Turtles, Ducklings, and Scooters...Oh My!!!

 

We have been having some awesome weather here in S.J. so last week the kiddos and I decided to head to our town park. You wouldn't know it but we have a pretty beautiful park complete with a lake and all the creatures that go with it!

 

My little foodies!

So it's been a while since I have entered the blogging world...4 months to be exact. It was a crazy end of the school year and a crazier summer! But we are not slowing down for a minute.

 

From our family trip to Williamsburg (pics to follow) to residing our house to all the daily activities that come with a 4 and 6 (almost 7 yikes) year olds. It's been a little stressful in the Holland household, but we are having fun too! And, I do have so much to share!!

One of the activities that my kids requested to do was to make our very own banana ice cream. It looked super easy when we saw it on Disney Jr so we thought we would take a chance at it.

Step 1. Cut up the bananas

Isn't she the cutest little helper???

 

Step 2. Put all the cut up bananas in baggies and throw them in the freezer for a while

 

 

The longer you keep them in the freezer the better.

Our first attempt was only for a few hours and they just weren't ready.

 

Step 3. Put the frozen banana slices in a food processor and let it do the job!

 

 

 

 

Step 4. Enjoy!!

 

 

 

This was a super yummy treat on a very hot July afternoon!!! The kids added some strawberries and loved it! It melts fast so eat immediately!

You can find the link to Disney Jr and their awesome kid friendly recipes from That's Fresh HERE

Playing in the Park!

I love nothing more than discovering new places with my kids and our friends. While Smith Memorial Playground isn't new, it was new to me.

Smith house, nestled in the eastern side of Fairmount Park, was built in the last 1800's for the youth of Philadelphia. The idea was for all the children of the city to have somewhere to go and play and be kids! What a beautiful concept and a wonderful donation from the Smith family. Oh and did I say it's free??? Yep, it is!

And boy is it fun even 113 years later!

 And the best part in my opinion...the giant wooden slide!

 

 

As I was attempting to take pictures as the kids came down the slide, sorry about the blur, there was a beautiful grandmother watching her daughter and grandchildren. Me, being me, somehow started a conversation with her. When I told her this was our first time there and that I had never done the slide before she was insistant that I "take my first trip down the slide". Now how could I go against a grandmothers wishes...especially after she told me how she did this as a child on the very same slide.

We didn't get a chance to head inside but I hear it is great too! Honestly, this was a great day. I love Philly but this didn't feel like we were in the city at all. We brought our lunch and made a picnic out of it. Simply a great time!

 Check out all you need to know about Smith here

Summer Lovin'

One of the best things about growing  up in New Jersey is being so close to the shore. It really is so easy to just decide to pack up and head down!
I've done this my whole life. In fact my great-grandmother lived right on Rt. 9 when I was a little girl. We would spend many summer days and nights with her and drive to Stone Harbor, Avalon, Wildwood, or Cape May!
Now, as a mom, I have a great group of friends that will form a small village on the beach as we watch our kids play in the sand and the water together. It's great to spend time together.

This was our first trip to the beach this year and the kids loved it. I can't wait to many more days in the sun, having fun watching my kids.

{side note~my Nan was the best. We loved spending time at her place. She would feed us until we couldn't eat another bit. We would help her with her mini-farm and selling the produce at her stand. She loved to laugh and talk with us!}

Playdate fun

There is nothing like a great playdate with great friends. Especially when the host has a backyard wonderland complete with chickens! Yes I said chickens!

We had such a wonderful time...we have started this summer off right. Thanks Tracey for the day and the special treats! Can't wait to see what other adventures will come our way this summer!