some more summer

I have to watch Phoebe around Clement closer than I watch Abe because she picks him up and all but totes him around like a rag doll. All day.

1. A month into summer break and it's finally feeling like SUMMER summer with the hot and muggy weather. The kind of weather where you feel like you've earned the pool. I love it. I should probably get the boys those fancy foam stroller clip-on fans (anyone have one they love?) because I could go on long walks with them but also don't want to be cruel as not everyone loves sweating like a pig in the heat of the day like I do.

2. Nothing new to report on the book front because I'm still reading and enjoying The Lake House. I know I'll be sad when it's over because Kate Morton always has some crazy twists at the end of her books that make you want to reread them from a different perspective - I won't but I'll be tempted. One of my favorite authors just released a new book and that is very much up next on the docket for me.

3. Too much to cover as far as Bachelor Nation goes this week (despite the weird half episode they threw us on Monday) but I'm still team Tyler C all the way and wish never had to see or hear from Luke P ever again. Lauren Zima killed it once again this week!

4. Alright, I have to share this ice cream cake recipe because if I can make it and have it turn out and taste amazing - then anyone can and you DEFINITELY should. I added graham cracker crumbs and plastic dinosaurs to the top for Abe and Bosco's birthdays and used store bought fudge but used her whipped cream recipe AND swapped vanilla for chocolate ice cream but other than that (ha) - the directions were pretty perfect. I might've waited 10 full minutes to cut the cake because the oreo crust didn't want to budge initially in it's very frozen state. Make it! If you want!

5. Huge thanks to Kari who let me know that the dress I wished would go on sale in fact DID go on sale. Wedding season, here it comes (as long as it fits!).

6. This romper would be cute on a boy or a girl and even though it's not on SALE sale - if you sign up for their emails and get the 15% off - that helps. And these shortalls are adorable and could be worn with tons of different shirts or onesies to change up the look - Clement might wear it to church nine Sundays in a row and no one would ever know (except you).

7. Hanna Andersson is having an insane sale ($42 dresses marked down to $10 - and more!), 50% off so many things (swim! shorts! activewear!) at Old Navy for 2 days only, and J.Crew is having a one day flash sale (40% off your purchase with code: BIG)!

Have a wonderful Sunday -- and beyond!

summering

1. We're a solid two weeks into summer break and I think the kinks are slowly working themselves out as we find our groove and routine with the few scheduled activities we have on our plate. The kids are loving life and I'm trying to let my Fun Mom flag fly more than I usually do. The pool has been a welcome addition and we've mostly mastered biking/strollering around the neighborhood as a semi cohesive unit. Is the house messier than ever and has dinner been a lot of the formerly frozen variety? Yes and yes. Baby steps summertime mastery, baby steps.

2. I've decided at almost 6 months postpartum that I need some exercise outside the house without the kids (need is a strong word - "would like" is more appropriate) and decided that getting up and going to a class at 5am is the best move for now. I'm a mere two days in and I can barely walk down the stairs because I'm already so sore SO - we'll see how strong my resolve is these next few weeks/months. I'm not a morning person but I really want to be a morning person so - carpe now. I've been loving these especially because they were on sale but am oh so intrigued by these and all their high waisted glory too.

3. I started The Lakehouse last week as I thought I might but devoured both The Last Mrs. Parrish and Ghosted. Ghosted was SO good. The Last Mrs. Parrish kept me up late and reading but ultimately was kind of just okay. I'm tempted by The Dinner List next but will finish - The Lakehouse first (I'm really enjoying it I'm just easily distracted it when it comes to books and um, everything else).

4. Alright - I know it's a total cliché and I'm eating out of the producer's hands but I'm suddenly team Tyler C all the way. I was a skeptic but no more! I don't even want to waste my breath/finger muscles on the Lukes (plural) drama but my distant second and third place guys are Pete the Pilot and Garrett. I'm not the biggest fan of Jed but will be happily proven wrong as the season progresses. If you're not watching Lauren Zimas Roses and Rosé recaps - you're missing OUT because she's hilarious.

5. I'm a little (or a lot, probably) old to feel any nostalgia about the Jonas Brothers big comeback because I just don't remember them being a big deal (what was I doing? I don't know) but I coerced Simon into watching their new documentary with me and we didn't hate it! I'm rooting for them even though Sucker isn't my favorite song (but Rollercoaster is!).

6. I couldn't resist ordering this Amazon dress that Kendi wore this past week - and I LOVE it. (I'm 5' 7" and the medium hits me just above the knee) Super fun + lightweight for summer. Kopycat 4 life.

7. On the sale front ... extra 40% off sale at LOFT, tons of new markdowns at both J.Crew Factory and Nordstrom (this dress especially caught my eye and my favorite basic t-shirts {size down} are 50% off!!). There's also a big Nike sale going on at my very favorite Nordstrom Rack. Yee haw.

And that's all she wrote - over the course of 3 summer days.

Have a wonderful weekend!!