Hello! I can’t believe it’s already the beginning of August. The summer flew by!
I love this link up with Tanya when we share our Prime Purchases for the month.
I’m sure you’ve seen all the “Little Miss” sayings going around, and I feel like I can relate to so many of them, but this one takes the cake:
#amIrightorwhat?!
When I started to organize this post, I did a double take.
Y’all, I swear I went at least two weeks without buying anything from Amazon, but it sure doesn’t seem like it. A few items were bought in June before our Mexico trip, a few after, and then, of course, we’re on a Back to School time crunch, so I made a few purchases over the weekend.
Here are my purchases:
Summer Staples:
Y’all know I love a beach hat. I have a tried and true beach hat that I’ve had a for a few years, but I wanted one that I wouldn’t mind if it got wet and that’s easy to pack. This one fit the bill, and it perfect!
Before vacation, I got a pedicure, and chose Mexico CityMove-Mint as the color. I decided to order it in case I needed a touch up, and it’s officially my summer color!
I’ve shared my love for this cover up last month, and I wore it in blue so much, that I decided to snag it in navy. This cover up is the best.
My lake outfit is brought to you by Amazon. 😂 I’m even wearing my favorite swimsuit from last year under the cover up. Even my sunglasses are from Amazon back in the spring!
Clothes:
I wanted a few clothing options before Mexico and picked up this dress and sleeveless top.
This dress is perfection. It’s perfect to wear and then also easy to wear as a base with a cardigan or sweatshirt. I wore it on vacation a couple of times. Then, I wore it home on the plane with a sweatshirt on top. I know I will wear it to school with a cardigan for sure!
This sleeveless top is great with jeans, white denim or shorts! It has a sheer lining, but I added a tan cami under it to be on the safe side. It ties in the back which is cute.
Hadley needed a “super hero” shirt for camp, and chose this one (women’s sizing), and it was perfect.
Let’s just say that I was definitely influenced with my accessory purchases this month. Landyn shared this watch band, and Amy shared these headbands.
I never have been one to change my watch bands, so it was time for a new one. I love that this one allows for the watch to just slip on your wrist, and there are many color options.
These headbands are just what I needed, especially for day 3 hair! 😂 I decided to get the three pack, and I love them all. I’ve worn them all day a few times without any issues.
Am I a headband person now or what?! 😆
Few more faves:
Ok, I’ve shared before that my only Homer “regret” is not reading the fine print on his fur length. He’s a shedding machine. We’ve had him now for three years, and through the years, I’ve bought a hand held vacuum and a super heavy duty tape roller to try to control the hair situation, especially on our couch and blankets. Jenn shared this on stories, and it’s the best answer I’ve had so far to collecting hair. Better yet, you just empty the roll after each use…no sticky tape or batteries required. I’ve been using it for a month, and it’s helped so much. I now see why it was has over 116,000 reviews!
Travis wanted a smaller tumbler for water (beer) before Mexico. My Gma needed a birthday gift idea for him, and he suggested this 20oz tumbler as an idea. He’s used it so much, and took it to both Mexico (to keep his cervezas cold) and KC this summer (to beat the heat and drink water). It comes in a variety of colors.
We’ve belonged to our pool for five years, and I’ve never purchased chair clips to secure our towels. Before vacation, Travis suggested getting some to take in our pool bag. I saw these straps, and they were perfect (& easy to pack!)
Back to school
I’m prepping for our Back to School Brinner. While I tend to use the same supplies, I wanted to add a few more decorations to the kitchen and the table.
I picked up these table decorations too. I just thought they’d be a fun edition.
Every year, I buy the kids books that usually have the upcoming grade in the title. That’s been a little more difficult in middle school but I found a couple books I think both kids will like. Also, they both appear to be books in a series, so if they like them, I can buy other books in the series later.
Lastly, Hadley needed a new back pack. My kids seem to be on an every 2-3 year back pack rotation (Hayden got a new one last year). She chose this one, and I told her it should last her until college!
Shew! So many things, but Amazon sure is the place to go for vacay, back to school and all the things in between.
What have you been Priming lately?
{This post contains Amazon affiliate links…Thank you for supporting my blog!}
Womp. Womp. This is my last Monday of the summer with no school. This time next week, I will be sitting in meetings and preparing for the first day of school. I’m going to make the most of this week with a few last minute errands, crossing off our “back to school” list items, and hopefully pool/reading/tv time to round out the summer.
While we were in KC for my Gma’s 90th birthday, we had family photos taken on my mom’s side of the family.
Rachel has taken some of my favorite photos. She was our wedding photographer…
…and then took the kids photos when they were 4 months old…
…and their first birthday photos …
It was so great to see her again after so many years. If you are in the KC area, I HIGHLY recommend her!
I joked that this was forced family fun, and I think we got every combo of photo imaginable! The high temp that day was going to be 100+, so we met at 9:30 for these photos. While I’m always sad to think about how big my kids are getting, I will say some things are easier…like taking photos. We took all of these in about an hour!
This photo was our #1 goal:
…but then we got so many more!
The great grand kids with Gma:
Gma and her daughters (my aunt and my mom)
Gma with the grand kids (+spouses) and great grand kids.
The ladies!
My mom with her kids and grand kids.
The grand kids! I love this photo.
Then, my family and my brother’s family…
My family (these turned out so great!)
It’s been a long time since we’ve had photos taken in the summer, and I love that we are all tan and look relaxed. haha!
My kids! Getting so big…
Hadley:
Hayden:
(I think y’all know that Hayden isn’t big on having his photo taken. He was still sitting on this box after a group shot, and Rachel just had him look up and smile! Easy peasy! We tricked him!)
Hadley is easier to smile for the camera.
The last time Rachel took our photo was 2005! Love life with T-rav.
My brother’s family:
Then, my brother said we should take a sibling pic back to back. He’s so funny.
