What We’ve Been Up to This Summer…
I think we’ve officially hit a record for the longest recap I’ve ever shared on the blog.
Every month I tell myself I’ll keep these recaps shorter and only share the highlights, but this summer has been so full that it just hasn’t happened. I’ve managed to keep up with Instagram posts and recipe blogs, but sitting down to write these recaps always takes the longest.
Now that I have two kids, one home for the summer and a five month old who only naps if he’s sleeping on me (and usually only for about 30 minutes), finding uninterrupted time to write has been nearly impossible. The only time he’ll nap for a long stretch is if I’m out walking, which unfortunately isn’t exactly the best time to work on a blog post. I’m also not a night owl, I’m a morning worker. But that doesn’t work when the baby wakes up as soon as I sit down with my coffee.
Between activities, house projects, church events, school events, holidays, and just life in general, we’ve barely slowed down. I’ll admit, I’ve debated ending these recap posts more than once. But every time I think about it, something tells me to hang in there. I’m hoping that once school starts back up and the baby settles into a better sleep routine, I’ll find my rhythm again.
For now, after weeks of slowly piecing it together whenever I could steal a few minutes, I’ve finally finished this extremely long recap covering the past few months.
I apologize for how short some of the content (not photos) will be, but right now, it’s the only way.
It’s been a HOT summer. Like… really, really hot. We’ve been stuck in the upper 90s for weeks, with what feels like 100% humidity, and I’m officially over it.
We’ll definitely be getting back to more chalk art this fall when it’s not so miserable outside, but we did manage to squeeze in a few drawings throughout this recap. One of our neighbor kids absolutely LOVES Trash Truck, so we hurried outside one scorching afternoon to surprise him with this one. Was it my best work? Definitely not. But when you’re racing against the heat, you can’t be too picky.
THE POOL
That’s where you’ll find us most mornings after our long walks. The baby absolutely LOVES the water and would spend hours in it if I’d let him. Bath time is already his favorite part of the day, so I guess it shouldn’t surprise me!
We load up our pool wagon with everything we need for a few hours: food, towels, extra clothes, fans, sunscreen, toys, and anything else we might need. Then we find a nice shady spot to hang out all day. That wagon has been one of the best purchases ever because I don’t have to juggle all of our pool gear while carrying a baby.
As for my older son… he’d stay in the pool for 24 hours straight if he could. He’s such a water kid! All he wants to do is jump in over and over while yelling, “Mom, watch this!”
We have been LIVING off these cottage cheese protein pancakes lately. Sometimes I add banana, and sometimes I don’t, but either way they’re so good. They’re packed with protein, surprisingly filling, and one of those breakfasts that actually keeps me full for hours.
I always make a huge batch so they’ll last a few days in the fridge… except they never do. They barely make it 24 hours because my husband somehow manages to eat them all before I get the chance.
Protein Cottage Cheese Pancakes (20g Protein Per Pancake)
The Best Italian Subs for Pool Days and Summer Lunches
Before we fully committed to this new way of approaching food with my son (read more about that here if you’re wondering what I’m talking about), we discovered that he absolutely loves a good chicken sandwich. And if he’s getting a special treat, Bossy Beulah’s is always at the top of his list. Although, I have started perfecting a healthy fried chicken cutlet that he’s been loving at home! I just need to work on doing a bun recipe.
Doing the gifts for teacher’s throughout th eyear for holidays or end of the year is one of my favorites. I love love love my son’s preschool and and his teaches!
Putting together gifts for my son’s teachers throughout the year, whether it’s for the holidays or the end of the school year, is one of my favorite things to do. I absolutely love his preschool and adore his teachers! I need to put together a blog post or a reel sharing some of my favorite teacher gift ideas from the past few years because I’ve had so much fun coming up with them.
For this year’s end of the year gifts, I kept it simple but fun. I included a gift card, a custom card, and a little s’mores kit to kickstart summer. It was such a cute way to thank them for an amazing school year and wish them a relaxing, well deserved break.
Last year, my hummingbirds were one of the only things that brought me joy while I was so sick during pregnancy. I’d sit out on the porch before it got too hot and just watch them fly around. It was the perfect distraction and a nice escape from all the smells inside that made me feel miserable.
This year, I decided to give them a little upgrade with these beautiful glass hummingbird feeders, and they absolutely love them. They’re not only so much prettier than the plastic ones, but they’re also much easier to clean because they don’t get stuck together with the nectar. I ended up buying the purple ones for the backyard too, and they’ve been such a fun little addition to our outdoor space.
One of my favorite meals around here is the country fried chicken and gravy from Garden Café. I don’t order it very often because, let’s be honest, it’s pretty heavy, and I still have some baby weight I’d like to lose. A meal like that isn’t exactly helping my case. 😂
Instead, I tried making a healthier version at home, and honestly, it turned out pretty good! I oven baked a chicken cutlet, topped it with an organic country gravy, and served it with roasted vegetables on the side. Nowhere near the real deal though.
