The idea of summer meaning rest is one that’s apparently deeply entrenched in my soul. During the busiest days before the winter holidays or the end of the school year, I look forward to summer: “I’ll have so much time to work then.”
Lol, as the kids say. Last week, I spent approximately 20 hours carting kids to and from camps, and this week it’s been all 3 at zoo camp (scheduling miracle). Then there’s summer flag football, and a basketball league, and tennis on Saturdays, and piano just a little later on Saturdays, so I’ve given up and given in. I’m feeling grateful for my systems that helped me get super prepared for this busy time, because what isn’t a busy time? (and I’ll share some of that type-A magic with you today too). Here’s what life looks like lately:
Here’s what I’m really loving right now:
Yeah, we got a Ninja SLUSHi. Frozen butterbeer was my son’s only request for his upcoming Harry-Potter-themed sleepover, so I figured I’d rather just buy it now and enjoy it all summer. So far we’ve made frosty raspberry lemonade and creamy caramel apple cider slushies. The kids (and I) are delighted.
This gorgeous titanium pan from Our Place. I’ve been on a mission to reduce microplastics and PFAs in our kitchen, and that’s meant giving up my beloved nonstick skillet, since I’ve noticed the coating scratching. I just got this heavy-duty (but lightweight!) titanium pan, and I could not be more in love. The interior is coating-free, making it also worry-free for me, and it cooks so beautifully evenly. And the metal spatula that comes with? Instant favorite, and I say this simply as a human being given to hyperbole. Did I mention it’s gorgeous? I love her so much.
I just discovered that Native has a passion fruit scent, and my life feels complete. I’ve been on the biggest passion fruit kick lately, and if I can get my armpits on board… well, it just feels right. I ordered, and I’m not kidding, 6 deodorants, 3 lotions, and 2 body washes from them, so I’ll get to be a bubble of tart tropical bliss long after they retire that scent.
Here’s what’s making my life easier:
If I were a plucky Pixar main character, my sidekick would be a self-propelled, chirping Hulken bag. This thing is with me everywhere, and it revolutionizes road trips. I use it so much on grocery-shopping days that I feel compelled to offer it healthcare benefits. The concept itself - a giant bag you can dump everything in? - is not revolutionary, but it somehow also is? I can’t get enough.
Remember when lounging by the pool meant like, rosé and faerie smut? Lol, as the kids say. These days, my poolside days are mostly spent refereeing while my kids essentially try to drown one another. But my very smart friend recently shared this pool game with me, and my kids can’t get enough. You toss a handful of plastic gems into the water then lounge out on a chaise and holler out different gem combinations for them to find. Pro tip: call out gem types that don’t exist and buy yourself enough time to read one page of faerie smut.
My annual camp-info spreadsheet. As we sign up for camps, I pop in the relevant info, so that, come whatever Sunday in June or July, I’m not frantically trying to find the supplies, drop off, and food info I need to prep for the next morning’s drop off. Every camp is so dang different, and it can get overwhelming (but not as overwhelming as listening to them scream, then cry, then complain they’re bored all summer long - work-from-home parent reality).
What we’re eating right now:
This creamy lemon Boursin chicken with orzo is just pinnacle summer recipe. It’s filling but light and bright and easy, too. I can’t get enough.
Creamy Lemon Boursin Chicken & Orzo
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Enter: three of my favorite recipes all combined into a happy, highly secure throuple. You didn’t think it was possible? Well, think again. We’ve got my perfectly crispy chicken thighs (AKA what everyone in my family requests when they come over for dinner,
For Father’s Day, I meal prepped my husband’s favorite healthy breakfast recipe, cubed butternut squash, maple-roasted brussels sprouts, and marinated salmon filets. He finds it difficult to prep food for himself for work lunches, so I spent a couple hours meal prepping with the kids on Father’s Day. Acts of Service, hi, hello.
I made a batch of my chilled avocado soup for lunches this week, because, well, it’s just one of my favorite foods ever. I still haven’t found the best method for pressing the avocado, though. Pressing avocado meat through a strainer makes for beautifully smooth purée but takes forever. Pushing it through a potato ricer only works for about half the avocado; the other half smushes up around the sides. Blitzing it in the blender or food processor results in a texture I don’t really love: too buttery and sort of lacking mouthfeel? Give me your ideas!
