This Weekend.

This weekend was a wonderful first weekend of summer. Friday evening we went over to a friend's house for a birthday BBQ and didn't get home until after 10pm. Once of my best friends stayed the night with us and we chatted until the wee hours of the morning, catching up on both of our lives.

Saturday morning we headed over to Emma's last T-Ball game of the season. It just amazes me at how quick the time flew by. They were pitching the balls to the girls and Emma hit two out of the three innings that they played.

Saturday afternoon we headed over the the Woodburn Drag Strip where we met up with both of my aunts and uncles as well as my grandpa. All of them live in different directions about four hours away from us and it is a very rare occasion to see them all...and together. It makes me so happy to see everyone together - to all be family. It especially makes me smile inside to see my children sitting there with my grandpa - their great papa. Knowing how short life truly is, I really appreciate these moments spent together, even if it is once a year.

Today we all stayed at home and did nothing. That in itself is a rare occasion, and today we were celebrating Father's Day for Wayne since I had to work last weekend. We sat and watched movies, drank mimosas, and this evening we BBQ'd filet mignon and asparagus on the back deck and sat outside and enjoyed the first Sunday evening of the summer season.

It's finally beginning to feel like summer around here and it's my goal to cherish every second of it with my family. This weekend was wonderful.

~Melissa

Create.Simplify.Inspire. #73

Today marks one week into our summer break already, can you believe it? Emma's last T-ball game is Saturday and then we just have Anika's games for a couple more weeks and her little lamb FFA project. I am really loving the idea of just having my kids and hanging out around the house completing little DIY projects that have been put off for one to many years. It was always so hard to get things done when I had babies, but now that they are older I feel like this is really the first year that they can all play together outside while I work on things...and in fact if you follow me on Instagram you already know that my friend and I started one project yesterday, and I'm crossing my fingers that I can get it done today! 

What are your summer DIY's that need to be done? My list is a mile long... :)

This link up to to share anything and everything that inspires you. 

           ~Melissa

Create.Simplify.Inspire. #73

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Sunshine, Softball, and Sunscreen

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Last weekend was absolutely gorgeous! Saturday Emma had her T-Ball game at 10 am, Anika had her softball game at noon, and then we helped our friends in a parade. It was extra hot on Saturday and by noon I was already beginning to feel sticky, but no matter what the weather is, I wouldn't miss these games for the world. I don't know about you, but as a parent it is one of the cutest things to see the little girls up at bat and running the bases. We are far enough into the season now that the coaches will pitch 3 or 4 balls to the girls before having them use the stand.

Her games are approximately an hour long, but Anika's can sometimes go for two hours, so we always pack a lot of stuff to keep the other kids fed, hydrated, entertained, plus we keep Banana Boat Sunscreen ready to protect their skin. Anika has really fair skin like I do so we absolutely have to bring it with us. There is such a huge variety of Banana Boat Sunscreens to choose from, but currently we have the Kids Free SPF 50 Clear Spray, which is fantastic to use when you're in a hurry (To whomever created spray sunblock; I thank you!) We also use the Protect and Hydrate Lotion. I also began buying Wayne some Men's SPF 30 Clear Spray Sunblock since he works outside all day long everyday and needs to protect his skin as well.

 This video was on my cell phone, so the picture quality isn't as good, but this is what happened at the second inning. 

She was so proud. 

You can find all of those Banana Boat products in the summer section at Walmart as well as a Sport SPF 50 Clear Spray, Protect & Hydrate 50 Spray and Men's SPF 50 Lotion.

There is also a really awesome Wheel of Fun contest going on at the Banana Boat Facebook page where you could win some great prizes like a trip to Sea World, Disney World/Land, or a Six Flags Amusement Park!

In addition you can have the chance to instantly win $100 through Walmart.com HERE.

Even after softball season ends, I'll still probably keep a gear bag in the back of the Expedition filled with summer snacks and sunblock so we will be prepared to have the #BBBestSummer ever!!

