Rye Beach, 2018

Ocean waves and giggles are a wonderful way to spend a summer day!

We are the type of family who like to wake up early, leave early and arrive early. We like being one of the first ones there. Not because we have to be there first, but because we like the quiet. We enjoy easing into the water without anyone splashing you or screaming their heads off. That's why we enjoy Wallis Sands at Rye Beach, New Hampshire. You do have to pay $15 parking, but the beach is right there... no walking 5 miles with all your stuff. There's also bathrooms, lifeguards, picnic tables and a place to wash the sand off yourself. We brought our canopy and cooler full of snacks. We spent four hours there... making memories and enjoying the waves!

So thankful for her big brother! He always make things fun for his little sister.

Building sand castles together...

These summer days stay in my heart...

Daddy taking a dip...

Holding on tight as her brother rides the boogie board.

There's something so relaxing about having your legs in the ocean waves. Feeling that cool water go trickling around you... sand between your toes and the breeze in your hair.

Let's try sitting this time...?

Daddy and his baby girl, enjoying the view.

My girl in her element... once a beach baby, always a beach baby!

Wild roses...steal my heart!

The beautiful colors of the beach... til next time!

xoxo, Arianne

Rye Beach info here:

Wallis Sands State Park

Echo Lake Beach, 2018

Our trip to Echo Lake Beach in Lincoln, New Hampshire every year reminds of what a beautiful place our state is. It also reminds me of how incredibly amazing mother nature is! The view is stunning...the lake meets the gorgeous mountains! Every year I look forward to this trip: we make amazing memories, my pictures always come out great and we are always in awe of the view.

Perfect example of memories made! The kids were so happy that they brought their boogie boards along. They paddled along side each other...splashing and laughing. 

Memories trapped in my heart forever!

The heavens above shining down on my little angels. It was such a magical scene!

Trying her best to pose for mama. She refused to wear a real swimsuit this summer. She says they are too tight...so 4 shopping trips, 3 swimsuits and 2 weeks later...she was finally happy with a sporty skort and t-shirt as her swimsuit!! Hopefully it's just a phase, but she still looks adorable.

As life should be...me sparkling with my babies! They give so much light into my life...I love being their mama!!

Our superman...daddy! Thanks for lugging our stuff, setting up the tent and umbrella, playing with the kids and relaxing with your wife! <3

My girl in her element...always be a water girl. I'm praying she won't grow up and move away to some island somewhere...lol.

Oh no Jake...what happened!

Giggles near the beach house. Hold it in my heart! The colorful floats were so fun, I had to get a picture with the kids!

Bye Echo Lake Beach...until next time! Thank you for the beautiful memories and pictures!

xoxo, Arianne

Learn more about this beautiful beach here:

ECHO LAKE BEACH

LILACS & PUPPETS

A little learning, a little fun!

We started our day at the library learning all about our state flower: the lilac.

My obsession with lilacs has carried on to my children and they were curious to know more,

A lovely lady from the International Lilac Society came and did a slideshow about lilacs.

(I didn't even know that existed...becoming a member asap;))

She told us where lilacs originated in New Hampshire...Little Harbor, Portsmouth 1775.

She told us about all the different colors lilacs come in.

She taught us how to care for lilacs. How to mulch them, how to prune them.

She told us about the state's effort to plant more lilacs and wild flowers around the interstates.

She also mentioned that you can request up to 12 lilac shrubs for your land...for free!!

SO EXCITED ABOUT THAT...keeping that in mind!

She told us about that New Hampshire Farm & Forest Expo that happens every year. Typically happens in Febrary. They hold a lilac photo contest every year as well. Any age can enter. 

More info here: www.nhfarmandforestexpo.org

Kids got this cute lilac activity book to take home. I tried to find a download on their website, but I didn't see one. Here's a link to some lilac coloring pages you can print out:

http://www.supercoloring.com/coloring-pages/purple-lilac

We played around the library for a bit before heading home.

*MY SUNSHINE*

After the library we had lunch and went to the playground. After quiet time and dinner, the kids sillies came out and a puppet show was made.

The chef and the mermaid...making silly cooking fun!

I love their imagination. their magic!

Fills my heart...Arianne

LINK // http://www.internationallilacsociety.org/ 

10 Family Traditions For The 4th Of July With Free Printable!

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

10 FAMILY TRADITIONS FOR THE 4TH OF JULY

WITH FREE PRINTABLE!

By Arianne Plehandzic

The 4th of July means doing fun family activities!

Even back in the prairie days, families would gather in the town square to enjoy some 4th of July celebrations. Watching the parade, listening to the band play, picnicking, drinking lemonade, firing the canons, waving the flags and having bonfires. Though we still enjoy these traditions today, we have some new ones made possible by modern conveniences. 

