No More Pencils, No More Books...

It's official- Summer is here! The 100 degree Texas weather proves it. Kids are all out of school, the days are longer and the weekends are all about BBQ's, pool parties and just LIVING OUTSIDE!

This summer I want what most moms want- My family to have fun, relax from all the hustle & bustle and make memories that will last a lifetime. Unfortunately all this has to be done on a budget.  Activities are scheduled around fairs, fests and as being guests to invited parties & events.  The backyard pool is a wet cool sanctuary that the kids will live in.  Hours will be spent on the computer and watching Netflix.  It's during the summer, that the kids will participate in reading challenges at our local bookstores and learn new hobbies. This year its going to be cross stitch!

This Fun won't make front page on Instagram and the pictures of the kids wetting the trampoline down with the water hose probably won't get very many likes on Facebook.  But as a busy mom of three, there aren't major vacations for weeks on end to Cancun or Disney World.  A 20 mile distance camping trip will be our getaway. We will spend our weekends at our local lakes swimming, fishing and hanging out with good friends.  There will be many nights in the backyard gathered around the fire pit roasting marshmallows and listening to country music.  Mom & Dad will get up and go to work most days and the kids will sleep till noon and stay up all night. It's Summer after all.  Bedtimes are out the window, rules are few & far in between and we just enjoy life. That doesn't come with a price tag or travel agent.

Chi, Chi, Chi Chia

By now you have all probably heard about eating Chia seeds for health/diet benefits.  I believe the first time I heard about this new fad, I was lounging by the pool last summer watching the kids argue in the pool, when the overly chatty life guard divulged her dieting secrets to me.  Needless to say, I thought she was crazy.  I mean, honestly...who wants tiny green fuzz growing out of them?  Not me. So that was the last thought I gave to the crazy idea.  Then hearing about it earlier this year on a rather popular talk show gave me another pause- for craziness.  This all changed however today while searching the health food aisles at the grocery store for some protein bars.  I came across a bag of Chia seeds (Enter the Chia Pets song here).  Hmmm...this is what I had heard about and had been ignoring for the last year.  Thirty minutes later I purchased my first $15 dollar bag of Chia seeds.  I can not wait to get these puppies in my system and see just how full they make me feel.  The added promise of energy and shiny hair couldn't hurt either.  My goal now is to just figure out creative ways to incorporate them into my diet!