What’s Up Wednesday, ya’ll!

If the Pumpkin Spice Latte debuted yesterday, does that mean that it’s officially fall?  May have been 96 degrees (1,000 degrees in the sun) today, but I’m ready for college football Saturday, apple cider donuts, and all things fall to appear!

To share all things I’m loving, doing, and demo-ing, I’m linking up with Shay, Shaeffer, and Mel for a What’s Up Wednesday today.  So here’s what’s up with the Kemper crew today…

What We’re Eating This Week

This spring, we planted cucumbers in the far corner of our yard and SHOCKINGLY, they grew!  I really wasn’t even checking them much because I had very little faith in their location, but my gardening buddy, Jacks, found some a few weeks ago and I’ve been devouring ever since!  (If you’re looking for advice on how to get your little ones in the garden with you, check out 5 Tips to Get Kids in the Garden TODAY!)

Cucumber Salad Recipe

1/3 cup white vinegar

1 tablespoon sugar

3 cucumbers, sliced

1 medium white onion, sliced

Dill weed, to your taste

Mix all ingredients in an airtight container.  Place in fridge for several hours to allow all ingredients to marinate.  So fresh and so yummy!

What I’m Reminiscing About

Funny thing about this category…I misspell reminiscing every. single. time I type it out here.  Like right there in the last sentence, still misspelled it. 🙂 Thank goodness for spell check!

So back to it.  Even though I’m all about getting into the fall season, like, immediately, I’m still very much sad that summer is ending for us.  I made a Summer Bucket List at the start of May with 100+ things we were going to conquer this summer and we really did hit every single one of them.  We had a summer to remember, three months of daily adventures, and the time of our lives together.

What I’m Loving

I just got back from a weekend stock-up trip to Target this weekend and I splurged on all my favorite beauty products.  Every one is priced so reasonably and almost always under $10.  How is it that I didn’t come out under $200? 🙂 Check out my favorite Target Beauty Buys here!

I also just purchased Dr. Wang Herbal Rescue Balm from Amazon for both of the boys.  If you’re a parent to a little one with eczema, I’ve read AMAZING reviews on this product.  It is developed by a dermatologist and an herbologist, was winner of 2017 Good Housekeeping Award and is safe for kids to use, too.  All things solid in my book!  I’ve tried so many products for my boys’ dry, irritated skin and I’m so hopeful for this product.  I’ll do a post soon if I find a great remedy that helps relieve their ezcema issues!

What We’ve Been Up To

Well besides all those pictures above, we are two dumpsters deep into our main level remodel.  The demo is just about done now and the drywall is to be started up this weekend.  It’s been so exciting ordering all my fixtures, picking out the final design pieces, and really making those large decisions on the spot, in front of a bunch of experienced contractors, with no one to bounce ideas off. 🙂

Oh hey bigger and better kitchen! 🙂  See where that wood floor cuts in at the bottom of the picture?  That’s how wide our kitchen was prior to this remodel.  Eeeee…it’s getting bigger and better before my eyes! 🙂

What I’m Dreading

I never want to say I’m dreading Back to School time because that’s silly.  I’m so ready for Jacks to grow and develop and succeed this year, to send him off to learn more, play, gain friends, and experience life, but can’t I just keep all our summer slack days for a little while longer?  He officially starts next Thursday so check back for all the photos this mama can take as we see him off for another year of preschool.

If you’re looking for a great Back to School sign for those first day pictures, read my post HERE and just how we do Back to School right here!

What I’m Working On

Getting everything back to normal. 🙂  As I explained, I have been super busy getting ready for construction to START that now I’m beginning to slow down, get my life back, and get back to my little love Growing Up Kemper.  I’ve been working on my editorial calendar and have some super fun topics I’m really excited to share with you in September.  Keep coming back because this lady is BACK! 🙂

What I’m Excited For

Hi fall!  Welcome back you sweet little devil!

What I’m Reading

As I’ve talked about in so many of my What’s Up Wednesday posts, I love a great devotional to start my day, center myself, and prepare for the day in the face of God.  I just purchased this book called, “How’s Your Soul? Why Everything that Matters Starts with the Inside You.”

Don’t you love it when you can’t wait to finish one book to get to your next?  Ahhh…cold weather, blankets, and a good book.  Do we even need anymore reasons for the fall season?

My Favorite Back to School Tradition

I’m going to take a section out of my How We Do Back to School to answer this one.  Fun breakfasts to start every big day! My go to this year is a stack of adorable mini pancakes.  A great breakfast to start to day off with positivity, love, and great conversation is my very favorite tradition.

Guys, we’ve got this Back to School season in the bag!  Keep calm, carry on, and don’t forget to take care of yourself. 🙂

 

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