My children have been on summer vacation for just under two weeks. Even with the unusually heavy daily rain, we’ve managed plenty of pool time and afternoon outings to the movies, library and bowling alley. Those afternoons used to be a way to escape the heat; lately they’ve also been a chance to leave the house and stay dry.
This is the first summer that truly feels like a break for both kids. My son is entering second grade and my daughter just finished full-time pre-K; she’ll be in kindergarten this fall, so I’m savoring our unstructured days. We’ve taken spontaneous trips to the beach and to Nonna’s house and enjoyed lazy mornings with no schedule. At their ages they’re finally close playmates rather than big brother and little sister: both can swim full lengths of the Y’s big pool and play in the deep end together, which feels huge. They spend hours playing board games — lately Monopoly (the Disney version) and Trouble are favorites — and I often overhear imaginative games blending castles, Barbies and Star Wars. Apparently Yoda and Barbie get along just fine.
I’m loving this time with them.
Good summer fun calls for a great summer treat — and who doesn’t love a homemade freezer pop? When Driscoll’s reached out to partner on a family-friendly berry recipe to celebrate their summer berry season, I was flattered and excited. I immediately thought of turning one of my kids’ favorite drinks, pink lemonade, into a frozen treat. They adore berries and anything sweet from the freezer, so they eagerly volunteered as recipe testers.
I created a simple Raspberry Lemonade Freezer Pop that’s bright, fruity and perfect for warm afternoons. Fresh or frozen raspberries add natural sweetness and color, while lemonade keeps the flavor classic and thirst-quenching. It’s an easy recipe to make with kids: blend the raspberries, mix with lemonade, pour into molds and freeze. In a short time you have a refreshing snack that’s portable, low-effort and sure to be a hit after pool time or on a rainy day when you need a cheerful pick-me-up.
For more inspiration, Driscoll’s features the Raspberry Lemonade Freezer Pop recipe along with other berry-based ideas that are family-friendly and simple to prepare. These recipes celebrate berries’ versatility — from snacks to desserts — and showcase how a little fresh fruit can brighten summer gatherings, weeknight desserts or an easy after-school treat.
Summer is off to a sweet start for our family. Whether we’re swimming, playing board games on the carpet, or experimenting in the kitchen with berry treats, these are the moments I want to remember. I hope your summer is full of similar small joys, spontaneous outings and a few homemade treats to make warm days even better.