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Summertime With Kids: Let's Talk Motherhood

Motherhood is one of those things no one can ever really prepare you for. That's why a supportive mom community is so important. I love how social media has opened up my life to a whole new group of amazingly supportive women who genuinely care about one another. Although we might not all agree on everything in motherhood, we know that we all love our kids and want the best for them, and that's what's most important.

Motherhood is one of those things no one can ever really prepare you for. That's why a supportive mom community is so important. I love how social media has opened up my life to a whole new group of amazingly supportive women who genuinely care about one another. Although we might not all agree on everything in motherhood, we know that we all love our kids and want the best for them, and that's what's most important.

I was so excited to be asked to be part in this month's Let's Talk Motherhood Series with a group of awesome fellow moms. We have all answered a few questions about summertime with our littles, so check it out below. Links to each post can be found at the end.

1. What are your favorite summertime activities with your little ones?

Hands down my favourite thing to do with my kids in the summer is spend time around the pool at my family farm. As a long time swimmer and lifeguard I am so happy that all 3 of my littles love the water. Our farm is a place that the kids can run wild and have lots of unstructured time outdoors. When we're not in the pool we love to go on walks to pick wild flowers, check out the cows in the neighbouring fields, and of course enjoy bon fires with s'mores.  

 
 

2. How do you help keep your young ones cool when it's hot outside?

It can be really difficult to keep little ones cool and hydrated when our heat advisory days arrive. When we're at the splash pad or poolside it's easy to wade in the water to cool off, or sit in the shade of a big tree, but if we're headed out on a long summer day trip around the city I always plan ahead and freeze water bottles or juice boxes in the deep freeze the night before. The frozen drinks stay cold late into the day and keep the rest of the food/drinks cool. The cold water bottles can also be applied to the back of the neck/wrist, or poured over a piece of fabric as a compress to help cool someone off if need be.  

Stay tuned for an upcoming post on Summer Safety With Kids focusing on Preventing, Recognizing, and Treating Overheating and Dehydration. 

    3. How do you handle having less time in the summer, since your kids are out of school?

    With all 3 kids home full time for the summer I find having a mix of structured time, and vacation/go with the flow time, is important. I want my kids to enjoy the carefree days of summer. The slow days where you get so bored you create the best game or invention ever. That's what I remember loving about summer. This year we have our big kid in Camp a few weeks scattered throughout the summer, plus I have some occasional help from local babysitters for my 2 littlest. Ultimately, I have to slow down my community offerings during the summer months, so I can keep up with the kids. 

    4. At what age were your kids when you started taking family summer vacations with them?

    We took our first babe on a road trip to our farm when he was only 3 weeks old, and have never looked back. We try to spend about 3 weeks each summer at our farm, we also go on an annual back country camping trip (Learn about Camping With Kids Here & Here), and we always love getting away on local adventures. My husband and I love to travel, but we probably won't be going on any big fancy trips anytime soon with 3 littles in tow and a tight budget. Hopefully as the kids get older we'll be able to plan more elaborate family trips again. 

    5. What tips would you suggest for new moms traveling with their little ones for the first time?

    Read my Travelling with Tots Series. Hahaha...no seriously. Although it doesn't contain everything you need to know about travelling it has a lot of tips that I have learned over the years. Travelling with kids isn't like a pre-kid vacation, but it can still be wonderful if you go into it prepared and with realistic expectations. When all else fails, lower your expectations ;) 

    Hope you enjoyed hearing my take on summertime with my littles. Don't forget to check out these 4 awesome moms to hear about their perspectives on Motherhood in Summertime. 

    McKell lifeasmrswilson.com (@mckellwilson)  |  Aurora auroramccausland.com (@auroramccausland)   |  Jenn whatyoumakeitblog.com (@whatyou_make_it)  |   Hannah mundanemummy.com (@_hannahsilver_)

    What's your favourite thing to do in summer with your kiddos? I would love to hear in the comments below. 

    Care 

    IN THIS POST: 

    Anchor Studio: Photo with kids at top (Julia Salk Set Stylist)    |   Rollo Towel: Roundie Towel     |   Tiny Trendsetter: Chambray Bonnet & Saltwater Sandals|    Diaper-eez: Motherease Swim Diaper & Swim Trainer *10% off code: Withcare   |    Sakura Bloom: Linen Ring Sling      |    I Angel: Grey Chevron Hip Seat Carrier   

    *This is not a sponsored post 

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    Welcome To The West End True North Sports Camps! Enter To WIN A Week Of Free Camp + 30% OFF Registration!

