Neon Back-to-School Teacher Gift Tags

Truth: About this time every summer, I dig my heels in deep.

I'm not ready to acknowledge that my beloved summertime is coming to an end. I love school shopping with the boys and stocking up on perfect boxes of crayons. But I love hitting the lake and sitting beside our little blow-up pool while the boys play far more. That feel of the sun soaking into my skin and just the general, more laid-back goodness of summer... it never lasts long enough.

Still... my resistant heels and heart can't stop it. It's Back to School time, I know it is. So, I've agreed to participate in my sweet friend Emily from The Benson Street's Back to School Series this month. I picked a day at the end of July, of course... so I could hold out that little bit longer ;) 

Kellogg's and Family Time Make the Best #GoodNightSnack #cbias

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All opinions are mine alone. #CollectiveBias

I think there's pretty much nothing I love more than family time. Nothing rejuvenates as well for me; not alone time or the pulse of a crowd for sure. All of my boys and I being happy together, focused on each other over anything else... those are the moments that get me through the next while and make me continue to truly, deeply love being a Mom. And when they aren't clouded by my having to be in the kitchen instead, I'm especially happy!

Recently Stephen got home late from work and actually requested Raisin Bran Crunch for something to eat! It was a rare, calm night and the boys were clamoring for something more too, so I pulled out these boxes of Kellogg's cereals and we headed outside to our picnic table for a simple dice game and good night snack. I love summer dusk and just soaked up the whole moment, missing our older boys for sure...

Messy is Cool... Fun Slip n' Slide Ideas!

 

The funnest memories don't ever seem to involve vacuum lines in the carpet or perfectly pressed white shorts, right? With my band of men, I think they're definitely just the opposite. Those moments when we're all disregarding anyone watching or what could get hurt or if our idea seems a bit crazy, are the ones that I really believe the boys will look back on and really cherish. (Or, if nothing else, at least remember that Mom is pretty cool after all) ;)

So, it goes without really saying then that I'm not one of those Moms that can't handle mud and mess (I might just go truly nuts if I was!). If your life isn't really up for that, then the water fun idea I'm sharing today as part of The Joys of Boys' Summer Survival Series for Moms of Boys might not be for you... But if you're still reading at this point, then I'm guessing you already know this could be a BIG hit...

Island Park Independence Day

I'm pretty sure we've got a new annual tradition...

spending the Fourth of July in Island Park and Yellowstone National Park!

We had what, I think for me at least, was one of the most awesome camping trips ever over this last holiday!

I'm ashamed to admit it, but I've only been into Yellowstone one other time before this even though we live so close. I didn't necessarily like the crowds, but it wasn't too bad and we did just a day trip in and out.

This buffalo above was the first wildlife we saw as we drove- got us all excited! The little boys love the bison episode of Wild Kratts that was on recently, so they were stoked to see a real one. This one would prove to end up boring, though...

So, What Do We Do in the Summatime?

Been too long since I shared our everyday life goings on! And there have been lots of fun things to share!

Maybe that's why I haven't blogged about them... been busy making memories :)

What are we doing this summer so far? Visiting Grandma and Grandpa... several more trips planned before it's over for sure. This particular one the boys got to go on a morning fishing trip with Grandpa and enjoyed Grammie's fun new double slip n' slide.