My 2017 Summer Bucket List

Hey gang,

Summer is so close I can almost taste it! 

There are so many things I love about this time of year:  sun-kissed skin and cotton dresses and trips to the strawberry patch.  I love sitting on the porch swing eating popsicles while the littles run through the water sprinkler in the front yard.  And this year my own sweet girl will be running through those sprinklers.  I just. can't. wait!

I want to make the most of this summer.  So I've been working on a Bucket List of all the things I want to do!  Some are geared specifically towards little ones - like making homemade playdough!   But I like to think that most of these things would be fun for all ages.  Because who doesn't love a good blanket fort and building sandcastles?

2017 BUCKET LIST

• Host a wine night
• Swim in a lake
• Have a living room dance party
• Jump on a trampoline
• Swing on a tree swing
• Stargaze in the middle of nowhere
• Make a blanket fort
• Grow lavender in a pot
• Reconnect with an old friend
• Drink fresh-squeezed lemonade
• Spend a day at the beach
• Build a sandcastle
• Pick strawberries at the patch
• Bake a fresh strawberry pie
• Take a boat ride
• Go tubing
• Play in a water sprinkler
• Make homemade popsicles
• Stomp through rain puddles
• Play a board game
• Make a flower crown
• Plant a butterfly garden
• Create sun art
• Finger painting
• Visit an aquarium
• Picnic at the park
• Have a pillow fight
• Take pictures on a disposable camera
• Say yes to an unexpected offer
• Send a handwritten letter
• Give an unexpected gift
• Listen to country music
• Take a road trip to anywhere
• Read a book
• Go on a date with my husband
• Book a couples massage
• Plan a cookout
• Sit out by the fire pit
• Play with sparklers
• Watch fireworks
• Tailgate with friends
• Go camping
• Roast marshmallows over an open fire
• Go bowling
• Sign up for a charity walk
• Take a break from social media
• Watch a sunset

Whew!  That's all I have for now - but I'm sure I'll be adding to the list as the days go on.  In the meantime, what are some of your plans for the summer?  Are there any special summer traditions that you can't wait to share with your family and little ones?  I want to hear all about them in the comments below!

With love,

Lace

A Trip to the Zoo

Hi guys!

Saturday was a little crazy for our family.  We had friends visiting from out of town and I shot a portrait session around noon to get a little more practice time in.  In the middle of our busy day, Luna fell down the stairs.  Thankfully she's okay and only has a scrape around her eye.  But it was a scary moment and a reminder for all of us that things can happen in an instant.

After all the chaos, we really needed some down time as a family.  I also wanted to take advantage of the beautiful weather on Sunday.  A trip to the zoo was just what we needed!

This was actually Luna's first time at a zoo!  And while it was important for me to get a few photos, it was even more important that I be present and enjoy the day with my family. 

One of the coolest things we saw were the peacocks.  I've seen peacocks before but for some reason I was really in awe of them today!  Maybe it was because I've never seen one fly into a tree and hang out there - what?!  Their feather tails are so gauzy and ethereal.  They really are like something from another era.

Unlike me, Luna wasn't a big fan of the peacocks.  At one point, we were picnicking next to the tree where they perched and one cawed pretty loud.  Poor Lu burst into tears and was completely inconsolable for a good five minutes!  She was also a little wary of the giraffe.  It tried to gobble up her hand as she held out a carrot and I could not stop laughing!

Probably my favorite part of the visit was when we gave Luna a piece of popcorn to feed the billy goats and she ate it herself instead!  It was such an endearing moment and made us laugh which we definitely needed!

After a few hours, it was time to go home.  But we had a great day and I'm glad we got to spend the time together as a family. 

What are some ways that you unwind with your family?  Are you excited that summer is just around the corner?!  Tell me all about your plans in the comments - I could use the inspiration!

With love,

Lace

P.S. I owe a huge THANK YOU to my husband for snapping the photos of me and Luna together.   I could not believe how well some of them turned out!  Actually, the ones he took were better than pretty much ALL my photos, ha!  Although in my defense, I was really caught up in the moment and completely focused on how adorable Luna was in her overalls ;)