Summer Lovin'

I basically think summer will be full of down-time ... and that's just not the case! Sure, there are days spent at home, but the R&R is hard to come by. While alone time is HARD to find, I do love my days spent at home with my two, even when the arguing seems constant, my guidance and instructions are basically me just listening to myself talk, and the tired, worn out mom shows through... I remember how blessed I truly am. Sure, some days I can't wait for Ryan to walk through the door to then become the tackle magnet, or I crave to go to the grocery store

ALONE (... I pray this is all normal... ) and then I remember who I have been entrusted, who's I am, and how I fail... every.single.day. to be the mom that my kids need, BUT thankfully my God gives me grace and the encouragement to know that HE can fill the gaps. Amen? Amen.


Here's a little of what has gone on after my last summer post!

More lake days!

 Summer dance camps with friends!

Trips home to see my parents (and this photo was featured on the MJ site! Scroll down on their homepage under the instagram heading!)

https://www.matildajaneclothing.com 

Father's Day

Picked veggies at the farm.

and played in the creek and skipped rocks

Basketball camp for B!

I finished up my summer baton classes at the rec... and I already miss these girls!

And we've crashed our fair share of pools this summer. :)

We were given chickens by a sweet friend, and we have been loving their daily gifts!

They laid the first eggs on my birthday!

July 4th!

I just love this picture of HM. 

I love it when we shoot our own fireworks. It reminds me of days spent at my own grandparents house with our family. Laughter filling the air and the fun and excitement only fire and a small audience can bring. 

We've been to McWane.

And choreo for these sweet girls was completed last week! Two of them are seniors that were freshmen the year I started working with them. How time flies!

We've been cheesing for church.

Painted (or found stick-ons!) nails!

And baking goods with our fresh eggs.

And hanging with the best buds.

Just yesterday we traveled to Birmingham on a mission for B to get his first guitar! He is so excited about starting lessons! (Thank you Ree!)

and we also crossed off a major summer bucket item for HM while we were near the galleria!

It's hard to believe that school is two weeks away!

Friday Favorites- I'm still here edition

That's right- I'm alive, and linking up with Andrea, Narci, and Erica for Friday Favorites!

I had intended to take off a few days after all the end of school activities to get our summer rolling, BUT not two weeks! About a week or so ago, my computer (that is practically brand new!) crashed... in a big way-like not even the Apple geniuses could fix it. Thankfully this baby was still under warranty and a new hard drive was installed. We are now back in business (and way overdue for some updates!) I will try to catch up on the BIG things like Burke's graduation post next week! In the meantime- here are our FAVORITES this week!

Finishing up mini-camp with these fabulous ladies!

We had such an awesome mini-camp weekend. I will rehash in another post, but they had me at War Eagle. :)

Summer. Summer is just our FAVORITE.

We have been enjoying our nowhere-to-be time clock and treat-yo-self attitude when it comes to breakfast decisions :)

Why yes. We went out at 8am looking like this. 

Kids in pj's-check, HM in cowboy boots-check, plus sassy pose- DOUBLE check. 

Our new doughnut store did not disappoint! As you can see from Burke's quote at the top of the picture. :)

Breaking out the traditional blow-up pool was a FAVORITE for my crew. What is childhood without one?

HM had her first "nastics" class Monday... and with her friend JP too!

They did so good and had so much fun!

Sister had a smile on her face the whole time. I love it!

Summer time with kiddos is also a FAVORITE of mine because it's my chance to bring my teacher game up a notch. During the year, doing more beyond "homework" that comes home is tough, so I plug in some fun and helpful games that review skills they will need to start their school year during the summer in an intentional way.

They look forward to whatever "school" activity I have planned! No boring flashcards allowed.

I plan to share some of the fun we have done soon!

Meanwhile, this ^ was a FAVORITE I can share really quickly!

Here's what I posted on insta!

You can use this fun little water activity to review a TON of skills. I plan to use it today with math!

Fresh veggies and grilled chicken is my FAVORITE when I can muster up the desire to cook! Ha!

