MOMMY SHORTS - 0205

Seri and I always have big ideas when we get the kids together (Seri being a party planner and all), but things don’t always go as planned. For instance, last week, we planned a 4th of July inspired picnic in Central Park, so Mazzy, Harlow, Gavin and Luke could model the adorable new Americana collection from Gymboree.

There was going to be watermelon, potato sack races, pinwheels and cupcakes.

WHAT COULD GO WRONG???

For starters, RAIN.

But do you know what is worse than rain?

It’s when your weather app says it’s going to rain, but it doesn’t really rain, and you realize a few hours too late that you absolutely COULD HAVE hightailed it uptown to the park, but you’re already way too far into your back-up plan of shooting indoors to switch courses.

And the kids are all like, “I THOUGHT WE WERE HAVING A PICNIC! THIS ISN’T NEARLY AS FUN. WAAAH.”

And then the photographer gets there (a very talented guy named Dave Robbins) and he says, “We can’t shoot a July 4th picnic indoors!”

And you panic like no one ever should over a picnic and say, “WELL THEN WHAT DO WE DO???”

And Seri suggests, all casual-like, “We have a pool on the roof. We could shoot there.”

And you say, “Okay. that sounds good. We could take the kids up to the pool and then— HOLD UP. YOU HAVE A POOL ON THE ROOF??????”

Screen Shot 2015-06-17 at 9.31.38 AM

And then as you gather everybody up in the service elevator, you can’t help but think— WHY HAVEN’T I BEEN INVITED OVER TO THE POOL BEFORE?????” But you keep that to yourself, because you don’t want to ruin your chances of scoring a future invite.

Then you get up there and the kids are all, “YAY!!!!! LET’S GO SWIMMING!!!!!!”

And you have to tell them that no, we need to shoot the “picnic” but we can go in after, I PROMISE (knowing full well you didn’t bring any suits).

“Okay…” they say unenthusiastically.

MOMMY SHORTS - 0254

Then you make a failed attempt to get everyone to stay in one place on a blanket.

MOMMY SHORTS - 0073

MOMMY SHORTS - 0067
MOMMY SHORTS - 0173

MOMMY SHORTS - 0129

MOMMY SHORTS - 0058

SERIOUSLY. HOW HARD IS IT TO STAY IN ONE PLACE ON A BLANKET???

And then everyone gets to open their picnic boxes which is initially very exciting…

MOMMY SHORTS - 0017

Until they discover inside are just regular lunch items like corn.

MOMMY SHORTS - 0231
And that beautiful July 4th spread Seri made with a glass pitcher and berries?

MOMMY SHORTS - 0040

Someone knocks it over and there’s glass and water everywhere and you have to scrap the whole blanket thing entirely.

CRAP. Nobody ever said blogging was easy.

But then, once you toss out all your preconceived picnic ideas, your pre-styled party platters, and your attempts to strategically pose the kids and JUST LET EVERYBODY HAVE FUN, that’s when the magic happens.

MOMMY SHORTS - 0294

MOMMY SHORTS - 0436

MOMMY SHORTS - 0317

Plus, we broke out the ice cream cone cupcakes. Bribery is always a recipe for a good time.

MOMMY SHORTS - 1088

MOMMY SHORTS - 0531

The kids looked as adorable as ever, obviously.

Mazzy became OBSESSED with her one shouldered striped romper.

MOMMY SHORTS - 0381

Making it very hard to convince her to change into the chambray star dress, which looked equally adorable.

MOMMY SHORTS - 0813

You can see all the whole star-spangled striped collection here.

Harlow loved her little jean shorts with matching ruffled shirt but really came into her own when she put on her adorable swiss dot dress, making the wardrobe change without ever letting go of her ice cream cone cupcake.

MOMMY SHORTS - 0683

Luke donned a baseball tank with belted twill shorts while Gavin wore an anchor tee with cargo shorts.

MOMMY SHORTS - 0554

Gymboree’s Americana Collection for boys has lots of red, white and blue with classic plaids and patchwork, perfect for outdoor BBQs and backyard shenanigans.

Like the ring toss, which is equally as enjoyable on a rooftop as on the grass.

MOMMY SHORTS - 0632

MOMMY SHORTS - 0648

Harlow was a PRO.

MOMMY SHORTS - 0692

MOMMY SHORTS - 0697crop

MOMMY SHORTS - 0676crop

Well, she needs to work a little on her aim.

To end the shoot, we took the kids outside with a big ol’ blue balloon with white stars, because there is nothing that stirs positive patriotic feelings more than a flag themed balloon.

MOMMY SHORTS - 1047
MOMMY SHORTS - 1019

And red, white and blue pinwheels. That’s a necessary element too.

MOMMY SHORTS - 0930

The kids smiled, laughed, played and then asked if it was time to go into the pool.

MOMMY SHORTS - 0948

That’s when I texted Mike to tell him to GET OVER TO THE ROOF POOL WITH SUITS IMMEDIATELY.

He texted back, “A roof pool??!!! How come we’ve never been invited before?”

IMG_4569

—————————————–

GYMBOREE GIVEAWAY:

Today, I’m giving away a $150 Gymboree gift card!

To enter, just check out Gymboree’s Star-Spangled Summer collection (boy and girl) and tell me the one thing you would pick for your kid’s summer play date in the comments.

For a second entry, tweet about the giveaway and leave a second comment saying you did so:

I just entered to win a $150 @Gymboree gift card from @mommyshorts! http://bit.ly/1IkCCQE #gymboree

Read the full rules here.

Winner will be announced June 25th.

Exclusive Offer:

Gymboree is offering Mommy Shorts readers $25 off purcahses of $100 or more! Just use coupon code: AMERICANA25 at checkout. Offer can be redeemed in-store and online, valid 6/17 to 6/25.

__________________________

WINNER UPDATE:

And the winner is… Stephanie, who loves the striped romper.

Congrats! Please contact abby@mommyshorts.com to claim your prize.

 

——————————————-

This post was sponsored by Gymboree but all failed picnic plans are my own. All photos were taken by Dave Robbins.