This time of year holds many special memories for me. Anniversaries, birthdays, graduations, and other monumental events in my adult life. In light of our ongoing staycation (read about that here), I thought I would share with you a special summer memory from my childhood.
When summer approaches, it always conjures up so many memories from the past. Just the scent of sweet mimosa trees, sugary sweet snow cones and chlorine transport me to summer in the nineties, when life was simple and sweet. A die hard summer fan as a child, I spent the last few months of school counting down the days to the moment vacation began! I knew the first thing I would do when that final hour of school finally ended, and I was free!
Plans for summer vacation usually involved all the adventures I would partake in, and it was always something involving the outdoors. I was definitely a tomboy and summer was the perfect chance to spend every waking moment outside, getting dirty.
One of my best friends lived down the road, so we were attached at the hip most times of the year, but especially in the summer. Crazy ideas where constantly in our repertoire, like how we would make money each summer in order to fund our snow cones, trips to the skating rink, and the toys we couldn’t live without.
Jobs we pursued included selling fresh eggs (which her dad ended up buying even though they were from his chickens 🙂 ), yard work, and most notably our annual kool-aid stand! We spent many days preparing for this event, making sure a great sign was prepared and good supplies were well stocked. As you can see from the old, poor quality picture below, we were ready!
This was a big money maker in the summer of 1993. For ten cents a cup, we sold ice cold kool-aid with flavors of cherry and blue raspberry. We always started bright and early to maximize our profit. I remember this day well because we sold out by the afternoon, and made a total of $5.00 (50 cups!) which was just what we needed to buy snacks at the skating rink the next day!
Every time summer rolls around, I think of this sweet time and feel blessed to always have these childhood memories close by. My friend and I are still close today, although our summers look a little different now 🙂
Last July 4th with Ruger when he was a baby. A bad, bright eye, grainy picture, but still full of summer memories!
Do you have sweet summer memories that make you smile? Isn’t it amazing how memories are so full of scents and emotions, almost making you feel like you are right back in the moment?
We are halfway through our summer vacation this year, you can see more of our staycation on instagram! Have a wonderful week and I hope you are enjoying making summer memories 🙂
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Michelle says
What fond memories of your younger years. I remember when my girls would have lemonade stands all summer and we lived in cul de sacs so we never received a lot of traffic. I remember calling my friends just so they could stop in and say hello and buy some from them because I felt so bad they would sit out there in the heat and wait, and wait and wait. They ended up drinking most of it themselves!
Alexis says
That such a great memory! My friend and I both drank so much kool-aid by the end of the day, we were usually sick 🙂 Summer always holds such fond memories.
Laurie S says
Happy Wednesday Alexis ! Loving your staycation pics on IG… hope you are having a great time! These are great summer memories… I said “aw” when your friend’s dad bought the chicken eggs… you were entrepreneurial! Is this the same friend that recently married? Have a great day!
P.S. Thanks for the continued posts even though you’re on vacation – you did a lot of prep work before time off, or you’re still posting daily. I enjoy your blog! 🙂
Alexis says
Hi Laurie! This wasn’t the same friend that just got married, but I have known her just about as long. We were all 3 best friends 🙂 I know, her dad was so sweet to buy them from us! Thank you so much for your sweet comment, that means so much to me. I am glad you enjoy it! Have a wonderful evening!
1010ParkPlace says
Summer’s a great time for kids and families to make memories. In the evenings, my friends and I were always outside. While we never had a Kool-Aid stand, we caught lightening bugs, rode our bikes and slept in the backyard under the stars. What a great time!
Brenda
Alexis says
Hi Brenda! We did a lot of that too 🙂 My husband and I still love running outside for fireflies…kids at heart! Have a great day!
Shellie Bowdoin says
Great post, summers come and go but we hold on too the memories forever! Thanks for sharing with the #funsummerfinds linkup!
Shellie
http://www.thefabjourney.com
Alexis says
That is so true Shellie!
Jaelan says
Summer is definitely synonymous with “memories” to me!
I can remember jumping in our above ground pool, then running to the freezer in the garage to grab a Blue Bell Popsicle (with cream)! I can remember the county fairs that I sat through, and then participated in as soon as I was old enough. I remember the lazy summer afternoons. So fun.
Alexis says
Oh man, I love Blue Bell popsicles with the CREAM! Pools and popsicles were definitely a huge one for me 🙂 So many wonderful memories of summer!
Lowanda J says
Wow! You guys were smart lil business women at an early age. I love how refreshing this post made me feel. I can remember purchasing Kool -aid pops/cups from a lady in my cousin’s neighborhood. She sold them for a quarter. They were like mini icies (can’t spell right now, brain is on vacation)…LOL… Thanks for sharing the memories! #TuesTalk
Alexis says
Thank you! That is so cool you got kool-aid pops, we should have done that too 🙂 It makes you want to just go make some kool-aid and have it again like when you were a kid!
Lorelai says
What a great memory! Thanks for sharing at the #HomeMattersParty – We hope to see you again next week!
~Lorelai
Life With Lorelai
Alexis says
Thanks Lorelai! I look forward to linking up again 🙂 Have a great day!
Holly says
Loved your trip down memory lane! Aren’t summers the best? Most of my favorite memories take place in the summer! Thank you for sharing with us at Waiting on…Wednesday!
Holly @ http://www.iwillservewhileiwait.blogspot.com
Alexis says
Summers really are the best! Me too, my fondest memories are usually in the summer 🙂 Have a wonderful rest of the week!