Summer Reading Challenge Pt 3

Another Summer Reading Challenge check-in down, one to go.  I'm shocked that that means summer is almost over (but I'm not sad, Fall is the greatest time of the year.)  So, let's do this.

Our Titles:

Planes Fly!  George Ella Lyon

Animals A to Z David McPhail (this is a no text picture book, fantastic for having your child name letters/objects)

10 Minutes till Bedtime  Peggy Rathmann

Ruby the Copycat Peggy Rathmann

Martha Calling  Susan Meddaugh

The Witches Walking Stick  Susan Meddaugh

Tell Me My Story, Mama Deb Lund

Marlene, Marlene, Queen of Mean  Jane Lynch

Doodler Doodling  Rita Golden Gelman

Swamp Angel  Anne Issacs

A Pukeko in a Ponga Tree  Kingi M. Ihaka

A Fine Dessert  Emily Jenkins (Kinsey's favorite of the bunch!)

And satisfied these themes:

For the last check-in I will need to include a book about colors, Dr. Seuss, one recently published, a summer story and a Little Golden Book to complete the list. Because a completed list is a love language. 

What was your favorite book for this check-in?

Linking up with Courtney, Elizabeth and Stephanie.

   
   

Where I'm at Wednesday

How is this the last week of July?!  I know it's been a busy month full of fun but that doesn't make it any less shocking that it's over.

We celebrated Brielana's First Birthday.

I feel like she was just born.  Guess that's "mom denial".

We checked some items off of our Summer Bucket List:

1. Day at the Beach
2. Made Strawberry Ice Cream
3. Made S'mores

I read 3 books: The Courage Tree  by Diane Chamberlain, The Ice Queen by Alice Hoffman and  Squirrel Seeking Chipmunk by David Sedaris (and the only reason I picked this out is because Ian Falconer (of Olivia fame) did the illustrations!  So bizarre and disturbing.) I want to read more of Chamberlain, she wove a great story.  And we already know how much I love Hoffman.  Let's be friends on Goodreads, shall we?

I haven't missed an episode of HGTV's Beach Flip.  That's pretty impressive for me considering I don't get much TV time.  And even if I have to watch it a few days later OnDemand, it's still a win!  I'm calling it now, Lucy and Daphne #SouthWind.

source

I have been on a fish-eating jag: tuna on my salads: 

And fish tacos:

And I've been channeling my inner Andrea, wearing a patterned ruffle tank with my TOMS.  I'm thinking this would also be a great Fall outfit with a scarf and boots.  

And fun patterned pants:

Gray is my new favorite neutral, it's not as harsh as black and brown makes me look off, for lack of a better word.

Looking forward to getting more items checked off our Summer Bucket List!  August, here we come!  But, I'll be missing that first-year-with-a-newborn-newness and milestones.  It was definitely wonderful while it lasted.

Linking up with Mel, Shay and Sheaffer.

   
   

Summer Lovin': Make S'mores

Hands down, my favorite summer dessert is S'mores; ooey, gooey, chocolate-y with a little crunch.  It has all the mouth feels and different textures make for the best combinations.  Of course, I've been known to enjoy them during the Fall and Winter too ;)  Basically, what's not to love?

To change things up a bit I Pinterested (that's totally a verb, right?) this glorious S'mores cookie recipe from here.  Let me tell you, these do not disappoint!  Make a batch and then get back to me. We can rave about them together.

Ingredients:

3/4 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup graham cracker crumbs
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 Hershey bars, broken
1 cup mini marshmallows

Directions:

Cream together butter and sugars; mix in egg and vanilla.
Add flour, graham cracker crumbs, baking soda and salt. Mix until smooth.
Stir in chocolate chips and chocolate chunks until well combined.
Drop by heaping tablespoons onto cookie sheet about 3 inches apart.
Bake at 375 degrees for 8 minutes. Remove and quickly press marshmallows into cookies. Return to oven and cook until done, about 3-4 minutes.

Enjoy!!!

Linking up with Beth.

   
   

11 + 12 Month Favorites

one/ two/ three/ four/ five/ six/ seven

This summer baby has been enjoying the sun!  I actually got this sunscreen in my Nurture Vox Box and love it! My favorite part is the sun- sensitive lid that turns blue to remind you to reapply.

The pink sun hat has been with us on all our adventures this summer.

I love classic books, so Baby Lit books are my jam!  I'm loving introducing my favorite characters to my little loves.

Brielana is a natural sorter, always putting toys into shoes, etc. so the shape sorter keeps her busy.  Plus, she likes chewing on the shapes ;)

For this being an "old" toy, Brielana is smitten!  She carries it around and dances to "The Farmer and the Dell" with her one arm waving in the air.

Brielana got this for her birthday from great gramma and it is on all the time.  The balls drop and scatter across the floor and she thinks the monkey is funny.  Bonus, Kinsey likes playing with this too, so they get in some bonding time. 

Linking up with Annie and Vanessa.