Hello Summertime - Have Happy On Hand

This shop has been compensated by Acorn Influence, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone.

The kids and I are feeling those summertime vibes and we are gearing up for some fun in the sun! One of my goals for 2020 was to create an outdoor space that we love in my backyard. Well, 2021 is here and I have to say, I am super excited to share the space we will be enjoying all summer long as well as some yummy treats I have stocked up on for those hot summer days.

Hello Summertime – Have Happy On Hand

Summer is all about fun and we are ready! I started a new job a month ago and I am so thankful that I will still get to spend a lot of time off with Jude and Teagan. As much as they are doing the countdown to summer break, you better believe I am too! I do not see us doing a ton of traveling this summer but I do think we will be enjoying a lot of time in our backyard. No matter what you have planned this summer it is key to Have Happy On Hand! Are you ready?

Excited To Use Our Newly Updated Outdoor Space

I never shared my newly updated backyard patio space last year after I had it done but today it is time for the big reveal. It may not seem like much but you can see in the photos that I now have a large patio that includes a space for some tables, chairs and a fire pit. Last summer this became one of my favorite updates to my home. Not only did this patio addition get rid of a terrible amount of rock and weeds but it created a space for us to gather as a family!

I have hopes of adding some solar lights and a hammock as well this summer. I cannot wait to get outside with the kids and enjoy this patio space! Memories will be made!

Dreyer’s Ice Cream At Sam’s Club

Have Happy On Hand! Yes you! When the sun is out there is nothing better than a pool day followed by ice cream treats! This is the perfect time of the year to stock up on some of your family’s favorite Dreyer’s ice cream treats at Sam’s Club. I like to have a variety of treats on hand in the garage freezer. Makes it so easy to grab a treat for the kids while we are outside.

A few days ago, I took Jude and Teagan to Sam’s Club and we did our ice cream stock up shopping. It was an unusually hot day so we transported them home in Sam’s Club Freezer bags, and when we got home we popped them open and indulged in a treat!! Ice Cream before dinnertime!! WHAT?? Oh yeah…feeling that summertime vibe!

Some Of Our Favorite Treats

You can see we picked up some yummy treats. My kids love these snacky little Drumstick® Mini Drums™ and I love the Haagen-Dazs® Vanilla Milk Chocolate Almond Ice Cream Bars. And for the days we want something other than ice cream we always have the Outshine® Fruit Bars in the freezer too.

The Drumstick® Mini Drums™ are the perfect treat for kids. I love having them on hand for those days that Jude and Teagan just need a sweet and cold bite-sized treat. I remember the first time we got the Drumstick® Mini Drums™ and how excited they were to see mini sizes of one of their favorite desserts.

I love the Haagen-Dazs® Vanilla Milk Chocolate Almond Ice Cream Bars and let me tell you a little secret, I enjoy these while the kids are sleeping! HA!! A little extra treat for mom after a long day of parenting. We all need treats like this on hand – find your summertime happy!

The Outshine® Fruit Bars are the perfect dessert to have on hand for when the neighborhood friends are all playing outside. I like to break open a box of these and let the kiddos share the yummy fruit bars made with real fruit with their friends. Hot summer evenings in the front yard enjoying a refreshing fruit bar with friends – memories made!

No matter what your favorite hot day frozen treat is, Sam’s Club has you covered to make sure you Have Happy On Hand all summer long… and at the best value! Make sure you take advantage of Sam’s Club “Order on-line, Pick-up at Club” services. A perfect option for frozen treats because they go right from Sam’s freezers, into your car and to your home freezer!

Get Outside!

As the kids get older and screens seem to be involved in nearly all of their activities I am finding that I want to make time every day for them to be outside. I will be the first person to admit I am not a fan of super hot weather unless I am in the pool or at the beach. That being said, one of my favorite things to do in the summer is to be outside after the sun isn’t as intense. Evenings outside before it gets dark is the best and a great time to get outside and enjoy sometime with the family.

Experiences Over Things!

I think it is also super important that I teach my kids about the importance of experiences over THINGS! Look, these kids have so many THINGS! Time to put those away and enjoy the moments. The memories over sweet treats by the fire. The memories over a game of cornhole in the backyard. Memories of just being with the people you love. Summer, we are ready for ya!

What To Add To Your Outdoor Space

As you start to plan for your summertime fun outdoors make sure you add these items to your list!

Firepit
Dreyer’s Ice Cream treats from Sam’s Club
Outdoor games
Portable speaker for music
Solar lights to extend your time outdoors

Ideas To Engage With Your Kids Outside

As parents we often wonder how to best engage with our kids. How do we stay involved in their activities? I will be honest, I didn’t think much about this until I was the only adult in the home and I needed to be able to engage with both kids at once. What I enjoy doing is asking each kid what they want to play or do and then we all three enjoy each other’s choice. It is a great way to get both kids to play with one another and for me to stay involved with them both at the same time.

No matter how you do it – make sure you take the time to put the phone down and enjoy the moments this summer with you kids.

Favorite Lawn Games and Activities

We have a lot of fun in our backyard and it is because there are few games and activities that we really enjoy.

Sidewalk chalk is a must!
Cornhole – bean bag toss.
Volleyball net.
Inflatable pool.
Water balloons for those super hot evenings.
Jump ropes, basketballs, footballs, kickballs – oh my!

Bring On Those Summertime Vibes!

Time to get outside, enjoy these moments and find some time to enjoy a little sweet treat this summer! Visit Sam’s Club for all of your sweet treat needs! #HaveHappyOnHand #READY.SET.SUMMER!