Also, after a little family tennis night, where I put HM's hair in double piggy knots, I took it down and THIS was what happened! I am seriously going to try this with my own hair. ha! It was gorgeous body and curls for the win and NO heat or products! I need to test this method and perfect it, because how awesome would it be to just sleep on twisted up hair and be fabulous?! FAVORITE!

And maybe the most FAVORITE of mine this week is seeing my sweet friend, Heather, ring the bell that signals her completion of 20 radiation treatments. This lady is SO STRONG and now is in the waiting process before a scan to show the results. Please be with me in prayer that the cancer is GONE! She believes in God's healing power and claims her healing in HIM every.time.

That's a wrap for this Friday Favorites, have a great weekend!

Friday Favorites

Sorry I slacked yesterday, but I got A LOT of things knocked off my to-do list, like a little blog makeover! :)

Linking up with Andrea, Erika, and Narci for Friday Favorites, and as promised is has everything to do with swimwear!

First up... woman's swimsuits! *Note- these are not paid reviews, they are just some we have bought with our own $$ and loved!

I found these cute mother daughter matching suits at PatPat.com! I had never ordered from them before, but was pleasantly surprised! They fit true to size and great quality for a price you can't beat (Think 20$ or less for each suit)! I have on a size small and HM has on a size 3.

They have a ton more super cute options! Sister asked if I had swimsuits to match every day after, so I think we will have to do more of this while she will let me. Ha! You should try them out... and before Mother's Day because if you use the code Mother10 at checkout you get an additional 10% off!

Here are some other favs I have from the website! (You should be able to click on the pictures and it take you directly to the swimsuit!)

(Sorry this is so small! hahaha)

Next up, THIS Kennith Cole suit!

Y'all, I found this one for 29$ at our new TJ Maxx! It is soooo cute and comfortable. I have found as a momma, I love a high neck bathing suit and this one basically fits like a sports bra so it won my heart immediately. You will need to size up in this one, because it has a shorter torso! I had the small on in the dressing room and was drooling over the neckline, but it just wasn't fitting right. I sized up, and BAM! So cute and comfy!

If white scares you, it comes in so many colors!

I found it HERE on the Kennith Cole website in black (use May30 for 30% off!!!), and on Amazon! (2 day shipping and free returns- YAASSS!)

My exact one below!

And this navy!!!! I'm a sucker for navy. every. day.

And last, but not least, Target is a go to for a last minute suit! You totally can't see the one below, but it's one I bought last year that will you will still be seeing this summer because it meets all of my qualifications! Covering. Flattering. High neck.- check, check, check!

To my surprise Target still has the exact suit online!

HERE

The laser cut neckline is unique and so flattering!

As for HM's suits, you already saw the PatPat two piece HERE.

 But one brand I'm loving for sweet swimwear is the Sweethoney brand!

I wish this came in my size! ha!

She's in a size 2 and it fits perfectly with a little room to grow.

This brand is tricky though! They have a "weekly drop" on Wednesdays at noon. It sells out FAST, so if you have your eye on a particular size and style, you have to make sure you are sitting on go at 12pm on Wednesday! However, there are still some sweet styles left in the swim department, and some in the style shown on HM!

This one is called the Mary one-piece in Boardwalk!

And this one! (all the heart eyes!)

The only sizes that are left are in 6m and 18mths. I really wanted one similar in style to this for HM! I love how cute while conservative it is, all while being a two piece! We will be on the lookout for this next year for sure!

As for the boys... 

I had them matching too!

Target pulled through here!

I could not find the color block shorts that Ryan has on, but I loved this pair as well!

Luckily, I found Burke a similar pair to match the same day I was doing their swim shopping!

These are Burke's exact trunks!

I also found this set at Walmart y'all!

This is a similar (if not the same) one! And for 6$ you can't beat it.

 Gone are my days of little gingham check smocked palate swim trunks, but these price tags help make it OKAY! :) Why do boys things get cheaper and girls get more expensive????

That's all I have time for on this FRIDAY FAVORITES- SWIMWEAR EDITION. 

I hope this helps someone complete their swimsuit hunt, because the good Lord knows it's not easy!

Have a wonderful weekend and Happy Mother's Day to our mommas! We are so blessed to have them in our lives! I can't wait to recap this special weekend on Monday. 

xoxoxo