May 20, 2025
🌞 We Are The Hansons: Our Amazing Start to Summer! 🌴
Summer has officially begun, and the Hanson family is kicking it off with laughter, sunshine, and unforgettable memories! Join us in our latest adventure as we embrace the warm weather, enjoy outdoor fun, and make the most of the sunny season together. Whether it's splashing in the pool, savoring icy treats, or simply soaking up the sun, our amazing start to summer is just the beginning of many unforgettable moments!
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/we-are-the-hanson-s-family-life-practical-tips-self-care--6044253/support.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
WEBVTT
1
00:00:20.920 --> 00:00:23.719
Hey, everyone, welcome back to We Are the Hands Ends.
2
00:00:23.960 --> 00:00:26.879
I'm so glad you're here with me today. I hope
3
00:00:26.920 --> 00:00:31.000
you're kicking off your summer in a way that brings joy, peace,
4
00:00:31.359 --> 00:00:34.439
and maybe just a little chaos. If you've got a
5
00:00:34.479 --> 00:00:37.520
house full of kids like we do, you know exactly
6
00:00:37.600 --> 00:00:41.799
what I mean. Today's episode is all about our amazing
7
00:00:41.920 --> 00:00:45.359
start to summer, and let me tell you, it has
8
00:00:45.399 --> 00:00:49.560
been full of laughter, surprises, and a few meltdowns and
9
00:00:50.280 --> 00:00:54.679
some moments that reminded me why I love this crazy,
10
00:00:54.719 --> 00:00:58.320
beautiful life. So grab your favorite summer drink, find a
11
00:00:58.359 --> 00:01:03.240
comfy spot, and let's dive. Let's start with the last
12
00:01:03.280 --> 00:01:06.560
day of school. You know how it is, kids busting
13
00:01:06.599 --> 00:01:09.120
through the door like they just got released from prison,
14
00:01:09.640 --> 00:01:13.599
backpacks full of crumbled papers and mystery lunch containers they
15
00:01:13.760 --> 00:01:20.239
swore they threw away. We had award ceremonies, class parties,
16
00:01:20.319 --> 00:01:24.640
and those emotional teacher goodbyes. Mattie, our oldest, had a
17
00:01:24.640 --> 00:01:28.120
bittersweet end to the school year. She's growing up so fast.
18
00:01:29.120 --> 00:01:33.040
Watching her say goodbye to her teachers and classmates was
19
00:01:33.079 --> 00:01:37.439
a reminder of how quickly time moves. The little ones
20
00:01:37.680 --> 00:01:41.480
were so excited for summer, but also confused, do we
21
00:01:41.560 --> 00:01:44.359
still have to wake up early? What do you mean?
22
00:01:44.400 --> 00:01:48.239
No more school for a while? It's always an adjustment.
23
00:01:49.480 --> 00:01:52.280
We did our tradition ice cream after the last day.
24
00:01:52.680 --> 00:01:55.599
Everyone got to pick their own flavor, and yes we
25
00:01:55.719 --> 00:01:59.400
had some spills in the car, but that's just part
26
00:01:59.439 --> 00:02:04.400
of the fun, right. Not even forty eight hours into
27
00:02:04.480 --> 00:02:08.919
our break, we were already on the road. Our first
28
00:02:09.360 --> 00:02:13.719
summer trip was to a nearby lake. We packed way
29
00:02:13.800 --> 00:02:16.719
too much and forgot just enough to make it funny
30
00:02:16.759 --> 00:02:22.840
later sunscreen check, snacks, triple check. You know, stuff gets
31
00:02:22.960 --> 00:02:27.120
left behind, but we made it work like we always do.
32
00:02:27.840 --> 00:02:32.120
The kids swam, we had subs, and I even got
33
00:02:32.120 --> 00:02:36.039
to sit there and relax the whole time. Before you know,
34
00:02:36.199 --> 00:02:41.039
somebody needed some help opening juice boxes or whatnot. There's
35
00:02:41.080 --> 00:02:45.039
something about those simple outdoor days that fills your soul,
36
00:02:45.599 --> 00:02:49.479
even with the messy and the muddy shoes. I just
37
00:02:49.560 --> 00:02:52.840
looked around and thought, this is what memories are made of.
