Mental Load Max: Summer Blog Break
Hi friends,
If you’ve been following along lately, you might’ve noticed things have been a little quieter on the blog—and for good reason! Between listing our house, celebrating both of my kiddos' birthdays, preschool graduation, planning for a move, and prepping for an incredible Europe trip with my grandma, I feel like my brain is juggling 137 tabs... and someone keeps opening new ones.
Add in end-of-school chaos, packing tape stuck to every surface, and the bittersweet emotions of big transitions, and let’s just say the mental load is at full capacity. I’m overwhelmed in the best of ways—but still overwhelmed. So, I’ve decided to begin my summer blog break early this year, starting now.
✨ I’ll be back in September, refreshed, hopefully unpacked, and ready to share updates—including the release of the newest Ella Bella adventure coming mid-late summer (keep your eyes out for that announcement!).
In the meantime, I hope your summer is filled with slow mornings, sticky popsicles, and sweet memories with your people. And while I’ll be unplugging a bit to enjoy mine, I didn’t want to leave you without a little something fun...
Summer Bucket List: Reading Fun Meets Real Life
Here’s a list of simple, joyful summer activities your family can do with a book in hand—because reading doesn’t have to stop just because school is out!
📚 Summer Reading Bucket List:
🍋 Lemonade Stand & a Book
Read "The Lemonade War" and set up your own stand with your kiddos.🏕 Backyard Campout + Flashlight Stories
Camp in the yard or living room and take turns reading spooky (or silly) stories with flashlights.🍦 Ice Cream Shop Trip + Ice Cream-Themed Read
Read "Should I Share My Ice Cream?" by Mo Willems, then enjoy a sweet treat together.🧺 Picnic at the Park with a Book Basket
Pack lunch, a blanket, and a few favorite picture books or chapter reads for a cozy outdoor afternoon.🦋 Nature Walk + Scavenger Hunt + Nature Book
Bring along "Backpack Explorer" or any nature-themed book to help guide your adventure.🧁 Bake Something from a Book
Read "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie" and bake together.
👉 Bonus points if you read T-Rex and Tuck Explore the Kitchen and bake the cookie recipe at the end! Don’t forget to tag and share your baking fun with me on social—I'd love to see it!🎨 Story-Inspired Art Time
After reading, grab supplies and let your kids draw, paint, or build something inspired by the book.🎬 Book-to-Movie Night
Read a book and then watch the movie version. Ella Enchanted, Matilda, Charlotte’s Web—so many fun picks.🐠 Visit the Aquarium or Zoo After a Book
Read "The Rainbow Fish" or "Giraffes Can’t Dance" before heading to see the real things.
👉 I suggest T-Rex and Tuck Explore the Zoo as your perfect zoo day pre-read!✈️ Create a “Book Passport”
Every time you read a book that takes place in a new location (real or imaginary), stamp your “passport”!
However you spend your summer—whether it’s traveling across the globe or just down the block—I hope it includes a little magic, a lot of memory-making, and maybe even a book or two in the pool bag.
Wishing you rest, sunshine, and stories to share.
See you in September!
With love and as always, happy reading.
Katie Marie
📚 www.authorkatiemarie.com
📖 Don’t forget to follow along for updates on the new Ella Bella book this summer!