Happy 90th birthday, Gma! She’s the reason I love to play Solitaire (cards!), bake cookies at Christmas, and enjoy a good day on the lake! She’s a gem.
Even I’m not big on having my photo taken, but I’m so glad we had these photos taken.
We spent a few days in Kansas City visiting family last week followed by a couple of days at the Lake of the Ozarks with friends before getting back to Lex late Tuesday night.
Today, I’m recapping our trip…
…and linking up with Andrea and Erika for Friday Favorites because of course a KC and lake trip include lots of favorites.
We try to get to KC every summer, but we were intentional about doing so this year in order to celebrate my Gma’s 90th birthday!
Last Wednesday was our travel day. It’s about a nine hour drive from Lex to KC. Times really have changed now that the kids are older…that drive sure is easier!
Once we got to KC, we went to my dad’s house and met up with my brother’s family who had also travelled from Lexington. We had tacos for dinner and then went to my mom’s for a few hours. We were in bed by 10:00 after a long day of travel.
Thursday we had a slow morning. Hayden’s been training all summer for cross country season. With the heat indices over 100 for our entire visit, he had to get up early to get his workouts in. I will give him credit….he did so every morning we were in KC with no complaints. I did a workout using the Beachbody app (another reason I love it!). We got ready, and then met my mom and Gma for lunch.
In order to beat the heat, we took the kids putt putt golfing which was fun.
After putt putt, we went to Rally House to pick up some KC Royals gear for the game the next day. Hayden had outgrown his last KC hat, and I couldn’t find mine…we all had luck picking something out.
Later in the evening, we went to my mom’s friend’s backyard pool. He always lets us come over when we visit, and the pool is a great spot to cool off!
Piggy backing at he pool is apparently all the rage, and my brother wins for most fun (and strongest?) uncle.
We had a late dinner and then headed to bed.
Friday morning we were up early for family photos. With 103 degree highs that day, we knew we needed pics early, so we wouldn’t melt.
Here’s a sneak peek:
The photos turned out so good. The photographer was the same one who took our wedding photos as well as the kids when they were babies. I will share more next week 🙂
After the photos, we all went out to brunch. Then, we went to my mom’s house for a couple of hours. We had pizza at my dad’s before heading to the Royals game.
Of course, we are “crazy” for going to the game in that heat and the Royals aren’t having the best season, but it was still fun to do. We knew since it was a night game, it wouldn’t be too bad…and it wasn’t. It was definitely humid, but that’s better than being hot.
I joked that Travis purchases tickets based off the price of beer in a stadium and the team’s record…haha The $12 seats were all we needed.
Hayden and Travis walked around before the game started, and Hayden was pumped because he got Bobby Witt Jr.’s autograph on his new hat!
During the 4th inning, Hadley joined the younger cousins at the “Little K” where they met Sluggerrr and rode a couple of rides.
On the way back to our seats, Hadley got this pic of the sunset. So pretty!
Unfortunately, the Royals lost, but we were all still smiling…
…because it was Firework Friday after the game.
These fireworks were spectacular!
Definitely worth more than the $12 ticket price!
It was past 11:00 when we got home, so we showered and hit the hay!
Saturday was our hottest day in KC! The heat index was above 106! That being said, we had a slow morning, and then Travis and I went to see Where the Crawdads Sing while the kids hung out at my mom’s house.
I loved the movie as much as the book. Travis really enjoyed it too!
Then, we went to celebrate Gma’s birthday with dinner and dessert. She had over a week of birthday festivities which included a happy birthday yard sign from my mom and aunt, lunch and cards with her Bridge group, dinner out at a Mexican restaurant (she sent me a photo of her wearing a sombrero and having churros for dessert) with neighbors, and then my mom and aunt organized for many friends and family near and far to send her cards for her birthday. Then, of course, she celebrated with us!
On Sunday, we were headed to the Lake of the Ozarks to meet friends, but we were able to have a slow morning and then go to Whataburger with my mom for lunch. My mom has been there, but we all were excited to try it. Patrick Mahomes owns a couple of them, so Hayden asked me to let Patrick know (via Instagram) that Hayden approved of the burger. It really was a good meal.
Then, it was time to say goodbye to our family which is always tough. We’re always sad to leave.
Then, we drove the 2.5 hours to the lake! My college friend’s family has a condo on the lake near the dam. I grew up going to the Lake of the Ozarks with my grandparents, and have so many fond memories. I don’t think I’ve been back there in 20 years!
This was our view from the bedroom:
We all got changed, and got on the boat for a few hours.
Leslie and I were neighbors in Jones Hall at MU and have been friends ever since.
Her son just turned 12, and her daughters are just a couple of years younger. The kids had lots of fun together.
The kids all took (many) turns tubing.
We all swam and floated in the lake a bit…
…before the boat ride back to the condo.
The sun was setting as we parked the boat, and the air temp was definitely cooling off with rain on the way.
Since it was about 8:00, we had pizza for dinner and were in bed around 10.
It rained overnight, and we took it easy on Monday morning. The slow paced morning with cooler temps was amazing.
Leslie and I went for walk, and then we went to check on the guys who were fishing off the dock.
Around 1:00 we got on the boat, and went to Dock Knockers for lunch. There’s nothing better than lunch on the lake.
The kids fed the fish…
…and then we had lunch.
After that, we spent the next few hours on the boat.
Everyone took turns tubing, and then it was the moms’ turn! We held on for dear life, and had lots of fun.
After we were finished tubing, we noticed smoke coming off a nearby boat…and then we saw people jumping in the water! We motored over there, and a couple other boats were helping out. Thankfully, all was ok, but that was a sight to see!
We pulled over into a nearby cove, and swam for a bit before heading back to the condo.
We grilled out for dinner and then played the Disney version of Apples to Apples. It was a great way to cap off the day.