38
00:02:53.960 --> 00:02:57.719
With thirteen kids, we can't exactly go with the flow
39
00:02:58.000 --> 00:03:02.360
every single day, or the whole house turns into a
40
00:03:02.400 --> 00:03:07.319
scene from a disaster movie. So we made a summer
41
00:03:08.639 --> 00:03:14.479
list and not strict rules, but things like being able
42
00:03:14.520 --> 00:03:17.000
to let the kids read for twenty minutes a day,
43
00:03:17.159 --> 00:03:21.240
or play outside for so many hours a day, or
44
00:03:21.879 --> 00:03:27.439
helping one another with chores before lunchtime. It's not perfect,
45
00:03:27.800 --> 00:03:31.280
but it keeps the peace and they get a little
46
00:03:31.319 --> 00:03:35.879
reward ice pops, game time, or getting to choose what's
47
00:03:35.879 --> 00:03:39.680
for dinner. Our boys are super competitive about getting to
48
00:03:39.800 --> 00:03:45.840
choose dinner, which is hilarious and honestly pretty helpful. Sometimes.
49
00:03:47.360 --> 00:03:51.000
We also have family goals one new recipe a week,
50
00:03:51.840 --> 00:03:55.400
one new board game a week, and one family movie
51
00:03:56.080 --> 00:04:00.879
night outside if the weather allows. We're not trying to
52
00:04:00.879 --> 00:04:06.240
be pinterest perfect, just present, and honestly, that's the heart
53
00:04:06.240 --> 00:04:11.759
of it. Let's talk about surprises, because they always come.
54
00:04:12.400 --> 00:04:15.840
One morning, I walked outside and found the girls trying
55
00:04:15.840 --> 00:04:19.720
to build a water slide off the back porch using
56
00:04:20.680 --> 00:04:27.120
chairs and tolls. Yeah, that ain't gonna work. Another day,
57
00:04:27.600 --> 00:04:31.040
Maddie organized a SPA day for her and her younger siblings.
58
00:04:31.160 --> 00:04:34.720
They did face masks, cucumber slices, calmbing, music and all.
59
00:04:35.199 --> 00:04:37.480
And I peeked in and saw my seven year old
60
00:04:37.639 --> 00:04:41.279
with two cotton balls over her eyes, saying, I feel
61
00:04:41.319 --> 00:04:46.680
elegant ib out cried from laughter. Those are the golden moments.
62
00:04:46.800 --> 00:04:52.360
I never want to forget, Precious. It's easy to forget
63
00:04:52.360 --> 00:04:55.560
about us in the chaos, me and my husband, but
64
00:04:55.920 --> 00:04:59.639
we're making time. We've started having porch dates after the
65
00:04:59.720 --> 00:05:04.759
kids or in bed, just the two of us, some coffee,
66
00:05:05.439 --> 00:05:08.839
maybe a little card game because you know he likes
67
00:05:08.879 --> 00:05:12.360
to try and beat me in poker, or just talking
68
00:05:12.360 --> 00:05:17.720
about nothing and everything. Recharging together helps us show up
69
00:05:17.839 --> 00:05:21.240
better for our kids and reminds us we're a team
70
00:05:21.279 --> 00:05:24.920
in this. We've got big plans for the rest of
71
00:05:24.959 --> 00:05:28.920
the summer. We got camping trips that will either be
72
00:05:29.199 --> 00:05:34.399
magical or mosquitofiled, probably both, a diy, backyard movie night,
73
00:05:35.240 --> 00:05:38.120
teaching the older kids how to cook a full dinner
74
00:05:38.199 --> 00:05:42.240
start to finish, and lots of spontaneous dance parties in
75
00:05:42.279 --> 00:05:48.639
our living room. We're also focusing on gratitude. Each night
76
00:05:48.879 --> 00:05:52.480
at dinner, we go around and say one thing we're
77
00:05:52.519 --> 00:05:57.759
thankful for that day. It's grounding and even the little
78
00:05:57.759 --> 00:06:03.040
ones get into it. To any other big families listening,
79
00:06:03.600 --> 00:06:07.920
or even if you've got just one kid, remember summer
80
00:06:08.000 --> 00:06:11.160
doesn't have to be packed with expensive trips. Or a
81
00:06:11.240 --> 00:06:16.680
perfect schedule. It's about connection, about giving your kids memories
82
00:06:16.839 --> 00:06:21.480
they'll talk about in twenty years, even if those memories
83
00:06:21.480 --> 00:06:26.240
are messy, loud, and slightly sticky from too many popsicles.
