After a weekend full of fireworks, bonfires, and food, I had to share my latest creation. This time I skipped the strawberries and used bananas instead!
Of course, it’s s’mores related.
Since everyone loved the Whole Strawberry S’more, I knew the S’mores Banana Boats would be a hit.
So, let’s talk about the obvious, the strawberry s’more looked a lot cuter than this.
It’s not easy taking pictures of bananas.
What you can tell from this picture is how ooey gooey this campfire favorite is. Once you have one bite, you’ll go back for more!
This campfire treat is perfect for those who don’t want to sit and hold a stick. Just have some tin foil handy, wrap it up, and throw it in the fire.
Here’s all you’ll need…
Bananas
Chocolate
Marshmallows
Foil
Tongs
One thing I’d suggest is to buy mini marshmallows. I thought I had some, but instead had the huge, flat ones. Don’t fret if you don’t have minis. You can easily tear them apart.
To start off, take your banana and slice it longwise down the middle.
You can stuff the chocolate and marshmallows in there tightly. I ended up taking some of the banana out to make some room.
This lessened the mess!
Then, I wrapped it in aluminum foil and placed it in the fire.
I’m not sure if the exact amount of time I had it in the fire because I kept checking it. It was probably around eight minutes.
Pretty much, you just want to make sure the chocolate gets melted and the marshmallow gets a little gooey. It probably would’ve taken less time if I hadn’t kept checking in on it!
Once it’s done, let the foil cool down, grab a spoon, and enjoy.
Like I said, it’s not the cutest thing to take a picture of, but this S’mores Banana Boat is absolutely delicious.
The next time you’re around the fire, try it out. You won’t be disappointed.
What’s your favorite campfire treat?
Before you go, check out what others moms across the Internet bring for their families to snack on while camping.
It’s the weekend and time to celebrate. If you’re looking for the Easiest Fourth of July Drink, you’ve found it here!
All you need is two ingredients and you can make it kid friendly too.
This yummy drink doesn’t taste like a mouthful of alcohol and has the extra sweetness of the popsicles.
All you need are these two things:
Smirnoff Ice Red, White, and Berry
Popsicles (preferably the red, white, and blue rockets)
Yes! That’s it.
All you have to do it pour your Smirnoff Ice in a cup. Then dunk a popsicle.
It always makes me feel like a kid again when I incorporate parts of my childhood. This drink is NO different.
Believe me, the kids will want to join in too.
A perfect substitution is using Sprite or ginger ale with a popsicle. They won’t feel like they’re missing out at all. If your child is anything like Mila, she’ll want to do a cheers.
I figured I’d share a funny story about trying to make these and take pictures.
When I went in my freezer to grab the popsicles, the box was empty. Mila has been sneaking and eating them the last few days. Thankfully she’s thrown the wrappers away!
At this point in the game, it was impossible to find the right popsicles, but others taste just as good.
Just another instance in toddler life!
We hope you enjoy your Fourth of July weekend. I can’t wait to share our adventures with you all.
What’s your favorite red, white, and boozy drink?
Before you go, make sure to check out these other holiday drinks by my mom friends!
I can’t think of a better way to start the month of than a DIY sign. Especially when a three year old is doing all the heavy lifting! With the Fourth of July right here, it seemed fitting to do a patriotic Stars and Stripes sign.
On Pinterest and Instagram, I’ve been seeing so many cute, patriotic signs. I knew Mila and I had to make one too. When I went to Joann Fabrics last, a wooden sign was calling out to me.
*I’ve looked all over Joann Fabrics’ website and Amazon to link the sign. There’s nothing comparable, but something still could be in your local craft store. Whenever I go, there’s a multitude of wood signs! Plus, you might find something else you like more!*
Unfortunately, I got too excited to actually take pictures of the plain wood. I painted the outside of the sign blue. Then, red and white went on the ‘stripes’ in the middle.
I just used craft paint and it worked fine!