On Tuesday morning, the plan was for the guys to go fishing before we headed back to Lex. Even though it was raining, they did get up early….so early that I didn’t even hear them get up. I got up around 8:30 and enjoyed another cup of coffee on the screened in porch. We went from 106 degrees on Saturday to 66 on Tuesday morning. It was bliss.
The rain was coming down pretty hard, so the guys came back early from fishing. Everyone had breakfast, and we packed up. We said our goodbyes and were on the road around 10:30.
We really enjoyed our time at the lake and appreciate our friends for being such gracious hosts!
As the kids get older and get busier, sometimes it’s more difficult to get back home. When we do, I love that we are able to do things that I enjoyed doing when I was growing up like go to Royals games, and going the lake was the icing on the cake.
I hope you have a great weekend! Next week is August. I have a love/hate relationship with August. haha
Hello! How has your week been? We got back from Missouri late Tuesday, so I’ve been trying to get us back on track with all the things…unpacking, groceries, errands, and more.
I can’t believe it’s the end of the month already, so I’m linking up with Holly and Patty for Monthly Musings.
This month’s topic:
I can’t believe it but we have less than two weeks left of summer break before school starts! I’m definitely savoring these days for sure! Here’s a peek at Back to School Prep.
1. How do you get organized for the school year?
The last couple of weeks of July, I start tackling the last items on my summer “to do list” and then I really start thinking about the school year on August 1. At that point, I’ve made appointments for back to school haircuts, and we have the supply list for back to school shopping. Also, I go to my classroom and get unpacked for the year. Once that task is completed, I feel like I can savor the rest of my summer at home.
2. Favorite places to shop for back to school clothes?
Well, that used to be Target, but as the kids have gotten older, their taste has changed.
This made me laugh:
Also, I’ve always just bought one new outfit for them to wear on the first day along with new tennis shoes. Hayden usually doesn’t want anything new, so often times he just shops his own closet whereas Hadley and I may visit the mall or find something on Amazon.
3. Do you meal plan? Favorite back to school meals?
This summer, I’ve been pretty relaxed with meal planning which is a summer perk for sure! I will definitely get back to meal planning as school begins because I will have to maximize my time as much as possible.
We (maybe mostly me!) look forward to our Back to School Brinner. When the kids were in K-5th grade, I always did Back to School Breakfast, but decided to shift to dinner a day or two before school started because middle school starts later than high school rather than before like during the elementary years.
breakfastbrinner
4. What are your kids favorite things about going back to school?
I asked, and both kids had similar responses. Both are excited about getting their schedules and seeing what friends they have in their classes.
Honestly, I thought Hayden would say “nothing,” so I will take that as a win.
5. Best place for school supplies?
I very rarely go to Walmart, but they do seem to have the best prices on school supplies. We usually start there and then check Target or Amazon for anything else that is missing.
6. Any first day of school traditions?
Besides the breakfast or brinner, I always buy the kids a book to start the year. I usually get lucky and find books with the grade level they are going in. Also, we always have a back to school photo!
7. Best lunchbox tip?
Pack the night before…which we almost never do! That has to change this year! I need to pack the night before too!
8. Buy lunch? Bring lunch? Both?
In elementary school, the kids went through phases of wanting to take their lunch or buy their lunch. Last year, Hayden bought his lunch every day, and Hadley took her lunch every day. I pack a lunch every day too.
9. Does school start before or after Labor Day?
TOO SOON! I swear it feels even earlier this year. Our first day is August 10. (And, it usually is the second Wednesday in August, but it still feels too early)
I hate to say it, but “when I was a kid..,” our summer was Memorial Day to Labor Day, and I think that’s how it should be.
When we were visiting family in KC, I heard all their back to school dates on the news…and school districts can’t start until nine days before Labor Day to help with tourism in August. I feel like that’s a great idea!
10. Best money saving tips for back to school?
I always feel like all I’m doing is spending money in August. From new shoes to school supplies to school fees, and more it just feels never-ending. I do try to space out spending as much as possible. Also, school supplies will never be cheaper than they are in July/August so stock up while you can.
It’s always good to get back in a routine with the start of school, but I also always cling to summer! Time is just flying by too quickly.
Well, nothing makes me happier than the fact that I have been able to get back on track with my reading. This month, I was able to read six books due to a bit more downtime and vacation time. They were all so different, but I would recommend them all!
This month I read…
{As always, book summaries are from Goodreads…}
The Sweet Taste of Muscadines:
Summary:
A woman returns to her small southern hometown in the wake of her mother’s sudden death–only to find the past upended by stunning family secrets–in this intimate debut novel, written with deep compassion and sharp wit.
Lila Bruce Breedlove never quite felt at home in Wesleyan, Georgia, especially after her father’s untimely demise when she was a child. Both Lila and her brother, Henry, fled north after high school, establishing fulfilling lives of their own. In contrast, their younger sister, Abigail, opted to remain behind to dote on their domineering, larger-than-life mother, Geneva. Yet despite their independence, Lila and Henry know deep down that they’ve never quite reckoned with their upbringing.
When their elderly mother dies suddenly and suspiciously in the muscadine arbor behind the family estate, Lila and Henry return to the town that essentially raised them. But as they uncover more about Geneva’s death, shocking truths are revealed that overturn the family’s history as they know it, sending the pair on an extraordinary journey to chase a truth that will dramatically alter the course of their lives. The Sweet Taste of Muscadines reminds us all that true love never dies.
Quick Thoughts:
I’d been on the library wait list for quite a while, so I downloaded this as soon as it became available.
This book caught my attention on the first page. It’s beautifully written; the setting in the south coupled with the description of Wesleyan allowed the words to flow on the page. The family dynamic of Lila and her sister and brother was also interesting to me. The sadness and uncertainty of their mother’s death brought them together but showed how people respond differently in times of sadness. There’s also some suspense and family secrets too. I loved how this book ended.
Favorite Quotes:
Truth, like beauty, reveals itself as you notice it; the more you see, the more you see.
Maybe your home is more something you carry inside you than the ground on which you stand.
