Summertime makes me feel fine!

We are having a super summer here at the Jackson household! Crossing off tons of fun things from our summer list! Such as camping with cousins, farmers markets, pool, swim lessons, hiking in the woods, seeing movies, fireworks, going to the OBX with friends and family, swinging as high as we can, riding bikes, painting, making cookies, picnic at the bay with daddy, dancing!! Still tons to do but loving every minute!! 

Hope you all are enjoying summertime!

I ran (so far away)

Finding motivation to loose this extra 10 ok 15 lbs from my youngest has be a challenge..but I can tell you every.single.possible. excuse you could ever image! Well for some reason I have finally found it! Call it being-at-the-pool-everyday-with-super-inshape-mom itis or just sick and tired of spending 20 minutes in my closets to find something to fit... I started a  personal challenge.. #30workoutsin30days, and am tracking it thorough instagram, taking pictures of my workouts daily helps me keep my focus. I am also participating in the #45milesinJuly challenge from The Haus of Girls.. It feels great to see myself accomplishing this! I feel better and make better decisions all day long when I start with a workout!! 

Tips I have found helpful:

1. proper equipment, shoes, apps on phones(not necessary-but helpful) I like being able to keep track of how long, fast and appropriate calories burned..I use the nike run app, my husband swears by the runkeeper+ app

2. do a little research and find the food the will fuel your body, just like a car we will not operate as well without proper fuel..and hydration

3. MUSIC I have found that music makes my workouts.. and everyone is motivated differently! for example I like Taio Cruz-Falling in love gets me sprinting, Nicki Minaj -Starships and Kelly Clarkson Already gone gets me started..and the MR works out best to rap and techno?!! Find your own beat and start running!! 

 4. find somewhere to run that you enjoy!! For me I enjoy running along water and what a view I have!!

Teachers touch the future. ~Author Unknown

I seriously can't believe my little dudes last day of kindergarten is TODAY!! He has an adorable graduation planned for tomorrow but TODAY is the last day of kindergarten. As I sit and type this post, I just am flooded by emotions.. I am so glad were we ended up, as we struggled with our decision between homeschool, moving to a better school district and private school, we landed at CSA for a reason.  I will be the first to admit it isn't a perfect place, and we I have struggled with certain things and would totally keep him in a bubble  am learning to choice the battles I fight for him. This last week has been one of the best weeks we have had as a family and I am so thankful for this past year...I refuse to even think about first grade....at least for a few months...we are really looking forward to many lazy beach, pool, nothing days that summer will bring!!
Well to thank our wonderful teachers we bought them new lunch bags, reusable cups filled with lemonade and gift cards to there favorite places...but I wanted to make something a little special.. here is what I came up with.

 

family memories

 These are the weekends memories are made from...this was probably one of our favorite 4 day holiday weekend as a family, spent we wonderful friends, great food and amazing weather! It is moments like these that put everything into perspective for me...life is GREAT.. I have so much to be thankful for. As I watched Eli march in our local Memorial Day Parade with his school I was hit by a wave of gratitude for those who serve to protect us. Thank you!

JUBILANT JACKSON'S!

Strawberry picking with friends..

We went strawberry picking today and it was so much fun!! The kids loved running up and down trying to find that perfect strawberry.. and of course stopping to taste test..

 we ate A LOT of yummy strawberries

 they were amazing

 such fun friends!

 Here is the first usage of our strawberries..

 

on to strawberry jam and strawberry shortcake! Happy Saturday!

Weeknights are often crazy hectic at our house. They tend to be a rush of homework, that last intese burst of energy to whining, crying and exhaustion (on my behalf:)) and dinner just seems to muddle up the craziness even more! I am a huge believer in family meals and whole food meals..but often don't have a lot of time or energy to whip it up! I have put a lot of thought into this and here are a few options we have been trying to reach our healthy, whole foods goal without a tons of mess and time!

1. Gotta love Trader Joe's pre packaged whole wheat pizza dough... we usually have pizza or calzones once a week.. topped with TJ organic tomato sauce seasoned and thickened, pepperoni, cheese and other veggies laying around. I side pizza with a large salad and tons of fruits - esp this time of year.
2. Whole wheat pasta with organic pasta sauce and organic turkey meatballs with fresh steamed broccoli that's a fav of mine right now!
3. Now that it is summer-like we have started grilling!!WAHOO the clean up is GREAT! We do a lot of Grilled grass fed, free range chicken and tri-tip lately! With some grilled asparagus and salad! yumm

Its challenging to find foods everyone will eat and enjoy that are healthy..but it is so wonderful to sit down to a yummy and healthy meal with the family and chat about the day...without having a huge mess to clean up!! - But I also have a husband who cleans the kitchen!!:)

Shared spaces...

So due to some family changes coming up in the next month we are tossing around the idea of E and M sharing a room... I shared a room with one sibling or another for the majority of years I lived at home.. and I always enjoyed it... here are some thoughts of room ideas...

 

great fabric for window treatments

how sweet is this fox to accompany the bunny

    fabric clouds.. awesome maybe a few fabric or painted trees

The live in peace sign is the inspiration for the room both in color and theme, although I want to change from birdy to bunny... all pictures can be found on my pintrest page