Them 3 & Me

There are so many ways to teach our children, but I truly believe some of the greatest lessons are learned by serving others.

This past Sunday, our family had the opportunity to volunteer with The Back-to-School Giveback in Savannah, and we had such a great time. It meant a lot to let our girls be part of something bigger than themselves, to see firsthand what it looks like to give back to the community. Even our youngest wanted to jump in and help. ❤️

One thing that really stood out to me was watching interact with the kids. She mentioned several times that she had a flight to catch, but every time a child stopped her for a picture on the way out, she paused with a smile and made time for them. Those little moments matter.

We're grateful we had the chance to serve alongside so many wonderful people. Thank you to everyone who helped make the day special! Special thanks to one of the girls' new favorite person TT-Teacher The NIL Momager lol..and to the foundation for investing in the community. Keep up the amazing work! 💙

Last but definitely not least our family Alex and Niyr Candle Co love you guys lots🥰 What a time!

Some people see 10 kids and think...

"Absolutely not." 😂

We see 10 kids and think...

"Who's bringing the snacks?"

Because the right friend won't count the kids... she'll count the memories you'll make. ❤️

Find your people... the ones who hear "10 kids" and still say, "Let's go!"

"More kids. More snacks. More noise. More memories." ❤️

💛 **Summer fun doesn't have to break the bank!**

One of my goals this summer is to show that you don't have to spend hundreds of dollars to make unforgettable memories with your kids.

This adventure cost us little more than the gas in our tank!

🦖 We started at our local library for a FREE dinosaur puppet show as part of their **"Unearth a Story"** summer reading program.

💦 Then we headed to **Denny Dobbs Park in Covington, GA**, where the kids cooled off at the FREE splash pad (currently open **Friday–Sunday from 10 AM–4 PM**).

🧺 We packed lunch and enjoyed eating it on the lawn before letting the girls burn off the rest of their energy on the playground.

That's an entire day of family fun without spending money on admission tickets, expensive attractions, or eating out.

✨ My encouragement to every parent: Check your local library's summer calendar! Libraries all over are offering FREE family events, crafts, shows, and activities throughout the summer. Pair one of those events with a local park or splash pad, pack a lunch, and you've got an amazing day your kids will remember.

Sometimes the best memories aren't the most expensive ones—they're simply the ones spent together. ❤️

📍Local Resource:
🦕 Check your local library's Summer Reading calendar for FREE family events.
💦 Denny Dobbs Park Splash Pad (Covington, GA): Friday–Sunday | 10 AM–4 PM

FamilyFun LibrarySummerReading UnearthAStory SplashPadFun MomLife HomeschoolLife FamilyAdventures KidsActivities Them3AndMe

One of my favorite things about cooking with my girls is watching them grow, not just in age, but in confidence. ❤️

When I created this recipe for the Kid De Cuisine cookbook, I intentionally used frozen waffles so even my youngest chefs could successfully make breakfast with minimal help.

But now that my two oldest are getting older and can confidently read recipes, I gave them a new challenge: making homemade waffles with Vicky Cakes®️ Pancake Mix waffle mix before everyone assembled the waffle sandwiches.

Once the waffles were ready, my younger girls jumped in and followed the cookbook, using the fresh homemade waffles in place of the frozen ones.

I love that this cookbook can grow with your family. Younger children can follow the simple, picture-based recipes, while older kids can build on those skills by preparing more of the meal from scratch.

It also gave us the opportunity to support another woman-owned small business. We love using Vicky Cakes because their vegan, dairy-free mix is a great fit for our family, and it's always a joy to celebrate businesses that make cooking more inclusive.

Best of all, all four girls were able to work together to create one delicious breakfast. 💛

Sometimes the recipe isn't just about what's on the plate, it's about making memories, building confidence, and learning that everyone has something to contribute! 🥰

This summer, I decided to do something different.

Instead of planning every activity for my girls, I asked them what they wanted to do this summer. I handed them each a piece of paper and a pencil and told them to create their own "Summer Bucket List."

The result? They're so much more excited because these aren't just my idea, they are their ideas. They feel involved, they're constantly looking forward to the next activity, and it's given them something to anticipate all summer long.

Now, I know some kids (especially older ones 😅) might fill their list with amusement parks, vacations, and expensive outings. That's okay! You can always set a budget or give guidelines that fit your family.

My girls are still young and absolutely love crafts, cooking, parks, and hands-on activities, so most of their ideas were simple, inexpensive, and for some, easy to do at home.

Sometimes the best memories don't come from spending more, they come from letting our kids have a voice in creating them. ❤️

Have you ever let your kids plan part of their summer? What would be on their bucket list?