How to Survive Your Kids Summer Vacation

{+ Coconut Cold Brew Coffee Recipe}

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My kids are officially on summer vacation and after 2 weeks spent in Orlando, we are back in the real world. Two kids against one stressed out and tired mommy. Moms, I don’t want you curled up on your closet floor in the dark to escape the chaos. The countdown to the first day of school has begun but I have tips for you today on how to survive your kids summer vacation!

Needless to say, my #1 tip is coffee! I found a fantastic new product available at Walmart from Starbucks® called Starbucks® Nariño 70 Cold Brew pitcher packs and I have a great recipe for a Coconut Cold Brew Coffee that you can easily make at home.

Visit Walmart online for summer cold brew recipe ideas and more! Click HERE.

How to Survive Your Kids Summer Vacation

1. Create a sippable moment daily. What does this mean? Take a moment for to pour yourself a Starbucks® Nariño 70 Cold Brew and sip your coffee in peace. Even if you can only make 5 minutes a day for yourself. Get up a few minutes early if you have to so you can just sit on porch and drink your coffee before the hectic day offically begins. Maybe your kids still take naps and you can get your sippable moment during naptime. P.S. I am sincerely jealous if your children take naps!
2. Keep your kids busy with activities. Activities don’t have to be expensive or grand. Here are a few ideas to fill in those Summer days:
   • Parks, lakes, creeks, nature trails or anything outdoors. Find an outdoor space where the kids can run around and explore the outdoors. We like to go to the creek to catch frogs and get messy.
   • Zoo or Aquarium. Get a membership to at least one and make sure to get a schedule of events. Many Zoos host member events like outdoor concerts.
   • The movies. Cool off in air conditioning and let the kids pick a movie at the theater. My local theater has a free movie played every Tuesday and Wednesday morning. Check your local theaters to see what events are taking place.
   • Amusement Parks. I understand not everyone lives near an Amusement Park but if you do, it is worth the annual fees to spend a few hours during the week riding roller coasters and running around.
   • Museums. History, Aviation, Art, Science… the possibilities are endless. Museums are great because most are air conditioned and it is educational. If you are on a tight budget, many museums offer free days so check your local museums to see what they offer.
   • Let the kids create a piece of artwork on your driveway with chalk.
   • The pool. What kid does not love the pool? Sunscreen everyone up and head out to the neighborhood pool. Bonus is that swimming is tiring! Pool day equals daytime naptime. Fingers crossed.
   • Arts and craft projects. Go to your local hobby store. Let the kids pick out some crafts to do over the summer.
   • Let the kids build a fort inside the house with blankets.
   • Walk or ride bikes around the neighborhood.
3. Take time for yourself weekly. Get a babysitter so you can relax at the spa with a pedicure, grab dinner with a friend, browse the mall, or whatever you enjoy doing to take at least an hour every week without the kids to recharge. Sometimes even just having the husband take care of the kids while I go grocery shopping with a coffee in hand seems like a mini vacation. You deserve at least an hour every single week to clear your head with a little bit of quiet time.
4. Schedule your life. During the school year, we are on a tight schedule. Kids actually respond very well to a set schedule. Continue to wake everyone up by a certain time, eat breakfast together, have bath time at a set time, read every night before bed and so on. Create a schedule that works for your family and stick to it. I have found it helps to also schedule  the daily activities so Monday is craft day, Tuesday is spent at the pool, Wednesday is movies, Thursday is outdoor fun and Friday the kids spend half a day at the babysitter so I can unwind. You can only hear, “what are we doing today?” so many times before you want to rip your hair out. Just being honest. Write the schedule down weekly on a big board where everyone can see it. You will still hear “what are we doing today?” at least 5 times a day still but it is better than 40 times.

Coconut Cold Brew

Let’s get back to what’s really important : COFFEE.

I am making a delicious Coconut Cold Brew with Starbucks® Nariño 70 Cold Brew. Keep an eye out for these pitcher packs at your local Walmart so you can make some fantastic cold brew at home.

You will find Starbucks® Nariño 70 Cold Brew on the coffee aisle in a simple brown box. Inside will be a foil packet with 2 pitcher packets. Drop both the packets into 4 cups of water, let steep for 24 hours, add in another 3 cups of water and pour over ice with our homemade coconut creamer. Don’t forget to remove the pitcher packs. Easy peasy. Now, time to find your sippable moment and seize the summer!

The coconut creamer is really simple to make. Make a batch when you make your cold brew pitcher and you will have Coconut Cold Brew ready for the week. In a sealable container, add one can of coconut milk, 4 tablespoons of honey and 1 tablespoon vanilla extract. Give a good mix and set into fridge to use as needed. Shake well before each use. You may also add a pinch of sugar if you like your coffee extra sweet.

Coconut Cold Brew Coffee Recipe

Recipe Type: Drinks

Author: Amber

Serves: 6

Ingredients

• Starbucks® Nariño 70 Cold Brew pitcher pack
• toasted coconut to garnish
• 13 ounce can coconut milk, unsweetened (sweetened would work as well)
• 4 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• sugar (optional)

Instructions

1. Brew your Starbucks® Nariño 70 Cold Brew pitcher packs : In a pitcher, add 4 cups water, open one foil pouch, drop in both pitcher packs, cover, set in fridge for 24 hours. Remove pitcher packs. Add 3 cups cold water after 24 hour steep time.
2. Mix the coconut creamer. In a container, add one can coconut milk, 4 tablespoons honey and 1 tablespoon vanilla extract. Mix well.
3. Garnish a glass with toasted coconut. I used a little bit of honey of the rim and dipped it in the coconut.
4. Add ice, Fill 3/4 full of Starbucks® Nariño 70 Cold Brew, top with desired amount of coconut creamer. You can add a pinch of sugar if you like it sweet.
5. Mix well.
6. Find your sippable moment!

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Collect 75 Bonus Stars with purchase of any (3) Starbucks® packaged coffees or K-Cup® pods through 7/10/17

Click HERE for details.