Rating:
4.5 stars
One Italian Summer:
Summary:
When Katy’s mother dies, she is left reeling. Carol wasn’t just Katy’s mom, but her best friend and first phone call. She had all the answers and now, when Katy needs her the most, she is gone. To make matters worse, their planned mother-daughter trip of a lifetime looms: two weeks in Positano, the magical town Carol spent the summer right before she met Katy’s father. Katy has been waiting years for Carol to take her, and now she is faced with embarking on the adventure alone.
But as soon as she steps foot on the Amalfi Coast, Katy begins to feel her mother’s spirit. Buoyed by the stunning waters, beautiful cliffsides, delightful residents, and, of course, delectable food, Katy feels herself coming back to life.
And then Carol appears—in the flesh, healthy, sun-tanned, and thirty years old. Katy doesn’t understand what is happening, or how—all she can focus on is that she has somehow, impossibly, gotten her mother back. Over the course of one Italian summer, Katy gets to know Carol, not as her mother, but as the young woman before her. She is not exactly who Katy imagined she might be, however, and soon Katy must reconcile the mother who knew everything with the young woman who does not yet have a clue.
Quick Thoughts:
I love The Dinner List and In Five Years, so I had hoped that I would enjoy this one too! Newsflash: I did. Like her other books, this one tugged at my heartstrings a bit. There were definitely a couple of twists and turns that made me stop and re-read to keep up with the plot, but I really did love this book. I actually finished this book on the plane on the way to Mexico, and it was a great way to start my vacay reading.
Rating:
Meant to Be:
Summary:
The Kingsley family is practically American royalty, beloved for their military heroics, political service, and unmatched elegance. When Joseph S. Kingsley III is born in 1960, he inherits the weight of that legacy. Growing up with all the Kingsley looks and charisma, Joe should have no problem taking up the mantle after his father’s untimely death. But he is also a little bit reckless, and can’t seem to figure out how to channel the expectations of an entire country.
No one ever expected anything of Cate, on the other hand. She, too, grew up in a single-parent household—just her and her mom scraping by in their small apartment. As a teenager, though, Cate is discovered for her looks. Modeling may be her only ticket out of the cycle of disappointment that her mother has always inhabited. Before too long, her face is everywhere, though she is always aware that she’d be a pariah in her social circles if anyone knew her true story.
When Joe and Cate’s paths cross, their connection is instant. What remains to be seen is whether their relationship will survive the glare of the spotlight that follows Joe everywhere. And just as they find themselves in the make-or-break moment, the tragedy that seems to run in Joe’s family right alongside all that privilege will repeat itself.
In a beautifully written novel that recaptures a gilded moment in American history, Emily Giffin tells a story of a love that may or may not have the power to transcend circumstances that seem arrayed against it… and the difficulty of finding your way to the place you belong.
Quick Thoughts:
When I saw this book was coming out this summer, I immediately requested it from the library. I also told myself that if I didn’t get the book before vacation, I would buy it. That’s exactly what I did. I love the cover, and I’m happy to have it on my bookshelf!
The plot is loosely based on JFK, Jr.’s life and his romance with Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy which had me excited to read the book. Of course, I had the time to read it since I was on vacation, but I flew through this book. I think I felt like I could read quickly because there were so many similarities to his life that I already knew. To be honest, at one point, I kind of thought it was too much like the real life version, but then I embraced it and kept reading. This book did live up to the hype and is a great, quick read.
Rating:
The Lifeguards:
Summary:
Austin’s Zilker Park neighborhood is a wonderland of greenbelt trails, live music, and moms who drink a few too many margaritas. Whitney, Annette, and Liza have grown thick as thieves as they have raised their children together for fifteen years, believing that they can shelter them their children from an increasingly dangerous world. Their friendship is unbreakable–as safe as the neighborhood where they’ve raised their sweet little boys.
Or so they think.
One night, the three women have been enjoying happy hour when their boys, lifeguards for the summer, come back on bicycles from a late-night dip in their favorite swimming hole. The boys share a secret–news that will shatter the perfect world their mothers have so painstakingly created.
Combining three mothers’ points of view in a powerful narrative tale with commentary from entertaining neighborhood listservs, secret text messages, and police reports, The Lifeguards is both a story about the secrets we tell to protect the ones we love and a riveting novel of suspense filled with half-truths and betrayals, fierce love and complicated friendships, and the loss of innocence on one hot summer night.
Quick Thoughts:
I read The Jetsetters last summer and really enjoyed it. I honestly hadn’t heard of this book, and then someone shared it (I can’t remember who), and I requested it from the library. It was available on Kindle right as we were leaving for vacation.
I loved the idea of the three moms who were all very different, but had a strong friendship. Their boys also were very different, but had a strong friendship. There was just enough action combined with “who done it,” and background that this was a great read that came together nicely in the end.
Rating:
4.5 stars
The Hotel Nantucket:
Summary:
After a tragic fire in 1922 that killed 19-year-old chambermaid, Grace Hadley, The Hotel Nantucket descended from a gilded age gem to a mediocre budget-friendly lodge to inevitably an abandoned eyesore — until it’s purchased and renovated top to bottom by London billionaire, Xavier Darling. Xavier hires Nantucket sweetheart Lizbet Keaton as his general manager, and Lizbet, in turn, pulls together a charismatic, if inexperienced, staff who share the vision of turning the fate of the hotel around. They face challenges in getting along with one another (and with the guests), in overcoming the hotel’s bad reputation, and in surviving the (mostly) harmless shenanigans of Grace Hadley herself — who won’t stop haunting the hotel until her murder is acknowledged.
Filled with the emotional tension and multiple points of view that characterize Elin’s books (The Blue Bistro, Golden Girl) as well as an added touch of historical reality, Hotel Nantucketoffers something for everyone in this summer drama for the ages.
