Hot Weather Eats or Snackapalooza

In the summer, the kids eat around the clock.  We don't stick to our normal schedule as much, and therefore eat a lot of "snacks".  I think Soleil's middle name might be snack, as she constantly asks for one.  Here is a few things we have been noshing on.  Because of the heat, I try to use the crock pot as much as possible.  This is also allows us to eat at any time, keeping the food warm for later eaters.  

This salad is from Panera, and one of my favorites.  I took a photo so that I might make it at home.  (It hasn't happened yet.) 

 Chicken+Romaine+Strawberries+Blueberries+Pineapples+Pecans+Mandarin Oranges+Dressing

 Tomatoes+Basil+Fresh Mozzarella Pearls+Cucumbers.  I added celery as well, but it doesn't go.

Is it only the FIRST week of Summer?

We have been sooo busy and done so many fun things, that it definitely feels like Summer.  I am thrilled to have both kids home, and it is a great distraction from the fact that the moving truck comes in TWO DAYS.

Swimming in the cold water hot tub.  

(Tate came up with the idea and it has been used daily in the 95F heat!)

Girls Night Out with Roxanne.
We had dessert at the local Dessert Bar, and then we wandered around Rite Aid,
trying on nail polish like we were 14 years old spending our babysitting money.  

It was awesome.

Artisans Bakery; Portsmouth, VA
Yes, you have to drive through the tunnel to get there, but worth the trip.
It is only open during the week between 11-3, but they have REAL baguettes.  

 Children's Museum; Portsmouth, VA

When you make a summer rule of no screen time until after 4pm, no one even asks for it.  

Instead, they create their own library.  I can't believe how many hours they have played with this!  

 VA Aquarium; Virginia Beach, VA  

 He would stay at the sting ray tank the entire trip if I let him.

 We had a lovely surprise from one of the giant turtles.

 In the fairy garden under the Adventure park at the VA Aquarium.

Chesapeake Bay; Norfolk, VA

 We were so lucky to have our dear friends, The Miravites, come for a quick visit before our move.  

 Busch Gardens; Williamsburg, VA

Mr. Lemoncello

We are listening to this audiobook. It is sooo good!

Mr. Lemoncello's Library Trailer

The trailer will give you a better idea, but it is about a bunch of kids who are locked in a library and have to figure out the puzzles to win the grand prize from Mr. Lemoncello.  Tate, age 8, looks forward to listening to this every night after Soleil goes to bed.  He loves books and libraries and games, so it is perfect.  The author has a scavenger hunt available to libraries, and we really want to try and do it once we settled in our new home.  

Any book recommendations for kiddos??  I'd love to hear.

And on that note, we discovered an independent book store in Norfolk called Prince Books. (Yes, a few still exist!) 

Tate was thrilled, as it is cozy and perfect.  It has a little cafe, and as Tate noticed, it "has books we haven't seen before!"  They have a combo of indie titles, as well as popular bestsellers.  

It has that "Shop Around the Corner" feel.  If you don't get my "You've Got Mail" reference... Here are photos from the bookstore from that movie:

Soleil's Pink Tea Party

"I'm 4?  Today?  I'm a big girl now?"

After the kids ate, they went to the library and living room, where I pulled out all the pink, baking, and tea party books.  This worked perfectly, giving me a minute to set up the craft.

Craft activity--bead bracelets!

Many of the decorations came from the dollar store.  This is how I made the chair dressings.

 Use the stem of the faux flower to poke a hole, and then pull ribbon through the hole.  (I guide the ribbon through at the same time as the flower stem.)

 Tie a knot.

 Poke flowers through in a cluster, and you are done.