Well, here we are—June. The kids are officially out of school, and the weather? Hot, hot, hot. The question now becomes: how do we keep them busy without totally breaking the bank? The answer, my friends, is simple. We live exactly where people spend money to vacation. A beautiful beach town, full of activities and hidden gems we often overlook because, well, we’re not tourists. But maybe we should be—at least for a day or two.
That’s what we did. I played tourist with my husband Scotty and our son Porter, and we had a blast in Ponce Inlet. From parasailing 500 feet in the air to a dolphin and manatee cruise, we had one of those days that make you appreciate where you live all over again. You can read all about our day trip in Scotty’s column on page 15. Spoiler alert: we’re already planning to go back.
SURVIVING SUMMER (ONE SNACK AT A TIME)
To all the other working moms out there—I see you. Summer is officially ON, and so are the snacks, sunscreen, and “I’m bored” complaints. But we’ve got this. Keep ‘em hydrated. Keep ‘em entertained. And most importantly, keep your sanity. It takes a village, so lean on each other. We’ll survive… probably.
On a personal note, both of my kids just graduated from Burns Science and Technology Charter. Bailey is heading into 8th grade (13 going on 30, of course), and Porter is turning 10 in July and moving into 5th grade. So yes, I’m in the thick of it with you. Solidarity.
THE ICE QUEEN’S HOT NEW RIDE
Speaking of kids and fun—my longtime friend and fellow boss woman Tina (aka The Ice Queen) has a new gig in town: The SandWitch Truck. If you’ve never chased a food truck down the street while yelling “WAIT!” now is your chance. Catch her on the beaches and streets near you, and read more on page 13.
LOVE IS IN THE AIR
Speaking of special announcements, I recently got to help pull off a big one. My best friend Randie got engaged! While I didn’t see the actual proposal on the beach, I had the absolute honor of helping her fiancé (also named Scotty!) decorate their favorite corner at Toni and Joe’s Patio. After he popped the question, he brought her there to celebrate with a glass of champagne and close friends. It was simple, sweet, and totally perfect.
I feel so lucky to be in love and to have found my person—and watching two people you adore begin their forever is such a joy. Scotty and Randie, I am beyond excited for everything that’s ahead. Bring on the celebrations!
Cheers to summer, sweaty sunscreen hugs, and saying yes to parasailing and proposals.
XO,