Summer in South Carolina is no joke. It’s usually over 90 degrees by 8:00 a.m., so our park dates have been ending pretty early. After that, we’re usually looking for indoor activities unless we’re spending the day at the pool. Bowling has become one of our favorite outings lately, especially the alleys with fun arcades. It keeps everyone entertained and gets us out of the heat for a few hours.
Also, I had no idea where else to share this random recommendation, so I’m throwing it in here… if you ever find yourself at The Improper Pig in Fort Mill, do yourself a favor and order the fried rice with andouille sausage and the spicy Asian green beans. They’re seriously some of the best meals I’ve ever had!
I can’t believe I haven’t blogged since Memorial Day, and now Memorial Day and the Fourth of July are ending up in the same post. 😂 Like I said, this might just be the longest two month recap in the history of the blog.
Memorial Day was definitely a rain or shine kind of weekend for us. We headed to the pool anyway, and my son’s little best friend came along. Those two absolutely match each other’s energy, and they had the best time swimming in the downpour.
A few other little highlights from the past couple of months…
Our tomatoes finally started growing and were ready to pick right off the vine in the garden, which always feels like the official start of summer to me.
We also watched the iconic Summer House drama unfold each week, and one of my best friends even drove over so we could watch the reunion together. I made chocolate covered strawberries using the unsweetened dark chocolate with cocoa nibs from Trader Joe’s, and they were so good. Such a fun girls’ night!
We also finally tried the new Dutch Bros location in Rock Hill. It still seems to have a mile long line every time we drive by, but we had to see what all the hype was about!
Lettuce Wrapped Grilled Jalapeño Cheddar Turkey Burgers (I made them into meatballs)
The Best Fudge Brownies | Chewy & Gooey! (made them for the 4th with buttercream on top)
One thing I’ve been doing every single morning is getting out for my walks. I load both boys into the stroller and we head out for 3 to 4 miles. Between the steep hills, the weight of both kids, and sometimes even pulling my 90 pound dog along, it’s definitely a workout. But I can already tell it’s helping me rebuild my strength after pregnancy.
The best part is that my four year old actually begs to go. He rides on the scooter attachment almost the entire time, only hopping off to jump on his favorite rocks along the route. It’s become such a fun part of our mornings, and I love that it’s something we all look forward to together.
Our summer has been filled with library visits, big salads packed for pool days, arcade afternoons, fresh smoothies, time in the garden, and now he’s wrapping up his last week of summer camp. Looking back, we’ve packed so much into these past two months, and I know these are the kinds of simple summer days I’ll miss one day.
High Protein Cottage Cheese Pasta Salad
Chicken and Feta Couscous Pasta Salad
AND SO MUCH GARDENING!
I’m such a sucker for my plants, my coffee mugs, my hummingbirds… and now apparently I’m feeding the neighborhood bunnies too.
The other day, I looked outside and found two tiny baby deer curled up under one of our trees. I could cry they were so cute. We kept the dogs inside all day and only let them out in the front so we wouldn’t disturb them, and their mom came back for them that evening!
We had an hour to spare before camp one morning, so we grabbed the chalk and decided to draw the Power Rangers on the driveway. My son is fully in his Power Rangers era right now, and it’s bringing back all the ’90s nostalgia for me.
I had to rush the last two because we ran out of time, but I wasn’t mad at how they turned out!
Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe | Chewy, Gooey, and Crispy!
We were invited over to a friend’s house for a backyard pool playdate, so I whipped up a batch of our favorite last minute chocolate chip cookies to bring along. They’re my go to whenever I need something quick to throw together, and they’re always a hit. Warm cookies and a pool day… it doesn’t get much better than that.
We went through a solid week long Blue’s Clues phase. Blue was much easier to draw than the Power Rangers. We didn’t make it to drawing Steve because it started down pouring. Poor Blue washed away haha
If you’re wondering what kind of chalk we use or any of the links from my blog, I finally created a ShopMy account!
His first time breaking in his fishing pole from Santa! My husband took him down to the river and he begs to go every single day.
We’ve tried some new coffee shops this summer, and Eden in Pineville had some of the best nitro brew coffee I’ve ever had. I’ve never liked nitro brew coffee before! It was so good I ordered another, and I also LOVED how they spelled Kyle’s name. 😂
Another spot we have loved lately is the Las Americas Supermarket in Rock Hill. It’s pretty viral on social media, and for all the right reasons because that Mexican grocery store/market is amazing. We’ve been getting giant cups of Tajín mango, their incredible street tacos, and fresh produce there. My friend Becca introduced me to it, and now it’s one of our favorites. I can’t believe I haven’t gone sooner.