84
00:06:26.639 --> 00:06:30.040
Take a breath, laugh at the chaos, Hug your babies,
85
00:06:30.319 --> 00:06:33.959
even the big ones. You're doing better than you think.
86
00:06:35.199 --> 00:06:38.480
You know what adds even more excitement to summer In
87
00:06:38.519 --> 00:06:44.160
our house birthdays. We've got a few kids with summer birthdays,
88
00:06:44.360 --> 00:06:47.439
and in our family, birthdays are a big deal, not
89
00:06:47.560 --> 00:06:51.959
because we go all out with huge parties, but because
90
00:06:51.959 --> 00:06:56.040
we make them feel extra special in our own way.
91
00:06:57.279 --> 00:07:01.720
One of our traditions is the birthday wake up. You know,
92
00:07:02.120 --> 00:07:07.959
everyone gets woke up to balloons and just fun things
93
00:07:08.920 --> 00:07:13.519
and you know us singing to them really loud, slightly
94
00:07:13.560 --> 00:07:18.720
off key family version of happy Birthday. There are balloons
95
00:07:18.720 --> 00:07:22.839
and streamers hanging from the ceiling, and always some kind
96
00:07:22.879 --> 00:07:27.560
of sugary breakfast treat. Most of the time it's a donut,
97
00:07:27.639 --> 00:07:32.240
because why not, it's their day. This year, one of
98
00:07:32.240 --> 00:07:37.920
our girls wanted to do a princess themed backyard birthday party,
99
00:07:38.560 --> 00:07:41.360
so we will get creative and we will do that.
100
00:07:41.519 --> 00:07:46.800
Another one wants to do the Hawaiian theme, so we're
101
00:07:46.800 --> 00:07:50.240
gonna try and do that. These little parties are filled
102
00:07:50.720 --> 00:07:54.519
with so much joy, and honestly, they remind us how
103
00:07:54.560 --> 00:07:58.240
easy it is to make magic out of ordinary things.
104
00:08:00.040 --> 00:08:04.040
Summer brings a lot of sibling bonding and sometimes sibling bickering.
105
00:08:04.720 --> 00:08:08.680
Let's be real, when all the kids are home all day,
106
00:08:08.920 --> 00:08:13.759
every day, the chances of someone yelling mom over a
107
00:08:13.839 --> 00:08:18.160
lego or something, or someone using someone else's special marker.
108
00:08:19.439 --> 00:08:24.079
But we're using summer as time to teach conflict resolution.
109
00:08:25.240 --> 00:08:28.959
We've started a new thing where if two siblings are fighting,
110
00:08:29.240 --> 00:08:33.440
they have to sit together and draw each other's portrait.
111
00:08:34.600 --> 00:08:38.240
It's awkward at first, but it usually ends in giggles
112
00:08:38.440 --> 00:08:43.799
and even some surprisingly very good art. We also give
113
00:08:43.840 --> 00:08:48.519
them daily buddy challenges, pairing up different siblings to do
114
00:08:48.600 --> 00:08:52.919
something together. Whether it's making lunch, cleaning a room, or
115
00:08:53.080 --> 00:08:59.200
building something out of cardboard. It's building trust, responsibility, and
116
00:08:59.279 --> 00:09:02.639
a sense of tea work that we hope sticks long
117
00:09:02.759 --> 00:09:07.600
after summer ends. Before I let you go, I just
118
00:09:07.639 --> 00:09:13.679
want to say this, wherever you are in your parenting journey,
119
00:09:14.879 --> 00:09:19.440
whatever your summer looks like, please know that you're enough.
