a great day!

#oddsareiam Favorites Week 2

Hello friends!

I am officially on summer break!

WOOHOO!!

Last week was a bit crazy, so I only got around to posting once, but I am excited to jump right back in today.

Being that things were so hectic, I never got around to posting my #oddsareiam favorites from Week 2. I'm therefore sharing them with you today, and pre-dating this post to Friday so that I can get back on track with my posts!  I have a lot to share with y'all in the next week or so!

This photo challenge with Catherine of the blog, Spring In My Step continues to be so much fun.  I love seeing all the great entries on Instagram!

I have to admit, I wouldn't typically post one of my own pics as a favorite, however the fact that this was posted on the last day of school, makes it an exception!

Schoooool's out for SUMMER...#oddsareiam celebrating!

A few Sunday afternoon projects with Dad. #diy #staining #projects #oddsareiam

Making herself at home at #MoonandLola in Apex. Future shopper. #oddsareiam going to be broke. LOL.

#oddsareiam spending the evening organizing my summer. Lists are already being made in my #maydesigns for my 25th #birthday bash, #4thofJuly in CT, and a trip to visit my super sister in #Nashville!

#oddsareiam loving our new playground nearby!

So much summer fun!  Remember it's not too late to play along--just post your summery pics on Instagram with hashtag #oddsareiam on all the odd days in June!

Have a great day!

Sur La Table Italian Summer Romance

Happy Tuesday chickies!

I have felt so detached from the blog world these last few weeks.  Any of my teacher readers can relate. The last few weeks are always the busiest.  It has been tough even finding the time to write my posts, much less read all of yours; that should all change come Friday, however!

Today I wanted to share a date night that Bryce and I had this past weekend.  We had talked about taking a cooking class at Sur La Table and I finally decided to just bite the bullet and sign us up for one.

I thought it would be fun to make it a surprise for Bryce so he had no clue where we were going.  In fact, he thought I was taking him to dinner and a movie at Cinebistro, which just so happens to be at the same mall as Sur La Table.  It worked out perfectly, because I even parked by Cinebistro initially to trick him more.  Once I pulled around to Sur La Table, however, he quickly figured it out.

The theme for the dinner was "Italian Summer Romance" which was right up our alley!

The menu consisted of: seared scallops with roasted tomatoes and prosciutto, pork medallions with artichoke and olive caponata, roasted cauliflower with a lemon garlic vinaigrette, and finally chocolate gelato with balsamic strawberries for dessert!

Our chef Brian was a character and had us laughing the whole time!

"Hulling" the strawberries (aka, removing the stems).

Vinaigrette Ingredients

Bryce cooked our table's scallops perfectly! We learned the trick to great scallops is to allow them to reach room temperature before cooking!

Delicious would be an understatement...these scallops (as well as the rest of the meal) were AMAZING!

Caponata brewing in the Le Creuset Dutch Oven...if you don't have one of these, buy one- NOW! I'm particularly fond of this one!

Presentation & Plating is key.

Deeelish!

O.M.G.

The gelato and strawberries were incredible!

As you can clearly see, it was a really fun night!  We already are discussing signing up for another class soon.

I will also have to share some of the recipes with you!

Have you ever taken a cooking class before?

What are some creative date night ideas you've done before?

Have a great day!

#oddsareiam Favorites Week 1

Happy Friday readers!

This time next week I will be just hours away from summer break!  Woohoo!!!

I am so excited for the start of my #oddsareiam Photo Challenge with Catherine of the blog, Spring In My Step.  We have had lots of great entries on Instagram and I thought it would be fun today to share some of my favorites!

 

#oddsareiam enjoying my first (and last) Maryland crabs of the summer!

 

#oddsareiam thankful for my Mimi on her birthday!

 

If I'm going to be stuck inside so much this summer, #oddsareiam going to brighten things up with some neon #LillyPulitzer and my favorite summer shoes #JackRogers

 

#oddsareiam on the lake in my bright purple kayak.

 

#oddsareiam laughing at Abby's first experience with lipgloss.  Less is more baby girl!!

 

Target run with my main squeeze! #oddsareiam

 

Another fun day at the #pool. #oddsareiam

Thank you so much to those friends who have been playing along so far!  

It's not too late to join in on the fun--just post your summer pictures on Instagram during the odd days in June.  Be sure to hashtag #oddsareiam!

Have a great weekend!

Eve's Apple MARKDOWNS!

Hi friends...happy hump day!

Yesterday morning, I got an Eve's Apple email in my inbox that I couldn't resist sharing with you. They have added tons (and I mean TONS) of new markdowns to their site, some discounted as much as 75%.

Y'all will remember Eve's Apple from this post where I first shared my discovery of the site!

I found a favorite Alice & Trixie dress on their site, in the markdown section no less.

Since then, every time I get an email announcing new markdowns I get a little giddy.  I am really hoping this, and this, and this will get marked down soon!

Until then, here are some of my favorite markdowns!  Sizes are limited, so scoop things up while you can and feel free to peruse.  (FYI, there's lots  of TB to be found at fab prices, my friends!)

And, just a reminder:  Don't forget about my #oddsareiam Photo Challenge with Catherine of Spring In My Step!  Be sure to hashtag #oddsareiam in all your summer Instagram pics on odd days in June!  I'll be sharing some of my favorites so far on Friday and yours just might be picked!