One thing I did for myself this summer was try to get back into tennis. Some ladies in the neighborhood do a tennis clinic, and I’ve been going. It’s been so fun… hot, but fun.
& my husband and I managed to go on a date for the first time together since December! We had the best sushi at Whitaker’s in downtown Fort Mill.
4 Ingredient Cottage Cheese Protein Blender Muffins
Becca and I had a coffee date at Flora in Rock Hill. This is one of my favorite coffee shops, not exactly for the coffee, but mainly for the vibe. They also have the best quiche and desserts.
I love going there because it’s so cozy and quaint. I especially love their quiche! It’s probably why I’ve gone there two to three times in every recap post since they’ve opened. 😂 It’s one of those coffee shops I always choose when I want to sit down and catch up with friends or sit outside with the baby.
This chalk art was one of the funnest days ever.
You can watch the tutorial in the video below or head over to my Instagram!
We crushed up chalk, added water and cornstarch, and painted with it. It was the best time ever, and I can’t wait for it to cool down outside so we can do a fall version next with pumpkins and Halloween decor!
We had the big potluck style Sunday brunch at church a few months ago, and of course I was so excited to have an excuse to make my favorite sourdough cinnamon rolls! My little co-chef was just as excited too!
It’s actually a tennis night tonight so I’m getting excited just looking at this picture! I always forget how much joy it brings me when I’m out of tennis season.
It feels like every photo is from my walks, but they really do take up every morning. We spend almost an hour and a half walking, and it’s honestly bringing me so much joy. I love getting out in nature, even when it’s a BILLION degrees by the time we’re making our way back home. 😂 I also love all the fresh air my kids are getting and the time we get to spend together. My son likes to listen to his favorite songs for about half of the walk, and then he hops off to run around and jump all over his favorite rocks.
Mexican Street Corn Quiche Recipe
One meal we’ve been loving lately is quiche, and my Mexican Street Corn Quiche was inspired by Flora Coffee Shop!
Oh, and chicken with Cindy’s Teriyaki Sauce… OMG, it’s so good!! We love serving it over rice with steamed broccoli and a drizzle of Primal Kitchen yum yum sauce.
Smoothies all day in this house…
We’ve recently been using the Ballerina Farm protein powder. We like this one and we also like the Levels protein powder and use that one regularly as well. They’re pretty similar in taste and macros, and finally, Ballerina Farm sells theirs on Amazon!
Smoothie: Frozen banana, frozen berries, whole milk, one scoop of protein powder, and almond butter.
I told you there were just too many things we’ve done and too many photos taken to make this blog any shorter. 😂
Pool days, long walks, days out on the town with the family, protein pancakes, dinners, grocery trips, chalk art, baking, library dates, movies, mall trips, farmers markets, and so much more… That’s why it’s best to follow me on Instagram for the real time photos.
High Protein Cottage Cheese Caesar Chicken Pasta Salad
We’ve been working on making a bunch of fun stepping stones with plaster for the garden! My son has loved adding all the little jewels to them.
& we still enjoy our Sunday afternoon coffee dates after church, usually followed by a Costco trip. It’s become one of our favorite little Sunday traditions.
I made an Oreo cake for one of my friend’s birthdays, and we headed over to her house for THE BEST FRIED RICE I’VE EVER HAD. OMGGGGGGG. Seriously… it was amazing.
Homemade chicken fries were a hit!
I used my chicken nugget recipe but just shaped them into chicken fries! My family loved them.
One of my favorite grab and go snacks or breakfasts to make with my son are these no added sugar energy balls! They have peanut butter, honey, oats, coconut, sunflower seeds, and unsweetened chocolate chips. We call them cookie balls.
We’ve been living off creamy chicken fajita pasta, burger bowls, homemade burgers, the best grilled chicken, healthy cookies, and as much homemade food as we can make. We’ve really changed up the eating habits in our house!
Creamy Chicken Fajita Pasta – 30 Minute Recip
The Best Golden Sourdough Bread Recipe | Easy for Beginners
Maple Cinnamon Apple Crisp: Vegan & Gluten-Free Recipe
Healthy Double Chocolate Cookies with Almond Flour Recipe
How to Make the BEST Marinated Grilled Chicken
I keep these healthy, no added sugar peanut butter cookies in my freezer at all times. They are my son’s go-to dessert after dinner, and he thinks they’re the real deal! He’ll eat anything on his plate if it means getting one of these for dessert.
Healthy Peanut Butter Cookies (with almond flour)
We have so much fun baking them together! And speaking of, we are going to make another batch today since the last one was eaten last night.
Oh, and these protein cottage cheese pancakes (we love adding banana too!) are on the menu for today. We go through so many of them, and honestly, I need to hide them from my husband.