120
00:09:20.519 --> 00:09:25.039
Whether your summer is full of road trips and campfires,
121
00:09:25.159 --> 00:09:28.519
or just surviving each day with a little grace and
122
00:09:28.559 --> 00:09:32.799
a lot of snacks. It's valid. What makes summer special
123
00:09:33.039 --> 00:09:37.639
isn't the perfect schedule or Pinterest activities. It's the time,
124
00:09:38.200 --> 00:09:43.080
the togetherness, the memories. We're making one water balloon or
125
00:09:43.679 --> 00:09:48.159
spilled juice box at a time, and I'll be right
126
00:09:48.200 --> 00:09:53.200
here sharing our stories, the ups and downs, cheering you
127
00:09:53.240 --> 00:09:56.600
on every step of the way. So thank you for listening,
128
00:09:57.360 --> 00:10:00.960
for being part of our big, handsome family by heart.
129
00:10:01.799 --> 00:10:06.399
If this episode made you smile, encouraged you, or reminded
130
00:10:06.440 --> 00:10:10.440
you of your own wild summer stories, share it with
131
00:10:10.519 --> 00:10:13.679
a friend. You can get over to our YouTube channel
132
00:10:13.879 --> 00:10:16.919
and subscribe. You can also send us a message on
133
00:10:16.960 --> 00:10:20.639
our We Are the Hanson's Facebook page, or you can
134
00:10:20.679 --> 00:10:25.200
email us at We Are thee Hanson's Show at gmail
135
00:10:25.240 --> 00:10:28.919
dot com. Take care of yourself, love on your families,
136
00:10:29.039 --> 00:10:30.279
and we'll talk again soon.
1
00:00:20.920 --> 00:00:23.719
2
00:00:23.960 --> 00:00:26.879
3
00:00:26.920 --> 00:00:31.000
4
00:00:31.359 --> 00:00:34.439
5
00:00:34.479 --> 00:00:37.520
6
00:00:37.600 --> 00:00:41.799
7
00:00:41.920 --> 00:00:45.359
8
00:00:45.399 --> 00:00:49.560
9
00:00:50.280 --> 00:00:54.679
10
00:00:54.719 --> 00:00:58.320
11
00:00:58.359 --> 00:01:03.240
12
00:01:03.280 --> 00:01:06.560
13
00:01:06.599 --> 00:01:09.120
14
00:01:09.640 --> 00:01:13.599
15
00:01:13.760 --> 00:01:20.239
16
00:01:20.319 --> 00:01:24.640
17
00:01:24.640 --> 00:01:28.120
18
00:01:29.120 --> 00:01:33.040
19
00:01:33.079 --> 00:01:37.439
20
00:01:37.680 --> 00:01:41.480
21
00:01:41.560 --> 00:01:44.359
22
00:01:44.400 --> 00:01:48.239
23
00:01:49.480 --> 00:01:52.280
24
00:01:52.680 --> 00:01:55.599
25
00:01:55.719 --> 00:01:59.400
26
00:01:59.439 --> 00:02:04.400
27
00:02:04.480 --> 00:02:08.919
28
00:02:09.360 --> 00:02:13.719
29
00:02:13.800 --> 00:02:16.719
30
00:02:16.759 --> 00:02:22.840
31
00:02:22.960 --> 00:02:27.120
32
00:02:27.840 --> 00:02:32.120
33
00:02:32.120 --> 00:02:36.039
34
00:02:36.199 --> 00:02:41.039
35
00:02:41.080 --> 00:02:45.039
36
00:02:45.599 --> 00:02:49.479
37
00:02:49.560 --> 00:02:52.840
38
00:02:53.960 --> 00:02:57.719
39
00:02:58.000 --> 00:03:02.360
40
00:03:02.400 --> 00:03:07.319
41
00:03:08.639 --> 00:03:14.479
42
00:03:14.520 --> 00:03:17.000
43
00:03:17.159 --> 00:03:21.240
44
00:03:21.879 --> 00:03:27.439
45
00:03:27.800 --> 00:03:31.280
46
00:03:31.319 --> 00:03:35.879
47
