Summer Outline

I'm chuckling to myself writing this because I go all gung-ho with these 'ideal summer days' and then about 2 days in my kids are over it and I'm not interested in pushing them. so know this is my modified {hopefully more realistic} summer outline! 

Of note :: The kids are 14 {going into 9th} & 13 {going into 8th grade}

Mornings
I'm sure the kids will sleep in until 10-11a.  This is something I'm always okay with in the summer.  I like to keep summers fun & for my teenagers, staying up until midnight and sleeping is a highlight.  

I would like to start my work days between 7-8am.  This will give me uninterrupted time to get my bigger 'must do's' done for the day. Tuesdays and Thursdays I train with my trainer from 7-8a, so those days I won't be able to start work until closer to 9a.

Lunch
I'm tying something new this summer and having the kids make lunch.  They're at the age where they should really be able to master easy cooking {I use that term loosely as I imagine lunches being boxed macaroni, grilled cheeses, quesadillas, etc.} skills independently.

Afternoons
If they haven't already done their daily chores {laundry, vacuum, etc.} that are assigned each day, this will be their time to do that.  Once their 'chores' are done, they can basically do whatever -- pool, basketball, fishing, PS5, watch TV, hang with friends, etc.  

Dinner
One night a week they will each need to cover dinner.  New this year, I'm having them go shop for the ingredients needed for the meal.  Luckily for them, we have an e-bike, an Aldi {less than a mile away}, & my card connected to their ApplePay, so it's really a matter of them learning to think ahead to plan for a meal.  I think this will be a valuable life skill for them.  I'm excited for this {I'm also not dumb enough to think either of them will be excited for this -- lol!}

Evenings
Whatever!  It's summer, so hopefully there will be lots of games, sleepovers with friends, etc.

Don't worry -- we have plenty of fun planned this summer, too!

Friday Favorites

 It's the first day of SUMMER BREAK!  I'm not sure if the kids are more excited, or me! 

Painted Nails! {& temporary tattoos!}

I always feel so much more 'pulled together' when my nails are done.  I can't believe it, but these are actually my real nails.  I'm pretty sure this is the longest they have ever been.  I have the WORST nails!

I'm enjoying The New Neighbors, but most of all I'm enjoying that Jordyn has gotten back into reading!  On that note, does anyone have any book recommendations for 14/15 year old girls?

Adam made Ooni Pizza last weekend and that will never not be my favorite!  The kids are always asking Adam to make these pizzas!  I love a good cheese pizza, but my favorite that he makes is a Breakfast Pizza {substitute red sauce for cheese sauce and add ham or bacon and scrambled eggs!}  

Our friends had this floating game board and waterproof cards and we had so much fun playing cards on it this weekend!  We played Golf, but fun fact, the friends we played with called it Baseball.  Do you call it Golf or Baseball?  That sunrise this week is also a favorite!

I have to brag on this kid for a minute.  His work ethic is going to take him so far!  He worked with 2 of his buddies and their dad {their dad owns a construction business} a few weeks ago and their dad said he could come work for him any time.  He said Cullyn worked harder than any of his employees {even including the adult men}.  

He's also been doing odd jobs around the house for some extra money.  The kids have chores they're expected to do {as part of the family, not for money} but I have a few 'extra' jobs available for money.  If they do them on their own accord they get to take the money for the job.  If I have to ask them to do it over the weekend they have to do them for free.

Happy Friday everyone!!

What's Up Wednesday | May

 

1: WHAT WE’RE EATING THIS WEEK:

Monday – Seafood Boil {crab, crawfish, mussels, sausage, corn, shrimp & potatoes} for Memorial Day

Tuesday – Steak & Seafood -- I got this {it was SO GOOD} Seafood is the safest option for the entire family.  We all love it!

Wednesday – Chopped Cheese & Beef Heroes

Thursday – Meatloaves with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

Friday – Cheesy Smashed Pork Burgers

Saturday – Pizza delivery!