Quick Thoughts:
Again, this was another “book of the summer” that I was hoping to read on vacation. I almost purchased it to take on vacation, but I realized I probably had enough books to read. Well, a couple of days before vacation, it was available at the library.
I started this book on our last full day in Mexico and was also reading The Lifeguards at the same time.
I really loved all of the characters. I was rooting for the hotel to succeed and for Lizbeth’s love life. I did like the multiple points of view and sense of history in the story. This is another EH book with a ghost…which I know is a polarizing topic for readers. Sometimes the bits with Grace felt hokey, but obviously EH knows how to tell a story. I did love the ending and there were definitely a few surprising moments.
Rating:
4.5 stars
This Tender Land:
Summary:
In the summer of 1932, on the banks of Minnesota’s Gilead River, the Lincoln Indian Training School is a pitiless place where Native American children, forcibly separated from their parents, are sent to be educated. It is also home to Odie O’Banion, a lively orphan boy whose exploits constantly earn him the superintendent’s wrath. Odie and his brother, Albert, are the only white faces among the hundreds of Native American children at the school.
After committing a terrible crime, Odie and Albert are forced to flee for their lives along with their best friend, Mose, a mute young man of Sioux heritage. Out of pity, they also take with them a brokenhearted little girl named Emmy. Together, they steal away in a canoe, heading for the mighty Mississippi in search for a place to call home.
Over the course of one unforgettable summer, these four orphan vagabonds journey into the unknown, crossing paths with others who are adrift, from struggling farmers and traveling faith healers to displaced families and lost souls of all kinds. With the feel of a modern classic, This Tender Land is an enthralling, bighearted epic that shows how the magnificent American landscape connects us all, haunts our dreams, and makes us whole.
Quick Thoughts:
I can’t remember where I saw this book title, but again, I had to wait a bit on the library waitlist. This book felt like a mix of Where the Crawdads Sing + Four Winds + The Girls in the Stilt House, and I loved it. It did take me a the first few chapters to get hooked but after the inciting incident, the plot picked up. I loved the characters and the bond that they had together. My English teacher heart loved the nods to The Odyssey which also connected the parts of their journey together. There was suspense and heartache, but also moments of joy and accomplishment. This was a book that wasn’t on my radar and all, but I’m so glad I read it. It could be a top read of 2022.
Rating:
Summer Reading Update:
Of course, I’ve read other books too, but I’ve made a serious dent in my SRL.
Read:Summer Love, The Summer Job, The Summer Getaway, One Italian Summer, The Hotel Nantucket
Just checked out: The Boardwalk Bookshop
On the wait list:Out of the Clear Blue Sky & Under the Southern Sky (the last two titles have been available on Kindle, but I’ve delayed the checkout because I was already reading other books. Hopefully, I can get one more of these read this summer!)
I was behind on my Goodreads Reading Challenge, but now I’m caught up. I hope to have another good reading month because I know once I get back to school, I won’t have as much time to read at first.
Hello! How was your weekend? We had a great one. I will share more about it later in the week.
For now…I can’t even believe it, but it’s the last Monday of the month! That means I’m sharing some of my favorite memes that made me laugh this month.
Let’s get started:
1.
Tough times, y’all!
2.
Whyyyy does it feel like we are living on the surface of the sun? Say a prayer that our a/c hangs on!
3.
Trying to do as a little as possible these last few weeks of summer.
4.
Always the car keys …
5.
Sounds like a good excuse for now…
6.
“Bussin'” is definitely a popular word in our house right now.
7.
I feel like my family is always in front of the silverware drawer or the trash can cabinet when I am cooking or trying to get dinner on the table.
8.
Not really, but this does make me LOL!
9.
Current diet plan:
(Not sure if it shows great restraint or laziness, but after I’ve brushed my teeth and completed my skin care routine, it’s a signal for me to stop eating…and go to bed)
10.
Facts 😩
…and one more because I guess I need to laugh rather than cry about school starting back soon:
Tomorrow, I’m sharing the books I read this month. I was a busy reader, that’s for sure!
Hello! Rice Krispie treats are my favorite, and make me think of being a kid. Growing up, we’d sometimes make Scotcheroos, and I’d completely forgotten about them until recently.
I decided to make a batch last week, and they hit the spot!
Here’s the basic recipe:
Ingredients:
1 c. sugar
1 c. light corn syrup (Karo)
1 c. creamy peanut butter
6 c. Rice Krispies
1 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 c. butterscotch chips
Instructions:
In a large sauce pan, melt sugar and corn syrup. Bring to a slight boil.
Remove from heat and add in peanut butter. Stir.
Add in Rice Krispies. I add in 3 cups, stir, and then add in the remaining 3 cups. Stir to combine.
Put mixture in a greased 9×13 pan. Make sure to spread evenly in the pan.
In a microwaveable bowl, combine the chocolate chips and the butterscotch chips. Microwave 30 seconds at a time until they are melted and smooth. I only had to microwave for less than 2 minutes.
Spread the melted mixture on to the Rice Krispie treats.
I always put them in the fridge for a bit to help the topping to set.
then…ENJOY!
While I can plow through a tray of regular Rice Krispie treats, these are so decadent that I can show some restraint! They are such a sweet treat, and the family approved.
What is your favorite dessert from your childhood?
Hola! I have one more post about Mexico. Post one was all about our first few days, and post two focused on our excursion to Isla Mujeres. Today, I’m wrapping up our last couple of days on vacay.
Thursday:
Before we went to bed on Wednesday night, I deemed Thursday as a lazier day. I just knew we’d need to sleep in a bit and most likely have less activity time just after such a busy day going to Isla Mujeres.
Well, Thursday was also Trav’s birthday!
We started the morning with coffee in the lobby bar.
Then, we hit up the buffet for breakfast with kids.
After breakfast, Travis and I hit the spa. So, one of the “perks” that was included in our “privileged” package was one hour at the spa for each adult. We decided to book our one hour to start off Trav’s birthday.
