I am filthy. Covered in dirt and sand, grass, and lake, and am undescribably sticky. I am visiting my brother and his family, enjoying time with his kids.
So far today we have: woke up with a sleeping beauty type kiss- but the 3-year-old is definitely a wet kisser, and I was just pretending to sleep as to not foil their plan. We followed that up with a tickle fight, and then played with some toys. We went to the lake and played in the playground, then moved over to the beach for sand castling and “lake” making. Mud pies were made, and we were completely sand covered. We then proceeded to the lake for swimming and splashing. Swimming progressed to cannon balls and floating. More sand castles and mud pies. I applied sunscreen but missed a few spots: I am I tiger; I have stripes. Also, swimming: man I am out of shape. I was wishing I had a life jacket too- huffing and puffing to the dock.
We ate hot dogs, and some very non-paleo cupcakes (the 6-year-old decorated them!!). More swimming, more sand, (I have sand EVERYWHERE). We packed up and came home for some quiet time (I did some work, lame). Then we helped wash and pit 20 lbs of cherries (I bought 20 lbs of cherries, peaches, blackberries, plums, spaghetti squash). We made a chocolate cheesecake as a vessel for some cherries (also non-paleo. I think I will need a new pancreas). We then proceeded to play Lego. Escaped to the backyard for more sandbox adventures, sliding and car racing. Dinner, and then to the park. We played soccer, swings, and some spin toy that was intensely fun but made me want to puke. Playground, tag, and then the 6-year-old who loves to run did a couple laps of the park. We had a supermodel photo shoot where we made faces. Almost dark we went home for painting than a bath with “not too many bubbles”. They are particular, I didn't know you can have too many bubbles. Then piled into one single bed and watched a movie on my laptop. It was a great day, action-packed.
Now I need to sleep fast: the kids will be up early for more activities tomorrow!! Corn maze I think, and then the dinosaur museum the day after.
- Playground
- Turtle cakes
- Sand sand and more sand
- RUN!
- He looks confused about the tripod and camera timer
- face makers
This salad is perfect for on the go: so many activities, who has time to cook? And we have 20 damn pounds of peaches to: can, and freeze and eat. Avocado Peach Basil Spinach Salad – enjoy! Have a great peach recipe? Leave them in the comments below. I'm looking for ideas!

Avocado Peach Basil Spinach Salad
- Total Time: 7 minutes
- Yield: 2-4 servings 1x
Description
Summer salads, quick and easy! Sweet peaches and basil dress up spinach salad.
Ingredients
- 1 cup sliced peaches
- 1 avocado (sliced)
- 2 cups baby spinach
- 4 or 5 leaves fresh sweet basil
- 2 tbsp. avocado oil
- 2 tbsp balsamic reduction
- salt and pepper to taste
Lacto-Paleo option:
- 4 tbsp crumbled goat cheese
Instructions
- On 2 plates divide the spinach, lade out like a nest.
- Fan sliced avocado over the spinach (half on each plate).
- Sprinkle sliced peaches over top (again half on each).
- Roughly chop basil and sprinkle over top, (you guessed it… half each!)
- Drizzle avocado oil and balsamic reduction over top.
- Add goat cheese, (optional) salt and pepper.
- Prep Time: 7 min
- Category: Salad
Holley, it is 0530 hrs, I just got up after a good night’s sleep, didn’t get called into work in the middle of the night, all energized to go to work, then read your blog and have lost all my energy after seeing all the stuff you did in one day with the kids. You are a great aunt to them!
Recipe looks refreshing!
I never added any sweetener to the peaches when I canned them when the kids were young. They grew up not knowing canned fruit was “suppose” to be sweet and they liked it that way, healthier, too. Nothing was lost in colour or texture.
Are you going to do anything with raspberries? I have frozen just about all that I am going to freeze, but there are still lots of berries on the canes.
Oh no! I didn’t want you to loose energy! Because I don’t get to see them as often as I would like my time here is packed full. Honestly by the end of the visit I think they are all glad to see me leave, as they are exhausted!
Raj said he loved your canned peaches best, with just water, so We can do them like that, I also did some with just a touch of maple syrup. I will leave these 20lbs for my sister in law, as there is another 20lbs waiting for me at home.
Raspberries! Yes, I have a bunch frozen as well, paleo jam? I am definitely working on some ideas!
I’m a little jealous that you guys keep posting all these fresh peach recipes. We don’t all have access to the most delicious peaches in the world you know – and this is KILLING me!!!!!!! All these recipes look SO good!!!!
Oh! I know, it blows my mind a little sometimes, we are awful lucky to live here. I wonder if canned peaches would work? I did 20 lbs last night, and the tree in the yard is still full, care package?