Usually, I set up Mila’s activities and projects when she’s asleep or working on something else. When she saw me painting, she was not happy with me! She didn’t understand why she wasn’t painting either! Oops.
I promise the next part makes up for my apparent painting betrayal.
After the sign was dry, I laid out her part of the activity. She requested we use light blue in the sign too… which was a fantastic choice.
It always amazes me how she creates art. I have no idea what her method is, but it always turns out so cute.
She ended up layering all the star sizes and blended the colors. I love how some of the stars turned out ombré from navy to light blue. The pops of light blue are actually my favorite.
Since the sign wasn’t huge, it didn’t take too long to fill the inside up.
I went back and forth on adding words or something on the blue ring of the sign. Eventually, I decided it was perfect how it was. I didn’t want anything to take away from the stars. Sometimes less is more.
If you can’t find star cookie cutters, sponges would be an amazing alternative. We haven’t used sponges to paint a ton, but it’s on our list this summer!
I am SO happy with how our DIY Stars and Stripes sign turned out. It’s proudly hanging on our front door now.
My favorite part is just making art with Mila. It’s something I’ll always treasure.
The next few days will be ones to treasure too! I’m excited to see her react to our community’s festivities and fireworks. As a child, I loved being around my family for the Fourth and hope Mila does too. Check out her second Fourth of July here.
I hope you have a fantastic July as well!
Do you craft or make signs for different holidays? If so, which is your favorite holiday to craft for?
All you need to do is dip your strawberry in the marshmallow fluff. This is a little more difficult than I thought. The best way was to deeply dip the strawberry and twist. You can adjust how much marshmallow fluff gets on there!
Then, roast it like a marshmallow.
Seeing a strawberry roasting looked hilarious to me. It felt like I was roasting the biggest marshmallow ever!
Roast to your preferred marshmallow done-ness. I like mine slightly burnt.
The next part is MESSY… well it was for me.
Drizzle chocolate sauce over top the strawberry marshmallow combo. It might have been easier to dip it, but I just drizzled over a plate.
Now you’re ready to eat it!
Although I didn’t take a picture of it, I added crushed graham crackers to this whole strawberry s’more. It gave it the crunch that I love about s’mores.
Here’s a bonus strawberry s’mores idea.
Since I was just making random s’mores, I tried slicing strawberries and adding them to a regular s’more.
It’s a real game changer!
I loved both strawberry twisted s’mores, but loved the chocolate bar taste on this a little more.
Either way you make it, I’m telling you, add strawberries to your s’more agenda. It adds such a fresh bite to a sweet, summer treat.
Do you add any extras to your s’mores? Let me know in the comments.
When I think of summer, I think of the sun, pool, and occasional refreshments. One drink I’ve loved for years and looks like summer is the Tequila Sunrise.
Even if you’re not a tequila fan, this drink will win you over. The flavors from the orange juice and grenadine work perfectly together.
The only thing better than this drinks taste is how pretty it looks.
Now that I’ve sold you, here’s what you need:
1/2 ounce of grenadine
4 ounces of orange juice
2 ounces of tequila
Ice
Maraschino cherries *optional
To make this beautiful drink, shake tequila, orange juice, and ice together. Then strain in an ice filled glass.
Next, use a spoon to pour grenadine over. This way it goes to the bottom. It somehow feels like an adult science experiment. I love seeing the layered look.
Before drinking or serving, lightly stir to create the sunrise effect.
Then you’re done!
You can garnish with maraschino cherries, orange slices, or fondant flowers. I sort of just got lucky to have the extra pretties.
It truly is such a beautiful looking drink and tastes so good too. Since it’s only three ingredients and not a lot of prep time, it’s one of my go to’s! Plus… it’s an easy way to drink tequila.
What’s your favorite pool side drink?
Make sure to check out these other summertime drinks that you’ll enjoy!
One whole year of not feeling your skin on mine. No false promises that have slipped through my ears. A complete year void of you.
