by Sabrina Garibian posted in Products & Prizes

Summer is a time for memories, family and plenty of sun. It can be summed up in a few simple numbers.
 

But busy summer routines makes keeping regular routines and rituals in check a huge challenge. All this fun can translate into some pretty cranky kids (and parents) if you don't stick to a schedule -- especially when it comes to bedtime.
Here are my four steps for keeping summer days festive and fun without losing your night time rituals.

Step 1: Live it up.
Do not let schedules get in the way of having fun! Seeing summer through the eyes of my kids has been rejuvenating. I love watching my toddler Valentina play in the sand and squeal with delight as she sink her toes in the sand at the beach. To keep their routine in tact, we usually do activities right after breakfast so we can still fit in a restful afternoon nap. Some of our favorite activities right now are:
Setting up a water table outside: You can use anything from a traditional water table to a baby bathtub. We used large serving bowls and plastic cups for years, much to the enjoyment of our small children.
Making healthy popsicles: We blend up frozen strawberries, a banana, and some orange juice into a smoothie-like consistency. We pour them into popsicle molds and pop them in the freezer for a tasty, refreshing, and healthy afternoon snack. If you don't have popsicle molds you can always use small paper cups instead.
Going on a nature walk: This will...