~Melissa

Field Trip to the Moda Center and Willamette Jet Boat Excursions

Exactly one week ago I chaperoned Anika’s 5^th grade class on an all-day field trip to Portland. It was actually a field trip for all three of the 5^th grade classes – between kids and chaperones we were quite a wild bunch walking around in Portland.

We were all dropped off at the Moda Center and all had a behind the scenes tour of the building – as well as all of the normally off-limits Blazer’s areas.

I had no idea that under the floor of the Moda Center is a refrigerated system that allows ice to be created for hockey games. I also didn’t know that they keep the floor iced during the basketball games and they actually place the basketball court on top of it, and that the court is almost like a gigantic jigsaw puzzle with each piece weighing 200 pounds.

We toured all of the levels in the Moda Center, including the suites as well as a private bar/suite that is open for the player’s friends and families.

Then things got really exciting for the 11 year olds as we got to see the Blazers locker room, and the kids go to sit in their favorite player’s seat. We then migrated into their shower room and all of the kids noticed how high the towel racks were – and the shower heads which were 8 feet high. They were all in awe.

On a side note, I've never seen so many ‘selfies’ being taken – ever. I never realized how many kids had smart phones at that age. I guess my daughter really wasn’t exaggerating every time she begged me and threw a fit when I told her she couldn't have a phone yet because she’s too young.

After we finished our tour we all walked down and hopped on the max towards the river. Imagine 85 kids and adults on there – many of which had never rode it before (yes, we are from a small town J) Let’s just say that I think we intimidated some other passengers enough from getting on with us!

Our next adventure was the highlight of my afternoon – a jet boat tour of Portland’s bridges through Willamette Jet Boats. Our guide was simply amazing. If you ever go ask for the guy with the beard – seriously! I had never been on a jet boat before and wasn’t quite sure what to expect, but it was seriously the most fun I’ve ever had on a tour – and then magnify that by 40 kids freaking out next to you!! We sat in the second row from the front, which proved to be the place to be if you wanted to get soaked! Our large group split up into two boats and had fun racing each other and doing spins and ‘sudden stops’ on the water – from a speed of 40 miles an hour, which resulted in water absolutely everywhere! When he braked quickly all you could see was a huge wall of white water waiting to topple down on you.

I was so glad that I got to experience this ‘first’ with Anika, and this is definitely a tour that we will do again someday.

When we were finished we all loaded up onto the buses to head back to our small town.

It was a field trip that no one will soon forget.

~Melissa

Cute Bridal Shower Gift Idea with My M&M's

“I participated in an Ambassador Program on behalf ofMillennial Central for MY M&M'S. I received product samples to facilitate my review and to thank me for my participation.”

A couple of weeks ago I shared that one of my good friends is getting married this summer and how I was going to do a little something special for her prior to her big day. I decided to get her some personalized My aM&M's for gifts to give at a shower that I will be holding for her. I had never ordered personalized M&M's so I wasn't quite sure what to expect - but I think they turned out great!

They give you plenty of options for customizing your order, including three different color choices and wording, clipart - even a photo option which I thought was really fun! 

Since my friend is a country girl at heart and love all things camouflage and pink camouflage, I decided to get her My M&M's in white, pink, and dark pink. They arrived in a handy insulated bag with ice packs and even though I know how many pounds I ordered, it sure seemed like more when carried in the box! When I opened it to take a peek at them I couldn't help but eat a couple (handfuls that is!) and had to stop myself from eating way more than I should!

What I did was purchase little clear plastic bags to place the treats in, and they even sent me a very handy scoop to divvy them out with - each bag got three scoops. I had tried to find pink camouflage ribbon but didn't have any luck, so I improvised with pink ribbon along with traditional camouflage ribbon. 

I always love creating little gifts and favors for people and I think that when we do have the bridal shower these will be a bit hit! I just have to figure out where to hide them from the kids (and myself!) before then.

  

Have you ever hosted a bridal shower before? This will be the first time for me… and I’m fairly certain it will be an intimate casual party filled. Do you have any tips to share?

 ~Melissa