The seemingly impossible feat of filling that void seems a lot more possible now. Even when I saw the signs from you and felt that tiny second of longing, I remembered.
I remembered the mental and emotional abuse. The abandonment. Every terrible thing you brought.
But, I remembered something more important — me.
I remembered the long nights of healing. The comfort of family and friends. Everything wonderful I’d never get with you.
The seemingly impossible feat of filling that void was possible because of me. Even when I slipped, I remembered my growth, happiness, and her smile. Oh, I remembered.
One whole year of doing what was right for me. No false promises going through my head. A complete year full of my growth.
All you have to do is combine the three ingredients in a bowl. Then, mix them up.
Next, transfer to a popsicle mold. I got this cute one here. This part can get a little messy. Just make sure if you get it on the mold to wipe it off.
Last, pop them in the freezer and wait!
I left mine in the freezer for about six hours, but overnight would have taken the ‘hurry up’ feeling away.
This is quite the tasty treat. I love how refreshing it is. It also feels like an adult popsicle. I’m all for sharing with Mila, but there’s real ingredients and I can actually see the strawberries!
Hopefully, I’ll expand to using other ingredients this summer. If not, they’re still really good.
What’s your favorite popsicle flavor?
If you need some other popsicle recipes, check out these!
A few days ago, I shared an old letter to my Super Dad. I read a few parts of it to Mila and saw her smiling at the picture.
“He’s a Super Papa, don’t you think?”
“Yeah. He my Super Papa… but why?”
We’re head deep in the “why” stage here, so I wasn’t too surprised at this question. Instead of answering her, I turned that question back to her for the next few days. During that time, I’ve wrote down all the reasons Mila thinks her Papa is her Super Papa.
Swims in the pool with me.
Let’s me surf.
Walks.
Gives me ‘nacks.
Catching the moon.
Gets rocks.
Plays with me.
Go fishing.
Tells stories.
Makes me smile.
I give him a heart.
Everything that makes him super in her eyes is being present and there for her. After she would tell me her reason, she would tell me she loves her Papa and wants to go to their house.
As she wrote in his Father’s Day card, she sung, “I love my Papa Ridgway. My Papa Ridgway loves me. He makes me happy. This is meand this is him.”
I don’t know the true definition of a Super Papa, but I think Mila has it right.
Those important to you aren’t important just for one reason. It’s the millions of little things that let you know they care about you. The moments that she identifies him as super might seem like simple pieces to some, but are everything to her.
It’s the difference of making a regular man a Super Papa.
Happy Father’s Day to all the father figures positively impacting the kids in their lives. You help make the world go round. Good father figures need recognized and celebrated, especially today!
Thank you to any father figure who is putting the work in. It takes a village to raise a gold generation.
Summer season is upon us! I can’t think of anything more nostalgic than root beer floats to drink on a hot day. The kids love it. To step it up a notch for the adults, I add one more ingredient to make Boozy Root Beer Floats.
One of my favorite things about being an adult is putting a twist on my favorite childhood drinks. It seems silly, but it’s a lot of fun to taste. I imagine this is what all the adults did when I was a kid too.
Plus, when it’s only one extra step, it makes it a lot easier to do.
Here’s what you’ll need:
Root Beer
Vanilla Ice Cream
Whiskey (I used Jack Daniels)
Chocolate sauce *optional
Maraschino Cherry *optional
All you have to do is make it like a classic root beer float. I add the whiskey in first, then ice cream, and then the root beer. It feels like it mixes up the whiskey the best!
I also like to add chocolate drizzle and maraschino cherries to the top of my root beer floats too. It tastes so good.
This Boozy Root Beer Float drink will be such a summer staple. Mila loves drinking root beer floats too. So, I guess she’ll be motivating me to make them all the time!
What kind of childhood drinks do you like to put an adult spin on?