Our family traditions grow a little every year, but we always make it fun.

1. MAKE RED, WHITE & BLUE WIND SOCKS AND BOHO FLAGS!

TO MAKE THE WIND SOCKS:

1. Let the kids pick out either a red, white or blue piece of construction paper.

2. Glue one inch strips of corresponding color construction paper on the top and bottom of their original paper.

3. Then let them paint with stamps on their paper using red, white and blue kids paint.

4. Allow to dry; then staple into a round tube.

5. Hole punch two holes on the top to add your string or ribbon.

6. Staple long strips of tissue paper or ribbon to the bottom of the tube.

7. Hang outside to enjoy!

HOW TO MAKE BOHO FLAGS:

1. Using a craft stick, staple large ribbon and lace in red, white and blue colors around the stick.

2. Tightly tie a string or rope to both ends of the stick to hang. 

OPTIONAL:Hot glue the string on the ends so they won't slide off.

2. MAKE CONFETTI POPPERS!

HOW TO MAKE CONFETTI POPPERS:

1. Decorate a toilet paper roll; you can use wrapping paper, markers, paint, crayons... whatever you wish!

2. Tie a knot on a  balloon that has not been blown up. 

3. Cut off the tip; stretch the balloon to fit over one side of the toilet paper roll.

4. Use tape to keep the balloon on the roll.

5. Fill the inside of your toilet paper roll with confetti or tiny pieces of paper.

TO USE:

*Gently pull on the balloon knot with the opening of the toilet paper roll facing the ceiling...and let go! The confetti will come flying out!! Fill back up and reuse.

3. MAKE AN AMERICAN THEME WINDOW CRAFT!

 

HOW TO MAKE AMERICAN THEME WINDOW CRAFT:

1. Give the kids one laminate sheet. 

2. Have them open the laminate sheet.

3. Let them use a black permanent marker to write a festive word or two.

4. Give them pieces of red, white and blue colored tissue paper... star confetti... glitter and pieces of lace to decorate.

5, Carefully laminate the sheet and hang in the window!

4. MAKE A BLUE AND RED FRUIT SALAD!

*Make a fruit salad using strawberries, blueberries and bananas!

5. MAKE CROISSANT WRAPPED HOT DOGS!

*We live in an apartment and we can't grill here. So we were so delighted to have a fun alternative! 

Buy refrigerated croissant dough. Wrap the dough around the hot dogs and bake on 350 degrees for about 8-10 mins. Fun and delish!

6. MAKE A 4TH OF JULY CAKE WITH WHITE FROSTING AND FRUIT -OR- M&M'S!

HOW TO MAKE WITH FRUIT:

1,Use a vanilla cake mix or pound cake mix, make as directed. 

2. Frost with whipped white vanilla frosting.

3. Decorate with fruit to look like an american flag!

HOW TO MAKE WITH M&M'S:

1. Use a chocolate cake mix; make as directed adding some m&m's to the batter.

2. Frost with creamy white vanilla frosting.

3. Sprinkle the frosting with red, white & blue m&m's!

7. MAKE 4TH OF JULY PUNCH!

HOW TO MAKE 4TH OF JULY PUNCH!

1. Fill glass 1/3 full with cranberry juice.

2. Add ice cubes.

3. Add 1/3 full with lemonade.

4. Add blue kool-aid to fill to the top!

8. WATCH THE FIREWORKS & PARADE!

9. DO SPARKLERS, POP-ITS AND GLOW STICKS!

*Of course always be safe and have fun! We enjoy having glow parties before bed on the 4th of July. We put a fun concert on our dvd player and we all dance around with our glow sticks...so fun!

Btw- Katy Perry concerts is one of our favorites...especially the 'FIREWORKS' song!!

10. GO TO THE BEACH, GO CAMPING OR HAVE A BONFIRE!

*Plan ahead and do something adventurous! Leave early in the morning for the beach. Reserve a camping spot a few weeks ahead of time. Or just enjoy a local bonfire at night. Many farms and some state parks have a fun bonfire going on with s'mores for dessert!

**NOW FOR YOUR FREE PRINTABLE!**

**RIGHT-CLICK, SAVE AS AND PRINT!**

(Please remember that this printable is for PERSONAL USE ONLY!)

HAPPY 4TH...HAVE FUN!
XOXO,Arianne

Find us on Etsy, Society6 & Spoonflower!

ETSY:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/LilacFarmsStudio

SOCIETY6:

https://society6.com/ariannesjoy

SPOONFLOWER:

https://www.spoonflower.com/profiles/lilacfarmsstudio