Two years with Olive; reflections, baking, beach days and a fun mothers day brunch idea!!

Hi! I'm writing this on Wednesday, just before we head out to DisneyWorld to celebrate Olive's second birthday. It's hard to believe she's already 2! Over the weekend, I found myself reminiscing, looking through photos from her birth and first birthday, and yes, shedding a few tears.

One of our traditions is baking together for her birthday. This year, she requested strawberry cupcakes, so we spent Saturday morning whipping up a batch. I used the Miss Jones vanilla baking mix, and the frosting was homemade. I used 16 oz of heavy whipping cream, 1 bag of freeze dried strawberries (pulsed in the food processor, and a dash of maple syrup). Here's a snapshot of us in action!

We spent the rest of the day outdoors, ending with a refreshing dip in the ocean with a bunch of our closest friends. The weather has been incredible to any chance we get, we are at the beach!

Living in Florida, I'm continually grateful for the healing power of the sea. Does anyone else feel that way?

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My plan for Mother's Day

With Mother's Day just around the corner, I've planned a day that celebrates both my role as a mother and the wonderful mothers in my life. The day starts with a Pilates class to get some movement, followed by a family trip to the beach (duh). If it’s my choice, we will always end up at the beach. During Olive's nap, I've scheduled a pedicure with a close friend, and we'll wrap up the day with dinner at one of our favorite healthy spots (either True Food Kitchen in Tampa OR Naked Farmer in St Petersburg)!

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Beach essentials we're loving 🏖️

As the Florida heat ramps up, our beach trips have become more frequent. Here are a few items that have made our outings smoother!!

• Mesh Beach Bag: This spacious bag has multiple pockets for essentials like sunscreen, sunglasses, and snacks. It also comes with a large mat, perfect for lounging. I have used the mat a handful of times at the park or just in our backyard. It’s really useful.

• Beach Blanket: This is a huge blanket, good for like 4-6 adults so it’s perfect for the beach, park or backyard!

• Nontoxic Kids' Sunscreen: We've been using this brand since Olive was 6 months old. They offer a variety of options, including sprays and balms.

• Beach Wagon: This wagon is a game-changer, especially designed for sandy terrains. It carries all our gear and even Olive when needed.

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Mother's Day Brunch Idea! Air Fryer Homemade Bagels & Smoked Salmon Dip 🥯

If you're looking to treat yourself or the moms in your life, this combo is a hit. The bagels are high in protein, thanks to Greek yogurt, and the smoked salmon dip is a creamy delight. Everyone who eats it, falls in love!!

You only need 10 ingredients to make this combo!

Shopping List (just take this to the store with you)🛒