    It's hard to believe that it's already time to start thinking about summer, but it'll be here before we know it.

    It's hard to believe that it's already time to start thinking about summer, but it'll be here before we know it. I'm typically the parent who hears about summer camp registration in the winter, but then gets busy and forgets to actually register. When I do get around to it, most programs are crammed full with waitlists or unavailable on the weeks we want. So this year when I heard that True North Sports Camps was coming to the West End, I decided to jump on it and get my big kid all signed up. Yay for checking things off my to-do list! Plus I asked them for a discount for my friends and followers, and they were super generous. You're welcome ;)

    I had heard of True North Sports Camps before, from some friends in North Toronto who had sent their kids and loved the programs, but it was too far away for us. I hadn't found any comparable program in our neighbourhood for this season, so hearing that they were extending to the West End in the summer of 2017 was perfect. They offer Multi-Sport and Baseball camps for kids ranging in age from 4-14, and focus on a pressure free environment that emphasizes sportsmanship, teamwork and fair play. All things that our 5 year old could use a little help with, as I'm sure most kids can. They also offer extended before and after care, which is essential for so many busy families.

    If you're looking for a great Sports Camp for your little camper this summer, check out True North Sport Camps and use Code TrueNorth57 for 30% off Registration at their West End Camps. Plus Enter for a Chance to WIN 1 Week of FREE Camp! 

    Simply comment below with your name and email address for a chance to WIN! (alternatively you may comment below and submit your email address to info@fifty-seven.ca for entry). Plus make sure to check out our Facebook page & Instagram feed for 2 more ways to enter! 

    Contest is open to all residents of the Greater Toronto Area and closes Thursday February 16th 11pm EST. A winner will be chosen at random and announced within 24 hours. *Prize must be redeemed for services at True North Sports Camps West End Location

    I'm in disbelief that it's only February and we're all set for camp. I'm feeling pretty proud of myself and Ben is so excited he's started a countdown. I'm sure that won't get old anytime soon ;) 

    - Care

    *This is a sponsored post which means I was provided compensation and/or product for this post. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.

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    Simple Summer Tomato Salad

    Dinner prep can be a tough time of day for many families, ours included! Everyone is tired by the end of the day, and the task of planning, prepping & cooking a meal with kids at your heals can feel overwhelming. Our Ben (3 y-o) has taken to asking "Is dinner ready yet?" "Yes Dinner's Ready!" "It IS Ready!" ...

    Dinner prep can be a tough time of day for many families, ours included! Everyone is tired by the end of the day, and the task of planning, prepping & cooking a meal with kids at your heals can feel overwhelming. Our Ben (3 y-o) has taken to asking "Is dinner ready yet?" "Yes Dinner's Ready!" "It IS Ready!" Imagine this sequence on repeat over and over while you prep & cook a meal. Super fun times ;) We've tried to involve him in food prep and cooking as much as possible, but with his 10 month old sister in tow it becomes a bit chaotic to say the least. 

    In order to keep my sanity and avoid episodes like this I focus on quick easy things to prepare so we can have dinner on the table at a reasonable time before anyone gets hangry. We want to make sure we get lots of healthy whole foods in our diet, so keeping it simple ensures this actually happens. 

    In the summer months one of our family's favourite healthy side dishes is a Simple Tomato Salad. Our good friends Lesley & Mike introduced us to this recipe a few years ago, and we make it at least twice a week, usually at Ben's request. It's that good!

    Now that our beautiful grape tomatoes are all beginning to turn a bright red it's even more exciting.

     

    This recipe takes mere minutes to prepare and only takes a few ingredients, making it ideal for a busy family and a perfect light addition to any BBQ.

     

    You don't need exact measurements for this one, so have fun with it and make it to suit your tastes. 

    Enjoy! Hope it becomes one of your family's favourites too.

    - Care

    Simple Summer Tomato Salad

    Ingredients

    • Grape Tomatoes
    • Fresh Basil
    • Feta Cheese
    • Balsamic Vinegar
    • Olive Oil
    • Pepper

    Instructions

    1. Wash grape tomatoes and cut in half
    2. Wash basil and chop roughly
    3. Place tomatoes and basil in a bowl
    4. Crumble feta on top
    5. Add freshly ground black pepper to taste
    6. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar & olive oil
    7. Toss & Serve
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