When we arrived, the sweetest lady escorted us to the locker rooms and gave us a towel. We each put our belongings in the locker and then met up outside of the locker rooms. We had the whole place to ourselves. She then escorted us to the sauna and suggested we stay in there fifteen minutes, but that she’d check on us…and she did. The sauna is not my fave, and I joked I wouldn’t last five minutes. That being said, I got used to it. She checked on us at around ten minutes, and we were good to get out.
Then, she had us dip in the small cold water pool before heading the steam room. Now, we love a steam room! Again, she suggested fifteen minutes, and we did stay in there the whole time. She checked on us a couple of times and added in mint to the steam. It was so nice and relaxing, plus we did have an ocean view.
After we left the steam room, she said we could get our phones and sunglasses if we wanted because we then got to hang out in the infinity pool for the remaining thirty minutes.
It was glorious.
On other days, from the beach, I could see people up in this pool and there definitely were some who were posing by the ledge and having their photos taken. The sweet hostess offered to take our photo…we did not sit and pose on the ledge. 😂
When our time was up, we headed back to the room and then to the beach for a bit. It was pina colada time, obviously!
Then, we split up for lunch. Travis and Hayden wanted burgers and pizza, and Hadley and I hit up the Mexican restaurant again.
After lunch, Hadley got another crepe! (and I had some ice cream)
Then, I went back to the beach for a bit while Travis hung out in the room and the kids swam in our pool.
After that, we got ready for dinner.
We stopped by the boardwalk for a few photos.
Then, while we waited for our table, I took a family’s photo, and they returned the favor. This view was so nice, and I’m glad to have the family photo for the memories.
We went back to the Grille because we enjoyed it so much on Sunday, and we wanted to treat the birthday boy right!
Honestly, I’d raved so much about the sea bass that both Hayden and Travis wanted to try it.
This time, our table was inside which was much cooler, and Hadley and I had a view of the ocean.
We all got dessert, and Travis picked cheesecake for his birthday dessert.
After that, we headed back to the room. Hayden swam a bit, and we all hung out and then went to bed.
Friday:
On our last full day, I had requested Beloved for breakfast. This is the place that had the avocado toast that I loved and the chocolate chip pancakes that the kids loved. Travis usually got eggs and bacon. Both times we had breakfast there, we got the fruit plate to share. There were items on there we were both familiar with with also new to us. Hayden did try the fruit on the left…he said it was “slimy but fruity” haha
Also, while we were there, I mentioned how we never made it there for lunch, so Travis suggested I go there on my own because….he took the kids next door to Planet Hollywood. They left around 11:00 for PH and just walked next door. They checked in at the front desk, paid the visitor’s fee, and got the bracelets for access to activities and meals.
I worked out (elliptical) and then hit the beach.
Once I got to my chair, I looked up and loved my view:
I started one more book:
Then, I did hit up Beloved for a solo lunch.
If this meal doesn’t say “last day at an all inclusive,” then I don’t know what does. I ate all the things. They brought the chips and guac with my drink. I ordered the gnocchi (my fave pasta!) and then couldn’t resist the lemon cake for dessert.
While I was eating, Travis texted me the only pic from their day there and said, “Happy Mother’s Day” 😂
Hayden was excited to try a burger from Guy Fieri’s restaurant.
After lunch, I went back to the beach for an hour or so. Since I knew it would be my last bit of relaxation time at the beach, I enjoyed it.
Then, around 4:30, I went back to the room to start getting organized for our return home on Saturday. I also went ahead and showered and got a bit of a nap in before Travis and the kids got back around 5:30.
They filled me in on the lazy river, slides, and restaurants, but Hadley did say she preferred our hotel. I’m glad we made the right decision.
We had a 7:30 reservation for dinner at the Hibachi place again. We all love hibachi and don’t go often at home, so we thought we’d hit it up again.
Our server was so sweet. He was so patient and gave Hayden a few lessons on using chopsticks. Hayden got the hang of it by the end.
After dinner, we walked around a bit and kids played in the game room for about 30 minutes.
The view of the lobby as we walked back to our room was so pretty.
Per evening tradition, Hayden swam a bit in our pool, and then we were all ready for bed by 10:00.
(By the way, on maybe the third night, I finally read the sign outside on our patio and said pool hours were from 8:00-8:00…I guess that’s the big pools and the private pools. It also explains why I never really saw anyone else in their pools while Hayden splashed around most nights. That being said, Hayden was my only night swimmer, and he was quiet…and never in the pool past 9:30. Truly, it was always so quiet at night by our building which was so great.)
Saturday:
Our flight wasn’t until 3:30 on Saturday, so we didn’t have to be in the lobby for our transportation until 11:30 or 12. While we were ready to head home, it was nice to ease into the day. We slept in, packed up, and then hit the buffet one more time for breakfast (and one last churro!)
Then, we went back to the room and made sure we had everything. We were only in the lobby for a few minutes before the van picked us up. The car ride to the airport was about an hour long.
Once we arrived at the airport and got to the check in, it moved so quickly. They had so many Nexus people scattered throughout the lines that they could look at passports, ask us questions, and keep us moving. Once we checked my bag, we headed through the security lines. That was definitely a bit more hectic, but it was fine. We had about 1.5 hours until the plane left, so we shared some sandwiches, hung out, bought some snacks and got ready to board the flight.
The flight took off on time, and the kids slept off and on most of the way. I did the same along with read my book.
We landed at 7:20, went through customs, waited on my bag, and then finished up in security/customs/bag check. Then, we went out to catch the shuttle to our car. It was probably 8:45 before we reached our car. It was a long travel day, but it went so smoothly. Everything was on time, and we hardly had to wait at any point.
As soon as we got in the car, we decided on Chick-fil-A for dinner #helloAmerica and Hayden asked for a country music station! CFA was probably our biggest delay of the day! It seemed to take forever to get our food. We were back in Lex by 10:30. Everyone was excited to see Homer. We unpacked a bit, showered, and were in bed around 11:30.
