What a wonderful time of year to be a kid. School is out and the days are long. What an exhausting time of year to be a mom... To beat the inevitable complaints of boredom and to keep myself from going a little crazy, we put together a Summer Bucket List to keep both the toddler and big kid busy. We like to include adventures as well as activities. And each year, Pie reminds me to get moving on her new list. She and Joonbug help decide what goes, what stays, and new ideas for the new year. So if you don't like the changes, you can blame them. :) She also has a lot of opinions on designs for all of the free printables, which is great since she is the target audience. Click the image to download yours! 

The time has come for another freebie printable! The last day of school is fast approaching and we love a good photo op. Why not document that momentous occasion with an adorable sign. Every year we take a first and last day photo and it's lovely to go back and see how much Pie has grown. From the beginning to the end of the year or from year to year, Yes, sometimes it brings on the ugly cries, but that's what motherhood will do to a girl. Documenting her has become one of my favorite pastimes. We love it so much, we'd like to share our printable with you! Click the image to download your set. 

Each year we make a list of the things we'd like to do. It's a great way to keep Pie from constantly saying she's bored. And at the end of the Summer, we can look back at a season of memory making. We try to update and change it based on what we've already planned and things we've talked about doing. 

This year we have a very energetic toddler to include in our plans, so we tried to add in some things she could participate in as well. Most importantly, we tried to include experiences because those are the things they will remember. 

We've been working all year on new items for our shop, keeping up with orders, and life that blogging has been reserved for free printables! Which we're not going to complain about, because who doesn't love a free printable? I sure do. 

In a mad dash to check off a few last items on our Summer Bucket List this year before school started this week, we decided to try making some Homemade Ice Cream. We looked up a recipe but decided to try it our own way and it turned out way better than any of us expected!

We haven't shared a recipe in a while, heck, we haven't blogged regularly in longer than we'd like to admit. Between being pregnant, the complications that followed, having a baby, and then her growing into this now soon-to-be toddler, it's difficult to write. Or think. Or sleep. Or pee alone. As a matter of fact, while I am typing this very moment, little hands are grabbing at me and screaming about being held. Then put down. Then held. Now back down. It's hard to keep up with showering regularly, keeping them from living in filth, and feeding these little ladies, let alone writing about interesting things. 

However, I remembered to take photos! And kept track of my recipe! And when I snap chatted about it, a few friends and family asked for the recipe. What better way to share it than adding it right here, where anyone can enjoy this fantastic recipe. Here we go! 

In just a little less than two weeks Pie will be finishing up second grade! We made it through another year of virtual school and we're about to start Summer 2.0. Why 2.0? Last year, our Summer plans were all but cancelled due to my bed rest status starting in June. We were able to check off very few things on our Summer list before our world got turned upside down. 

Joonbug was hell bent on making sure we didn't go very far or do too much before her arrival. Grandma spent most of the Summer escorting Pie around to the local YMCA, the park, and on lots of walks around the neighborhood. When they weren't doing those things, they were babysitting me, sitting on the couch, not moving much at all. Super fun.  So this year, we're making up for lost time! We're making plans. Look out Summer, here we come!  

Click the image to download! 

My baby is going to be a third grader in just a few short days! :::sobs::: Not only has she kicked second grade's tush, she's excelled beyond our wildest dreams. Neither of us can believe the incredible student and kid she has become over the past year. And now she's about to embark on a Summer of fun! 

Before we get ahead of ourselves, we have to take our traditional end of year photo! This year's printable is extra special. Pie designed it herself! She picked almost all of the aspects of this awesome FREE printable. It's awesome, colorful, and fun too! I might have to start paying her. Just click the photo below and you can download all 14 years available! 

 It's finally here! The last day of school!!! We're so very excited to start our summer and have a long list of things we've been planning all year long. Before we start our celebration and commence our bucket list, we have to take our annual "Last Day" photo. I love to compare the difference between the beginning and end of the year. Pie usually grows a full head and her brain doubles in knowledge, a sure sign that we did something right this year. We're sharing our Last Year printable with you below! And if you missed our First Day printable, you can download it here and be ready early for next year.  

Our Summer is just about to begin! In one week to be exact and we're super excited to take a break from all of the school work and curriculum. Our Summer is full of crafting, science experiments, and learning of a hands-on variety. It's the time of year that we get to call the shots, enjoy doing things at our own pace, and spend lots of time with our friends who are off for their Summer break too. 

As you may have noticed, we have a new look, new name, and some awesome new things coming your way soon! We're all very excited to announce our big change, becoming Short Stack Designs.  Since over the past few years we've grown out of our old selves and the limitations of it's name, we decided it was time for a change. Our little Short Stack has grown up. 

You can still find all of your favorite posts on the old site through our Blog Archive link.  And you'll find more great designs, crafts, recipes, party ideas, and more on the new page as well. And of course you'll find all of your favorite items in our Shop. We hope you'll continue to join us as we grow and expand our site and business. Thank you for sticking with us during the process of growth and over the past few years.  We are so grateful for your readership and business. Here's to new beginnings and moving forward!