Sweet Summer Fun
>> Thursday, July 23, 2015
Hey, guys! Summer is in full swing over here at our house. I love living where the summers are hot, the falls and springs are temperate, and the winters are wicked cold. It makes us appreciate the sunshine that much more. We soak it in every chance we get. We are also lucky because Stephen has his summers off -- 10 whole weeks to spend together as a family is such an amazing treat.
As a result, we have some daily traditions. Here are some small ways we plan to have the best summer ever.
#1: Cheap Pool
Every day after Ada’s nap, for example, we slap on the sunscreen and head outdoors to the wading pool to cool off. (Yes. I pretend I can fit!) We fill up the water table and often turn on the sprinkler, too. You don’t even need much water (or cash) to have fun. I bought Ada’s pool for $15 at a local big box store and it’s already provided days of entertainment.
#2: Bug-Free Box
Some days cool off and are better for digging in the sand. My tip for keeping your sandbox bug-free is to add a good cup or more of ground cinnamon. Not only does it deter critters, but it also makes the sand smell amazing! (Note: If your child has sensitive skin, you might want to test out the cinnamon in a small patch to see if it irritates him/her. Ada’s had no problems.)
#3: Evening Stroll
When the sun gets low in the sky, we like to take a walk around the neighborhood. Ada sometimes hops on her bike and we try to keep up with her pedaling. Other times we go down to our backyard creek and wade around. No matter what, we hunt for bugs and other critters. Last year, we found a family of bunnies living in our garden. Every night is a new adventure, that’s for sure.
All it takes is some paying attention to nature.
#4: Summer Harvest
Oh, the garden. We tend to it each and every night. Usually the soil is quite dry from its long day in the sun. We harvest any ripe tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, or other fruits and veggies. Then there’s usually heaps of basil to bring indoors (I’ve been making pesto like it’s my main job). We love grilling, so it’s awesome to just pick, wash, cook, and eat.
My mother-in-law planted flowers that Ada loves picking, too. We also like to head to local farms to get berries by the barrel. I can’t wait to make (and can) blueberry jam this year.
#5: Sweet Treats
And popsicles! It wouldn’t be a summer day without delicious popsicle juice dripping down my fingers. Ada and I have been making our own batches this year, and right now, the house favorite is an orange pop that’s made with fruit and veggies. They usually stick into the molds, so our recipes need more tweaking. Sometimes (usually!) we get ice cream or frozen yogurt on our evening walks. We’ve even bought some cones and sundae supplies to keep at home.
#6: Oral Care
This post is brought to you by Aquafresh® toothpaste. Because summer sure is sweet -- in more ways than one. So, we always keep our oral health in mind. Ada’s brushing habits are getting better by the day. After her first dentist appointment in the winter, she even reminds us that it’s time to brush her teeth. But summer has us traveling all sorts of places and munching on all sorts of foods that could harm our teeth. We don’t want any surprises at our next dentist appointments!
Aquafresh® toothpaste contains fluoride which provides Sugar Acid Protection -- active defense for teeth against summer sugar by both repairing teeth from the consequences of sugar acid attacks and protecting them for the future. That way we keep our defenses up against all the lemonade, frozen yogurt, BBQs, PBJ packed lunches, berries, s’mores, parade candy, beer, wine, and more. I’ve been using the red, white, and blue paste since I was a kid because it tastes great and makes my mouth feel fresh.
Keep an eye out for Captain Aquafresh this summer (and follow his tips on Twitter @AquafreshUS). And don’t forget to brush!
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