Homer got lots of snuggles on Sunday…and then Hadley headed to camp!
Shew! If you made it to the end of post #3, you’re the real MVP. Let me know if you have any questions! I’m happy to answer them…especially while everything is mostly fresh in my mind.
Also, did you see the reels I’ve posted on my Insta page? I decided it would be fun to figure out how to make reels as another way (besides these posts) to remember our trip. Hadley was very impressed with what I created…which is the real stamp of approval. haha I’m posting the third reel today! They were fun to put together.
These last few weeks of summer are kind of hectic (what’s new?). I will still be posting…but maybe just a tad bit more infrequently. We’ll see!
As the bellman said when we checked out, “¡Hasta luego!” When I said, “Adios,” he said that means we’ll never be back…”¡Hasta luego!” is better because it means, “See you later!” I loved wrapping up our trip with that sentiment.
Ahh…Mondays in the summer are the best, and I’m afraid to count how many we have left. No many.
I’m linking up with Holly and Sarah to share about our weekend.
Here’s a peek at the weekend:
Well, Friday was the first day I left the house since Monday. I kind of unintentionally stayed home all day Tuesday just to tackle things around the house, and I had an online PD most of the day. Then…
We seriously can’t catch a break around here. From earlier in the summer when I had Covid and then before our vacation Hadley had strep (again) and the stomach issues…well, on Wednesday, I woke up having what felt like a pretty mild stomach bug along with being really tired. I made it through Wednesday, but hardly slept Wednesday night because then I felt like I had the flu. I never did have a fever, but I was achy, chilled, tired with a headache. I’ve taken a couple of Covid tests and they were negative, so I guess I caught some kind of bug. Thankfully, no one else in my family got it.
Flash forward to Friday, and I needed to (continue to) get caught up on life. Hayden and I stopped by the library for books for everyone….While I’ve done a great job reading this summer, my kids need to hit the 7th grade summer reading list!
Then, Hayden and I headed to the mall because I had an Aerie return. We stopped in a couple of places for him and then got lunch at the food court. Hayden and I had quite a bit of time together this week because Hadley was at camp.
When we got home, I headed to the pool by myself for two hours. I was panicking because I felt my tan fading! 😂
Y’all, I couldn’t resist and bought this Amazon cover up again…I now have it in blue and navy. I wore the blue one so much on vacation, that I knew I’d want it in another color too.
This stage with my kids is both great and bittersweet. They hang with their friends quite a bit in the summer which is wonderful…and then that means that I have time to run errands or read by the pool for a bit. With Hadley gone and Travis at work, Hayden hung out with friends, and I went to the pool solo for a bit.
Then, I came home, showered and headed to Hayden’s basketball game. It was his best game of the season!
Then, we went to a favorite restaurant for dinner with friends.
Then, Travis and I sat on our back patio for a bit before going to bed.
I guess I still needed the rest because I slept until 9:00!
Hadley caught a ride home from camp and headed straight to volleyball camp that was from 9-5.
So, last Saturday, we got home at 10:30 pm from our vacation, and then Sunday morning Travis headed straight to the horse sale. So, I got Hadley ready for camp and drove to and from. I was running on fumes by Sunday evening!
Here she is in her cabin at drop off.
Needless to say, she didn’t miss us one bit. She had the best time. The camp posts photos late every night, so every morning, I searched for photos with her smiling face. We missed her, but I’m happy knowing she’s happy.
When I finally saw her Saturday night after volleyball camp, I asked her if camp was for two weeks would she have stayed, and she said, “yes!”
Next year’s age group is boys and girls combined. I think I need to convince Hayden to go at the same time!
Anyway, while she was at volleyball camp, I did my workout, when to dance team meeting and then had a nail appointment. I usually do gel nails when I get them done, but this is my second round of SNS. I do love that they last longer, but I just hate having to get them soaked off.
When I got home, Trav’s brother was over with his boys, so they were all busy. I was able to read for a few minutes, but Homer was trying to convince me to take a nap! I resisted the urge.
We picked up Hadley up from volleyball camp and headed straight to meet the cousin crew for pizza dinner.
It hit the spot.
Once we got home, I had to tackle all the camp stuff. There’s always lots of laundry and then re-organization of supplies to be ready to roll for next year.
Everyone showered (Hadley went first!), and then I hit the hay early.
Sunday morning, I slept in a bit again. Travis and I had our coffee and watched some shows while the kids slept in. Hadley slept until 10:00, and we had to wake Hayden at 10:30.
We spent most of the day in Louisville with family celebrating my mother-in-law’s birthday.
What were you up to this weekend? Summer seems to be flying by!
Usually on Fridays I link up with Andrea and Erika to share all my favorites from the week, but instead, I’m going continue sharing about our Mexico vacation because it’s certainly a recent favorite for us.
I shared part 1 of our trip yesterday, and today I’m diving in to part 2.
Before we left for our trip, we had a few people tell us that we should ferry to Isla Mujeres, rent a golf cart and tour the island. So, Travis asked the front desk for information, and they actually had that excursion available that could be booked through them. So, Travis went ahead and signed us up for Wednesday. We thought that would be a good activity to break up our pool and beach time. It was $100/person and at first, I wondered if we should just get a cab to the ferry, get a golf cart, and do our own thing. Well, by the end of the day Wednesday, I was glad we paid for the excursion because it was such an amazing experience.
Wednesday:
Since we were to be in the lobby by 8:30, we decided to keep breakfast simple and go to the buffet. After breakfast, we went back to the room to get packed up for the day. I almost put sunscreen, towels, etc. in our beach bag, but then we decided to use both of the kids’ backpacks. That ended up being a great decision because we were on the go so much that day that it was easier to have our belongings on our backs than carrying a beach bag.
I hate sitting around all wet, so I did pack us all an extra swim suit in case we wanted to change at some point during that day. Again, I was glad that I did that.
