If you can't beat the heat ... stay in the water!

What a hot July it's been. Two weeks ago E had a week of all day soccer camp during the hottest week of the summer so far. Usually we see temps in the 100s in August, but this year that heat seems to have found us early. She handled it like a champ though ... and even managed to win a prize for speed dribbling during competitions. As soon as camp ended, we headed back down to the Jersey shore to meet up with family for a fun weekend. The heat hung around, so we hung in the pool.



I got to see my 3 yr old nephew swim his little heart out.


Last time he came to visit my house on Memorial Day weekend, he was still jumping in the pool with swimmies on. Now look at him.



He jumps in and swims without them. Just like the big kids. :)



Here he is with my sis-in-law (his mama). :)


It is super cute watching him try to keep his little head above water.


He is so proud of himself. It is just stinkin' A-dorable.


Uncle and K got fiesty in the pool.



K is about to be launched into the air.



In mid flight. (Fun, I remember my Dad doing this to me when I was his age. Sigh.)


And Nan and nephew share some moments in the pool.


Once Monday rolled around, and the weekenders head back home, that's when we like to hit the beach. (What can I say, I grew up near the beach and got spoiled when I learned that the weekdays on the sand and surf were slightly quieter.)


Another beach fort ... this time much closer to the surf ... so when high tide rolled in, they had a mini sand pool.


And of course ... they met more new friends to hang with for the day.



Tuesday we hit the bay side and rented some kayaks.



Wish I had some more photos. Photos of us actually in the kayaks. But I didn't have anything waterproof to store my iPhone in, so I left it in the car to be safe. So this is all I got.


Then we hit the boardwalk to get a slice of pizza and some ice cream. E wanted to ride the swings. Here she is with the Dad.

But it was way too hot on the boardwalk to stay for long. Besides there was no water! ;)

Pretty in Posies' Summer Sale continues, making Cherry Limeade

My Summer Sale is still going on! 30% off everything and anything in the shop! Just use coupon code Summer at checkout. Above is a new Mini Tri Cluster Felt Flower Hair Clip in Pretty Pastels. Or, if you prefer, have it made on a hair pin, like below. Don't you just love choices? Just about everything I make can be made with an alternate backing ... simply let me know what you need!


We've been back in the kitchen this week. This time we tried a simple fizzy beverage recipe found at She Wears Many Hats. I think I fell in love with her photography. Stunning!

The recipe looked like an easy one to do with the kids, and the best part, it was pretty much instant gratification. Kids like that. Me, oh, I can handle the wait. It's just the kids that have a hard time with that stuff.
Really.
really....
oh ok, I admit it.
I liked not having to wait too!


Some of the ingredients you will need. You can find the recipe here: Cherry Limeade.

E making the syrup!

K squeezing the limes.

Now they are both squeezing the limes.
A great stress reducing exercise, who knew?

I think the stress is gone, they look a bit more relaxed.



The syrup cooled, and we're adding all the ingredients into the pitcher.

And lastly, we add the magic fizz, club soda.

Garnish with a lime wedge!

And mmm.


mmmm. Good.

Cooking with Kids ...

We're really getting into this cooking thing this summer.



I had a busy morning and had to run out with the girlie, but whipped up a quick omelet for myself first. K saw it and wanted one even though he already ate breakfast. So while eating mine, I talked him through how to make his own.


He did all the work himself. And I love the fact that he's getting more protein in the morning, rather than so many carbs. And he is quite proud of himself to boot.

I got to actually eat my breakfast and wasn't late for our appointment ... and he got his omelet.

Check out these sites for more on cooking with children:
disney's family fun
cooking with kids
nick jr. -this site is best for the littlest ones
and of course Martha has a spot reserved on her website just for cooking with kids.

Let me know if you come across any good ones!

x0-jenn

Keep cool with this yummy dessert you can make with the kids!

We are always on the lookout for easy food recipes in the summer. The kids love to be in the kitchen whipping up new creations. We found this Watermelon Sherbet Cake on makeandtake.com.


You can get the recipe from the link above, but basically you add each layer to a springform pan/cheesecake pan (while freezing in between adding layers to set).


Her cake is so much more prettier than ours, but we did our best.


The taste testers thought it was delicious!



A new summertime favorite treat and easy enough for kids to make (as long as you don't expect perfection). ;)



Don't forget about my Summer Sale at Pretty in Posies! 30 % off everything in the shop with coupon code Summer!



And my latest layouts featuring some of the newest digital scrapbooking goodies from JessicaSprague.com.


Beach Days
Cosmo Cricket::
Salty Air Pattern Papers
Salty Air Elements
Salty Air Candy Candy
Lil' Girl & Lil' Boy Paper Pack

Queen of Quirk::
Old Boris Kit
You Are Here Full Kit


Extraordinary Ordinary
Not sure if you can see it in the photo, but just above the d and i in the word Ordinary ... is a hot air balloon peeking out of the fog.

In The Making Design::
It's Start Template 6
Retro Mango Paper Pack
Valpolicella Paper Pack
Valpolicella Elements Pack
Framed Elements Set

other:
Anna Aspnes:: Loopdaloop


Best Day of Summer
I used Elle's Studio Hybrid Summer 2010 Documented for this digital LO. I just opened the pdf in PS and used my magic wand to select all of the white background, then Inversed the Selection. I copied the selection onto a new layer... and basically had a png sheet of all the cute little elements to cut out and drag onto my page.

Elle's Studio::
Summer 2010 Documented - hybrid project
Ledger Love Circles
My Dear Papers

Splendid Fiins::
very krafty-the neutrals
@ the office supplies 1

Liv.e Designs::
I Heart Doodles 2

Queen of Quirk::
You Are Here Full Kit

Cyrstal Wilkerson::
IBSW Template 6 (for the stitches)

other:
Katie Pertiet's Marker Font

Destination DC Here's my page for the Speed Scrap.

In The Making Designs:
Budoir Solids Paper Pack

Cosmo Cricket:
Joy Ride Candy Candy

Queen of Quirk:
You Are Here Full Kit

Creativity by Crystal:
Office Supplies Element Pack

Jenn McCabe: Kraft Paper Cut Outs (This is the freebie I made for the May Speed Scrap)

Thanks for looking! xo jenn

Summer Days ... Beach Forts

Have I mentioned how much I love summer?

Beautiful days spent on the beach ... we love to get there early, before it gets too crowded, so we can stake out our location.

K is quite the champion of sand digging / fort making and always attracts a crowd of kids and adults. It doesn't take long for a little girl next to us to wonder over and offer her "help". ;) K always generously agrees to give up a small bit of control over his masterpiece creation by letting others join in to "help".

But before long, the control is all his again, because everyone, including his sis, head for the waves as the work gets intense. This kid does not mess around. When the shovel hits the sand, he means business.

Of course ... there are breaks for some fun in the water even for the great masters.

And time for lunch ... (but look at his face, I think his artistic gears are still turning and he's plotting his next moves with that shovel).

And sis goes for the fresh pineapple under the shade of the beach umbrella, since she scarfed down her sandwich at 11am.


Back to work on the beach fort.


I think he's happy with the depth, now to expand it outward.

And word is out ... every boy on the beach that day wanted to know who built that giant beach fort. You were a celebrity today! A pack of random boys begged you to teach them how to build one.


Shovels, sand and new friends. Life is good.

Don't forget ... my Pretty in Posies Summer Sale is on ... 30% off everything in the shop with coupon code Summer.