Protein Cottage Cheese Pancakes (20g Protein Per Pancake)
4th of July at the pool! We had our first outing at my parents house for the 4th.
We spent the rest of the day at the block party. As the chalk obsessed lady, I had to set up a cute chalk station for the kids. By the end of the night, they were running around with chalk and sparklers, and it felt so ’90s. I loved every second of it!!
We all pitched in to rent a GIANT bounce house for the kids, and it was the best time my son has ever had. It was also the latest he’s ever stayed up! He was in the water from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. between my parents’ pool and the giant water slide. He never got tired. 😂 He’d take a quick break to steal bites of food off my plate and then sprint right back to the water.
I made over 120 of my chocolate chip cookies, and they were gone in an hour! I’m telling you… that recipe is GOLD!
I think we had one of the best Fourth of Julys ever. I’ve never truly LOVED the Fourth of July because it’s always so hot, but now that I’m a mom, I think it might be one of my favorite holidays. It did reach 100 degrees on the 4th so the mom’s had their take at the slide as well.
Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe | Chewy, Gooey, and Crispy!
Uncle Rich’s Famous Sweet Cheddar Teriyaki Burgers
Our FAVORITE healthy no added sugar apple crisp recipe 🙂 We have been making this without the flour, too.
Maple Cinnamon Apple Crisp: Vegan & Gluten-Free Recipe
Because sometimes you just have to follow through with your ideas… haha.
And it was amazing! Caesar salad served in a Caesar salad flavored potato chip bag… at the pool. 😂 10/10 recommend!! It actually went viral on my Instagram 🙂
I’m whipping these up like every other day now…
Protein Cottage Cheese Pancakes (20g Protein Per Pancake)
I have been wanting to do an herb garden on the porch, and when I saw all of these planters 66% off, I had to get them! I love the stone look.
Plus, gardening is so much fun with you have a toddler that is just as excited as you to get in the dirt.
I don’t dare grab tomatoes from the garden without this one!
I think next year I’ll plant my tomatoes along the fence line because my Peggy Martins have completely taken over the trellis, and the tomatoes aren’t as big this year. But that’s gardening… you learn as you go!
Also, something I’ve been doing lately for our morning breakfasts is toasting our oatmeal in the oven with a little coconut oil to make a simple granola. Then I add it to plain Greek yogurt with a drizzle of honey. My son loves it!
I put together a meal train for a mom in need last week, and I thought I’d share it in case you need an idea for a gluten free meal train that isn’t another pasta bake. It was easy to make, and they loved it.
This is a meatloaf recipe that even we make weekly!
The Best Turkey Meatloaf Recipe We Eat Weekly
Even though it’s a billion degrees, we’re still going strong on our early morning walks. I’m so glad he gets to be outside, scoot around a bit before camp, and enjoy his breakfast while we’re out there.
Boys Blink 182 Shirt! – Found it at Walmart for under $10!
Smoothie & Coffee to-go Cups – we put our smoothies in these for our walks!
Some things my son has been enjoying for breakfast are homemade granola with plain Greek yogurt and local honey, Elizabeth oatmeal with peanut butter and extra seeds, sourdough French toast, and homemade cottage cheese pancakes. They’re all on rotation right now, and of course, a smoothie whenever he asks for one.
I had a proud mom moment the other day. He asked me for homemade fried chicken and French fries! He used to REFUSE to eat anything homemade like this, and now he clears his plate. I’m telling you, a little reset in his eating habits completely took the dinnertime drama out of our house.
Today, I took him to a restaurant, and he ate AN ENTIRE BURGER… left no crumbs and didn’t even leave me a bite! 😂 I cannot believe this is the same kid who used to cry and gag if we even asked him to try a burger. It’s been so much work, but moments like this remind me that every bit of it has been worth it.
Last weekend, I spent a lot of time on walks and at the pool with the kids while Kyle tackled some home projects. One of our walls had a leak, and after the plumber left, the entire wall had to be ripped open. We also had to take out the built-ins in the baby’s nursery, so everything was a complete mess. Luckily, Kyle put everything back together, and we were able to get everything taken care of and move on from the craziness.
We also participated in Rise Against Hunger with our church for Kindness Week on Sunday, and it was such an awesome event. Together, we packed 15,000 meals!
My son, who LOVES baking with me, helped me pack up four dozen chocolate chip cookies to bring.
Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe | Chewy, Gooey, and Crispy!
And another week has begun, no camp this week so a lot of walks, pool time, library trips, and baking!
Healthy Peanut Butter Cookies (with almond flour)
I hope you all have the best week! I think I’ll be posting these recaps weekly again because, my gosh, this one took an entire month to publish! 😂
Sorry it was so long, but I’m happy we’re finally all caught up on what I’ve been up to this summer. Thanks for following along, and I’ll see you next week!