Sunday – TBD

**Click here if you want to try Hello Fresh**

I think my affiliate link gives you a free meal if you haven't tried it yet. 

2. WHAT I’M REMINISCING ABOUT:

The month of May -- man it was a good one for us!  
Cullyn's football team played well in the championships {took 3rd}.  Jordyn's club team did great and her school team won the championship!  
Mother's Day was great!  

3: WHAT I’M LOVING:
School is ALMOST out for the summer!!! {tomorrow!}
I'm also loving my freshly detailed car!
Monthly highlights are also my Book Club and Card Club nights!

4: WHAT WE’VE BEEN UP TO:

Off-season sports practices/training.  It's definitely slow season & I'm embracing it!  We've done a little yard work, but we've spent some Saturdays at the beach and Sundays in the pool, so that's been NICE!  Cullyn has went fishing almost every single night!

5: WHAT I’M DREADING:
I feel like we're going to blink and summer break will be over and the kids will be starting school again.  Sigh.

 6: WHAT I’M WORKING ON:
Booking vacations!!, a little end of the school year pool party for the kids, finalizing details for our Alaska trip, this puzzle, & an application to the HOA!

7: WHAT I’M EXCITED ABOUT:
SUMMER BREAK!!!
We're traveling most of the summer, but I'm SO excited to have the kids home for a couple of months.  I say it all the time {& I know I'm in the minority} but I just LOVE having my kids at home!  I genuinely miss them when they're at school!  We are going to Iowa for a couple of weeks and while we're all excited to catch up with family & friends {we haven't been back since CHRISTMAS!} the kids are especially excited.  If Cullyn asks me one more time how long until Iowa I might just lose my mind!  We've started our 'Iowa Musts' list!  Casey's breakfast pizza isn't going to know what hit it!  & I have to get some sushi!  Cullyn is ready to fish and ride 4-wheelers with his buddies and Jordyn wants to hang with friends and go tubing around the lake.  We're also going to get to see my parents NEW HOUSE!  I'm so dang excited for them!

8: WHAT I’M WATCHING/READING:

All the Cubs games {I love that we all 4 enjoy this!}

Jordyn has also been watching the Chicago Med/Fire/PD series with me.

And we watched Goat as a family the other night -- it was okay.  Cullyn said it felt like an 'off brand Zootopia' and I think he nailed it! ;) {we give it a 7/10}

I watched Soul on Fire one day and it was good!

Adam and I watched GreenBook and it was excellent. 

Clearly we've watched a lot of TV lately.  I blame this on it being rainy season.

I read Die With Zero, Party of Liars, Between Shades of Gray, The Senator's Wife &  The Spectacular

9: WHAT I’M LISTENING TO:

Bailey Zimmerman {can't get enough since we went to his concert}
Chris Stapleton Radio on Spotify

10: WHAT I’M WEARING:

This Top, with these shorts, shoes & this watch band.  
Always with these! {they don't get caught in your hair!}

11: WHAT I’M DOING THIS WEEKEND:
I'm hoping for some beach and pool time before Adam leaves for a work trip, but other than that we don't have anything planned besides church!

12: WHAT I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO NEXT MONTH:
J & I get to visit my sister & baby Zoey! :)
The kids have camps {including a sleepaway camp for Cul}
We go to Iowa for a couple of weeks & the kids couldn't be more excited!
Oh, and bonus -- I get to hear Adam sing again.  His band is playing for a private party when we're back in Iowa. :)

13: Last Amazon Purchase:

This watering can!  It's a game changer!  HOW have I went this long without a watering can?! For YEARS I have been filling a quart mason jar {1 million times!} and walking around watering my indoor {& outdoor!!} plants!  It looks like it's out of stock, but this watering can is amazing.  It holds a ton {2 gal} without being too heavy & gives the best 'shower' to my plants.  I'm saving so much time -- haha!  #TellMeYourOldWithoutTellingMe ;)