A van picked us up to take us to the port. There were two other families in the van with us. At the port, all the workers spoke multiple languages. We heard Spanish, English, French, Italian and more! It was so neat.
After we got checked in, we had to wait a bit for the boats to be ready and for everyone to arrive. We chatted with one of the families from our hotel. They were from Canada and were so nice. Their kids were 15 and 19, and we ended up sitting by them on the boat to and from.
I wondered if any of us were the seasick type. We’ve all been on boats on the lake, but I honestly don’t think I’ve ever been on a boat in the ocean. Thankfully, we were all good!
Our boat’s name was Marathon which I thought was a fun name considering Travis and the kids like to run. I’d say there ended up being about six families on board (around 25 people) as well as the captain and four or five crew members.
The kids headed straight to the front of the boat. They were excited to see everything. Once we got moving and there was a breeze, I approved that decision. haha
After only about five minutes of sailing, it was time for the snorkeling. Travis didn’t really give me the details on this…but I put on my life jacket and snorkel and hopped right in the water. Seriously though, it all moved so quickly. The main tour guide told us to jump in and stay with the leader. One of the guys just swam holding a life preserver and we followed along…for probably a half a mile…we just kept swimming!
You didn’t have to snorkel, and some people did stay back on the boat.
I could tell the guide kept looking up to count and make sure he hadn’t lost any of the fifteen of us swimming. Hayden really took to the snorkeling, and if I ever needed to find him, I’d just look for the tour guide because he stuck close to him. We did see so many amazing fish and reefs. Also, towards the end, there was an “underwater museum” that had statues.
The boat had moved to pick us up after our 30 minutes of snorkeling.
Of course, there aren’t snorkeling photos but it was a great experience.
Once we got on the boat, we dried off, and got settled for the 45 minute ride to Isla Mujeres.
The water was stunning, and I probably have thirty photos on my phone that look just like this:
…and this…
The main tour guide was awesome. He was funny and knowledgeable. The other crew members continued to offer drinks and were just so kind and fun.
At one point, the tour guide told us to go stand at the front of the boat and he’d take our photo, and I couldn’t love this photo more.
….and then he told us to put our hands in the air! haha
Once we arrived at the Beach Club, the captain said he’d be back in two hours. Included in the ticket price was access to the beach club. We paid an extra $40 (or $50?) for the golf cart tour. So, those who weren’t doing the tour could hang out at the Beach Club, but otherwise, we followed one of the crew members who got us the golf carts and led the tour.
We drove for a few minutes to our first stop.
…which was stunning.
…another great photo op.
Then, we continued the drive and stopped about ten minutes later at Punta Sur. The tour guide told us we had about 15 minutes here.
So we snapped a few pics, and the kids got ice cream, and I got a coconut drink.
Then, we got back in the golf carts and drove around a bit more. Hadley and I were in the back of the golf cart, and had some of the best views as we continued the tour.
There were so many amazing houses with beautiful views of the ocean. We drove through a cemetery, and then ended the tour driving through parts of the town. We even saw some kids outside playing at school.
Then, we got back to the beach club and had about one hour to eat (the beach club buffet was included) and some beach time.
Hadley’s always up for a photo op!
The kids swam for about thirty minutes, and then it was time to get back on the boat.
Once we were settled on the boat, we had about a twenty minute drive to North Beach which apparently is the best part of the island. As we sailed there, the guide pointed out Ricky Martin’s house…or so he said!
We arrived at North Beach at 2:30, and had two hours at that stop. We all disembarked, and at first it was a bit hectic with all the people and shops. Our ticket included tequila tasting at the city center but we didn’t do that.
We walked a few blocks to a less crowded area of the beach. Again, the water was just so pretty and actually cool.
The water by our resort was warmer, and this Caribbean water was refreshing.
After about an hour in the water, we were hungry. Travis said he’d walk a bit to see if there was a good spot to get something quick to eat. Well, right in front of where we’d put our towels was the Playa Norte Beach Club. I laughed because only we would put our towels right in front of a beach club. #bouji
Anyway, we dried off and had about thirty minutes to get a drink and something to eat. Since we were on a time crunch, we just stuck with chips, salsa, and guac since that would be quick. It was so good.
Since we had to walk back to the boat and weren’t completely dry, Hadley and I changed our swimsuits, so I was glad I had the extra suit to wear under my cover up. Just more comfortable for the ride home.
We went back to the dock and boarded the boat for the ride back to port. It was about an hour, and it was so nice out. There were clouds, so we caught a break from the sun…and the kids even fell asleep!
We chatted with another family from Canada. They had two teenage girls, and were super nice. They told us they were staying at Planet Hollywood which was right next door to our resort. Travis had thought about taking the kids to another resort one day to do slides and other activities. They were so helpful with info about Planet Hollywood that Travis did end up taking the kids there on Friday.
Once we got back to the dock, we only had to wait a few minutes for our ride.
Once we got back, it was probably 6:00, and we took about an hour to cool off and swim in our pool and take turns showering.
We were tired but just kept chugging along. We were afraid if we napped, we’d never get up for dinner. haha
We decided to go to Beloved for dinner, and I couldn’t get over the sunset photos as we walked past the pools.
Then, as we arrived at the restaurant, this view stopped me in my tracks:
(and it’s now the screensaver on my phone!)
We got settled on the patio as the sun continued to set.
Hadley was excited to order the salmon (her fave) and I ordered the risotto. Both were so good. I can’t remember what Travis and Hayden ordered.
Unfortunately, while the view was pretty, for some reason, we were eaten alive and left with bug bites that lasted for days!
After dinner, we headed back to our room. It had been a wonderful but long day. We were ready for bed!
I’m so glad we took the trip to Isla Mujeres. I have a couple of friends who have said they stayed on the island on their trips to Mexico. If we ever get back, maybe we will have to look into that!
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