*This letter was originally written in 2013. I’ve been reflecting on fatherhood so much this week, that I remembered this letter and wanted to share it again. So my dad could be reminded of how much he meant to me then and still today.
It’s hard for me to think a ton of negative thoughts about fatherhood, because I have one of the best.*
Dear Dad;
When I close my eyes, I can easily imagine a few people. Most notably is my family. When I picture my mom, I see her smile and hear her laugh. It gives me a warm feelings. Logan’s picture in my head is him a football uniform. I sense a strong, but welcoming feeling. My dad is more complex. I picture a him smiling too, but much taller than he actually is. He is almost always busy with something, like in his work clothes or making me breakfast. It’s a very comforting and protective feeling. He is my Super Dad and not anything less.
Almost twenty-one years ago you and Mom began something magical. The two of you were in love and soon after your family grew. Even though I obviously do not remember being brought home or anything about my beginning years, I can only imagine how much your lives changed; it mostly brings a smile to my face. A little over a year afterwards, my baby brother was brought home and even though it was the end of our family, it was the start to my beautiful life.
This weekend, you went through a tragedy I would never wish on anyone. I hope I never have to lose Logan; he, just like you and Mom, mean the whole entire world to me. From Friday night to tonight, I have witnessed every single emotion I know develop and be acted upon through you. No one should ever have that much go through them at once. I am very sorry you lost your brother and I am even more sorry and sad about the pain you are going through.
I know I’m not the best daughter.
When I was much younger, I gave unlimited hugs and love. In my eyes you were my everything, along with Mom. Every spring when we got our bikes out, you retaught me how to ride again. You taught me so much, much more than you realize. Through your actions and words I picked up on good and bad, right and wrong, and I mimic your emotions.
As I grew up, I pulled away from hugs and wanted to distance myself so I could grow up. Just like you, I became stubborn and set in my ways. We always have to be right and there’s nothing wrong with that. Even though I did things you disagreed with, you would always stick up for me. I think that meant/means the most to me. You could’ve just said I was making dumb decisions to others, but you always stood up for me. Even if it was when someone made me cry or someone that doubted my decisions, you had my back. I’m sorry I tried to differentiate myself and rebel against you guys. It wasn’t anything you guys ever did, it was just me finding myself. When I graduated and went to college, I know it made you upset when I would text Mom first, but I did not do it purposely. I went to Italy and tried my best to talk to all of you. But when I moved back home, I feel as if it bought us all back closer than ever before. On the mornings where we eat breakfast and talk start my day off wonderfully.
Through all of this time, you worked to make Logan and my life better and comfortable. There are days where you will work well into the night, just to make sure we get what we want. You devote your time not only to your family, but it makes me so happy to see you spend time doing things you love. On Friday nights, you are so happy to be on the field. The people I graduated with to the football players now all respect you and appreciate you to no end. You have impacted their lives even in a small way. Sometimes I think you believe we take you for granted, but I assure you that is not true.
You are the most important man in my life and will always be; even though you think that won’t be true sometime in the future. The way you raised me has and always will impact and effect me and the things I do. When people tell me I’m a good student, worker or person, it is a direct reflection on your parenting. You’re more than just a parent too. I can talk to you, joke around or I don’t have to say anything if I can’t. You are hard working, caring and even though we can argue, you can make me laugh or smile anytime. My relationship with you is unlike any other relationship I have. I can’t imagine not having you in my life.
For selfish reasons, this weekend’s events have made me think about what would happen if I lost you… Honestly, I don’t know what I would do. I would not only lose my father, but one of my best friends too.
I just want you to always know I love you and I thank you for everything that I accomplish; without you I would be nothing. I promise to hug you more and call you first more. (Not just when my car breaks down on the side of the road.) I hope I never see you as sad and upset as you were this weekend. It really hurts me to see you like that, although I know those emotions are normal. Like I’ve said many times these past few days: I am so sorry.
I love you Dad and I promise I will always be your little girl.
Grey Skies & Rainbow Highs 