00:03:35.879 --> 00:03:39.680
48
00:03:39.800 --> 00:03:45.840
49
00:03:47.360 --> 00:03:51.000
50
00:03:51.840 --> 00:03:55.400
51
00:03:56.080 --> 00:04:00.879
52
00:04:00.879 --> 00:04:06.240
53
00:04:06.240 --> 00:04:11.759
54
00:04:12.400 --> 00:04:15.840
55
00:04:15.840 --> 00:04:19.720
56
00:04:20.680 --> 00:04:27.120
57
00:04:27.600 --> 00:04:31.040
58
00:04:31.160 --> 00:04:34.720
59
00:04:35.199 --> 00:04:37.480
60
00:04:37.639 --> 00:04:41.279
61
00:04:41.319 --> 00:04:46.680
62
00:04:46.800 --> 00:04:52.360
63
00:04:52.360 --> 00:04:55.560
64
00:04:55.920 --> 00:04:59.639
65
00:04:59.720 --> 00:05:04.759
66
00:05:05.439 --> 00:05:08.839
67
00:05:08.879 --> 00:05:12.360
68
00:05:12.360 --> 00:05:17.720
69
00:05:17.839 --> 00:05:21.240
70
00:05:21.279 --> 00:05:24.920
71
00:05:24.959 --> 00:05:28.920
72
00:05:29.199 --> 00:05:34.399
73
00:05:35.240 --> 00:05:38.120
74
00:05:38.199 --> 00:05:42.240
75
00:05:42.279 --> 00:05:48.639
76
00:05:48.879 --> 00:05:52.480
77
00:05:52.519 --> 00:05:57.759
78
00:05:57.759 --> 00:06:03.040
79
00:06:03.600 --> 00:06:07.920
80
00:06:08.000 --> 00:06:11.160
81
00:06:11.240 --> 00:06:16.680
82
00:06:16.839 --> 00:06:21.480
83
00:06:21.480 --> 00:06:26.240
84
00:06:26.639 --> 00:06:30.040
85
00:06:30.319 --> 00:06:33.959
86
00:06:35.199 --> 00:06:38.480
87
00:06:38.519 --> 00:06:44.160
88
00:06:44.360 --> 00:06:47.439
89
00:06:47.560 --> 00:06:51.959
90
00:06:51.959 --> 00:06:56.040
91
00:06:57.279 --> 00:07:01.720
92
00:07:02.120 --> 00:07:07.959
93
00:07:08.920 --> 00:07:13.519
94
00:07:13.560 --> 00:07:18.720
95
00:07:18.720 --> 00:07:22.839
96
00:07:22.879 --> 00:07:27.560
97
00:07:27.639 --> 00:07:32.240
98
00:07:32.240 --> 00:07:37.920
99
00:07:38.560 --> 00:07:41.360
100
00:07:41.519 --> 00:07:46.800
101
00:07:46.800 --> 00:07:50.240
102
00:07:50.720 --> 00:07:54.519
103
00:07:54.560 --> 00:07:58.240
104
00:08:00.040 --> 00:08:04.040
105
00:08:04.720 --> 00:08:08.680
106
00:08:08.920 --> 00:08:13.759
107
00:08:13.839 --> 00:08:18.160
108
00:08:19.439 --> 00:08:24.079
109
00:08:25.240 --> 00:08:28.959
110
00:08:29.240 --> 00:08:33.440
111
00:08:34.600 --> 00:08:38.240
112
00:08:38.440 --> 00:08:43.799
113
00:08:43.840 --> 00:08:48.519
114
00:08:48.600 --> 00:08:52.919
115
00:08:53.080 --> 00:08:59.200
116
00:08:59.279 --> 00:09:02.639
117
00:09:02.759 --> 00:09:07.600
118
00:09:07.639 --> 00:09:13.679
119
00:09:14.879 --> 00:09:19.440
120
00:09:20.519 --> 00:09:25.039
121
00:09:25.159 --> 00:09:28.519
122
00:09:28.559 --> 00:09:32.799
123
00:09:33.039 --> 00:09:37.639
124
00:09:38.200 --> 00:09:43.080
125
00:09:43.679 --> 00:09:48.159
126
00:09:48.200 --> 00:09:53.200
127
00:09:53.240 --> 00:09:56.600
128
00:09:57.360 --> 00:10:00.960
129
00:10:01.799 --> 00:10:06.399
130
00:10:06.440 --> 00:10:10.440
131
00:10:10.519 --> 00:10:13.679
132
00:10:13.879 --> 00:10:16.919
133
00:10:16.960 --> 00:10:20.639
134
00:10:20.679 --> 00:10:25.200
135
00:10:25.240 --> 00:10:28.919
136
00:10:29.039 --> 00:10:30.279
