Whenever friends come in town it feels like permission to put responsibilities aside and just soak up all the goodness that is summer. My best friend lives in Greenville (SC) which is only about 2 1/2 hours away, so when we found our schedules aligned this past weekend, she and her fam came to spend it with us!
They arrived late afternoon on Friday and we immediately hopped on the boat to cruise to an early dinner at The Blue Parrot. They have a glorified sandbox out front, which kept the kids entertained while the adults chatted and sipped margaritas.
After dinner we slowly cruised back, allowing for some swimming breaks along the way.
We eased into Saturday with coffee on the porch while the kids ran around and played. Having other kids around is pretty similar to having a babysitter (minus all that responsibility and stuff) and the morning felt so relaxed. My friend, Kelly, and her family came over too which basically turned things into a full fledged party, complete with back porch dancing.
That night we grilled out and made s’mores, our summertime staple.
Then we washed the marshmallow off the kids by having them take a dip in the lake.
It really was such a wonderful summer weekend and I soaked in every minute. This summer has really been fun. We’ve filled our days so naturally that I haven’t even had to glance at our summer bucket list.
We’ve played putt-putt with friends.
We’ve spent the super hot days bowling (kids get a free game all summer long at George Pappas, local friends)
and playing name that spice at Healthy Home Market.
The girls are a sweet age, where we can play outside most of the day
with just water bottles and a snack here and there to sustain us.
I’ve even gotten out on my own on occasion, like last week when I got to enjoy a coffee date with Julie and Jen. Having time to talk about life and blogging with these two is good for my soul.
PS- Jen brought me a Morning Glory Muffin from Sunflour Bakery and it totally lives up to the hype!
It’s been nice to have a more lax schedule all around before soccer and possibly gymnastics get added to our mix. Having music and tennis lessons just once a week has been perfect.
However as my facebook feeds fills up with more back to school pictures and the mornings feel a wee bit cooler, hints that summer won’t stick around forever are starting to show. The girls are in a camp together every morning this week and I’m using this time to organize the house, finish up our playroom renovation, comb through our first month of homeschool lessons (we will officially start after Labor Day), reorganize all my chaotic kitchen cabinets, and get the rest of my proverbial ducks in a row.
I know our schedule for fall will have to shift, so I’m testing out different ways to fit all my priorities into our fall days. This morning I set my alarm for 4:35 so I could make it to the express 5:00 am Burn Boot Camp class. Surprisingly, it wasn’t too hard to get up and having my workout and shower complete before I came to the computer at 6:00 am is pretty incredible. I’d love to try and keep it up. We’ll see how I’m feeling come 1:00 pm today though…
I suppose I should tie up my rambles. I’m still soaking up summer (we still have fun to come, including a concert with friends and a beach trip to Amelia Island!), but also want to feel prepared so when I’ll be able to watch Georgia defeat App State (knock on wood, knock on wood…) in peace instead of rushing to get ready for the first of school.
How’s your summer going?
What is your most favorite thing you’ve done so far?
What is left on your “must to this summer” list?
Heather says
Great job on the early workout! I’m trying to soak in the last of summer but it’s been pretty chilly lately, which makes it hard, ha. But seeing your post makes me excited for summers to come when we are free to do whatever, whenever!
JOHN J STATHAS says
You are living life fully! Love the pictures with the happy faces of having summer fun. We’re enjoying summer as well with biking, boating, golfing, and enjoying evening breezes on the dock. Grateful!
Julie Running in a Skirt says
Sunflower Bakery is one of my favorite places to visit when I drive over from Asheville. So good. There vegan chocolate chip cookie is also amazing.
Brittany Dixon says
I will have to try those next time! Since everything I’ve tried there has been delicious, I have no doubt the cookies are incredible!
Heather says
You guys have such amazing places to take your girls! Love it! I feel like this summer is just speeding by and I have so many things left on my summer bucket list. Haha! We did at least start swimming lessons, which was a big one, so I am very glad we’ve at least checked that one off. I saw that you were up early on Instagram… I’m wondering if that’s maybe something I should try to fit in exercise, but oh does it sound painful. I seem to have enough trouble getting up at 5:00 as it is, let alone earlier.
Brittany Dixon says
I won’t lie, it feels awesome to have the workout done that early so I’m definitely going to be trying it again. Today felt great, but I wonder how I’d do with it on the regular? I guess I’ll find out! It would work so well for the busy fall season! Set your alarm clock and get up early with me one day just to try it! I’m so much more motivated when other people are doing it with me. I give my BFF credit for pushing me to try it this morning! I just needed a push 😉
Kathy says
What a fun weekend!! I have been a 5am exerciser for many, many years. I love it and for me its the best time to get it in. It helps that I am a morning person. I have heard from others that if you are new to that early workout time you should give it about 6 weeks or so to let your body adjust to the early rising time. So, yes, you may get sleepy in the afternoon in the beginning, but I think you will like the new workout time in the long run. Have a great week!!
Brittany Dixon says
I really feel so fantastic right now (we’ll see what I’m saying by this evening ;)) but I wonder if I only do it 3 days a week if my body will still adjust? How many mornings do you get up to exercise? At least it was a great first day! I’m certainly going to be trying it again.
Sherry says
What a fun and relaxing weekend! Love all the pictures too. The one with Haley on the swing 🙁 wow, she looks ten years old! You are an inspiration–getting up at 4:30 for boot camp!! I got up at 6 to get a five mile walk in before work, but don’t think I could do the 4:30!
Enjoy the week!
Liza says
Where Is kaitlyns little pink dress from? Love it!
Brittany Dixon says
Which one? The little pink one is from Old Navy and the blue one with the carousel print is Eleanor Rose. 🙂
Dana says
Looks like such a fun summer you all are having!! Soak it all in 🙂 I’m curious how you manage your time? Do you have a set schedule for things to do ect? I write a list daily but I feel like I don’t accomplish everything on it….I;m not a very good time manager 🙁 ….would love to hear how you accomplish your to do list 🙂 Enjoy the rest of the summer with your beautiful family 🙂
Brittany Dixon says
Right now we are all over the place! I’m trying to embrace it since we only have a couple weeks left of this chaos, but then I look forward to a bit more of a set schedule. I feel my girls are starting to crave it too since they’ve been overtired this week. To get through my to-do list (which doesn’t always happen), I try to batch big tasks by days. Food prep Sunday, blog work Monday, etc etc. It works better for me than doing a little each day!