Life Lately
We just celebrated my daughter’s kindergarten graduation with an admittedly over-the-top celebration. The theme? Um, well: “a garden party celebration graduation at Auradon Prep.” She asked for a Descendants theme, but with a lot of pink?, so that’s where we landed. Here’s how I planned it:
We have squash vine borers in the mini pumpkins I’ve been desperately trying to grow for 2 years now. Last year we had a bunk batch of seeds that never sprouted, and this year my beautiful plant has been taken over. We’re managing to stave off destruction so far, but I fear squash vine borers might have more tenacity than I do. I just want to grow some dang pumpkins for my children, OK?! Find a zucchini down the street to invade.
I just booked a surprise trip for my son for his birthday again this year. We’re taking my little Potterhead back to Universal Studios Orlando for some quality time in the Wizarding World, and I can’t wait to hang with him and explore Epic Universe, too.
My daughter had Moana-themed musical-theater camp last week, and I was beyond impressed by the little week’s-end performance they put on. 20 minutes or so of singing, dancing, and acting, learned by these 6-8 year olds in a few days? I’m so glad we found Children’s Ballet Theater here in Memphis, and…
I’m signing up for adult ballet lessons when school starts back up. I was a serious ballet dancer through high school but haven’t danced since. I’m in the business of reclaiming my joy this year, and dancing is part of that. Oh, and don’t worry; I’ve already been scouting cute leotards. Send all your dancer must-haves my way! I haven’t worn a leg warmer since 2007.
I’m working tirelessly on content for my cookbook, and I cannot wait to share more info about this project! It really is the culmination of all the things I love and feel like I’m actually good at, and I’m so excited to share it with the world… although that point feels very, very far in the future, from my current little hole in the trenches.
Get your life together
Yeah, no, I know that school just ended up but hear me out… it’s time to start thinking about it again? My #1 tip for parents who feel consumed by chaos is to get ahead of the inevitable, lest it overtake us like a riptide of school supplies and first-day outfits and immunization records.
Summer Camps:
Do you have your summer camps planned, with the information organized and readily available? Try my camp info spreadsheet for easy reference when prepping for each camp, and buy any supplies you need now.
Summer Travel:
Got those summer trips planned? Buy those plane tickets yet? It’s time, OK?
And if you need a RealID, get that ASAP!
Summer Fun:
OK, it’s not all about spreadsheets and forms. Make a list of what you really want to do this summer, and get the whole family involved! Then make it a priority to check every box on your summer bucket list.
4th of July:
Have plans for the 4th? It’s right around the corner, so buy those fireworks, invite those friends, plan a little menu. This red, white, and blue grazing board makes entertaining as impressive as it is easy. And might I suggest s’mores bars, fried pickle dip, cucumber-jalapeño margaritas, red potato salad, or slow cooker BBQ chicken? Might I also suggest inviting moi?
Back-to-School:
Well, first make sure those kids are officially registered for the upcoming school year.
Does anyone offer school supply boxes for your school? If yes, buy those now! They tend to sell out around here.
Plan and buy first-day-of-school outfits, if that’s your thing. I bought this for my daughter and this for my youngest. My girl wore the same dress 2 years back, and my heart is aching, friends.
Plan for first-day-of-school chalkboards or signs, if that’s your thing. I used to frantically write and rewrite a chalkboard for each kid, but now I just use this wooden letter board, because it’s easy to switch and has a classic look I love.
Do your kids need any annuals/physicals before they can go back to school? Get that done now, so you’re not panicking in a couple months.
Do you do little beginning-of-school teacher gifts? If you’re into that sort of thing, plan them now. I like to put together a low-key basket of utilities over the summer, then personalize it once we know the teacher’s name.
What I’m reading/listening to/watching/playing:
reading: I just finished Lights Out and wooooooof. I was honestly so surprised by how well it was written, since I’d sort of just assumed it was going to be a sort of cheap take on kink and gore. Not the case at all, and I can’t wait to start Caught Up.
I’m listening to The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, which is the coziest book ever, and I want to live in it forever. It gives big The House in the Cerulean Sea, which I absolutely adored. Please listen to this; you’re welcome in advance. Also if anyone would like to adopt me into their remote, magical household, I’m available. Must come with a sassy older man.
listening to: We got tickets to see Leslie Odom Jr. reprise his role as Aaron Burr in Hamilton this November, so I’ve been on a big Hamilton kick with the kiddos. Well, with the world, since that performance at the Tony Awards. Aaron Burr, sir, indeed.
watching: Mr. Aprons and I alternate between Sirens on Netflix and Shrinking on AppleTV+ during that precious 45-minute block between putting the kids to bed and putting ourselves to bed. Sirens makes me giggle, because, after watching the first 5 minutes, I sent this text to my assistant, who sort of looks like, dresses like, and is an angel like Simone is/was/whatever:
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