I am excited to get back to sharing our top family picks for you this week. AND, I am excited for the weekend! We are still running around, feeling out of sorts because we still aren’t settled in our new house and life here in Virginia, so I will likely try to hang a lot of art and curtain rods this weekend.
In between the work, I’ve got my eye on some fun summer things: county fairs, peach orchards, and pool time. Hopefully you are enjoying the summer days with your family. I don’t subscribe to bucket lists or checklists when it comes to enjoying a season (I don’t need all that pressure in my life right now, this post perfectly sums it up), but I do love the opportunity to relish these long days and warm nights with the kids.
In case you missed it, this week we shared on Instagram that we have booked our next BIG international trip (although there will be plenty of weekend getaways until then, some that will be new experiences for us, and one will be heading out to a world athletic event that is within driving distance…I seriously doubt you could guess this one!).
We also shared a full and comprehensive guide to Internet safety and screen-time balance that took months to compile. We hope it helps you out.
But anyways, onward to gear, thoughts, and things that our adventure-loving family is enjoying this week.
*Please note that there are affiliate links in this post. Thanks for your support!*
Our Favorite Instagram of the week on FamilyTripMag:
Our Family Friday Five Roundup includes:
1. This cookbook by A Beautiful Mess. I am trying desperately to control something in my life, and I figured diet was about all I could get a grasp on. I love the photos in this book and the healthy approach of moderation they advocate. I don’t usually buy cookbooks (because Pinterest exists) but when I do, I want them to be beautiful and inspiring…like this one!
2. Kids summer movie specials at the movie theaters. I know, I know… it’s the summer of Toy Story 4 and Lion King CGI… but as we confessed, we aren’t really movie (or classic Disney, gasp!) people. We will watch the movies at some point, but we don’t get excited enough to pay the costs for the theater experience. For us, movie-going is a rare treat; the theater is the fun but the movie matters less to our particular family. So I love that major theaters do second-runs and offer the tickets up for a discount. Alamo Drafthouses across the country are bringing in special PBS Kids movies (check if there is one close to you, the program is offered at more than just those few stations listed in that news release). AMC has summer movie camp, Regal has a summer movie express, Cinemark has a summer movie clubhouse…these are great, fun ways to beat the heat! Have you been yet!? What movie did you all see?
3. Formula 303. I have been dealing with a lot of neck pain since the 4th of July weekend. They call it my neck “going out,” but it is very much “in” my awareness. But I really hate taking medications, especially for pain control. (Lots of reasons for this that are probably another full article.) When my chiropractor recommended this homeopathic muscle relaxant I was doubtful, but oh my gosh, it really does work!
4. These earrings. I can not remember where I first saw them, but every single time I wear them I get complimented. They seem a perfect smash of classic and trendy (if that’s possible). Plus, they go with 90% of my tops.
5. This article on the movement against overtoursim in The Econmist is fascinating. And I don’t know the answer. I want experiences at all of these sites to be genuine and pure, but I want access to them for me and my kids. As I’ve broached before, there is a reason why major world sites are popular and wind up on these “bucket lists.” They are worthy of being seen. But how, then, do we fight against the overtourism?
Anyways, back to summer + kids, here are two great posts we did last summer that you may find useful:
Have a great weekend and remember that the best trip is a family one!