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??????”
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.
Then you make a failed attempt to get everyone to stay in one place on a blanket.
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…
Until they discover inside are just regular lunch items like corn.
And that beautiful July 4th spread Seri made with a glass pitcher and berries?
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.
Plus, we broke out the ice cream cone cupcakes. Bribery is always a recipe for a good time.
The kids looked as adorable as ever, obviously.
Mazzy became OBSESSED with her one shouldered striped romper.
Making it very hard to convince her to change into the chambray star dress, which looked equally adorable.
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.
Luke donned a baseball tank with belted twill shorts while Gavin wore an anchor tee with cargo shorts.
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.
Harlow was a PRO.
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.
And red, white and blue pinwheels. That’s a necessary element too.
The kids smiled, laughed, played and then asked if it was time to go into the pool.
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?”
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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.
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This post was sponsored by Gymboree but all failed picnic plans are my own. All photos were taken by Dave Robbins.
Definitely the red belted twill shorts for my son…TOO CUTE!
Love the dots dress for my little girl and anchor tee for my son!
The patchwork shorts! Way too cute! 🙂
I put way too much thought into this… I LOVE Gymboree. I think I’d choose the Denim Star Dress for my almost 2 year old girl. I think.
Maybe Little Miss Party Never invited you because she wants to make sure that her friends love her for her and not her rooftop pool! ???? like rich guys do in the movies…
The Liberty Belle, with those red boots!
I love the Star Pocket Tank, Cargo Shorts, and the United States of Awesome cap for my son. He loves hats! The Striped One Shoulder Romper would be perfect for my daughter! Love!
Either of the cargo shorts! They can go with everything 😉
The ribbon stripe skirt! SO CUTE! Though seriously, rompers are the best things ever and I love the striped one too!
My son would go crazy over the American Flag baseball tee! He’s a huge baseball fan and his favorite colors are red white and blue.
The romper is fab and red cowgirl boots!
Oh, my God. I spelled my name wrong! Lol…two n’s. Not that it matters but, yeah…
I’d have to choose the glitter sneakers. They’re too stinking adorable!
And twittered:
https://twitter.com/bybreenah/status/611184731091267585
The romper Mazzy has on….and def some of those American flag sunglasses! Why can’t these come in adult sizes?!
The star dress is adorable. Now I have to decide if I can justify my daughter having 3 4th of July outfits (she already has 2!). . .
The chambray cargo shorts! They’d be so cute with the red Frenchie in sunglasses t-shirt that is on its way to us this week!
The Liberty Belle striped sundress! I love it!
I love all the striped stuff…the striped sweater for my girl and the striped shorts for my boy. My oldest has grown out of Gymboree. 🙁
I tweeted about the contest too!
The swiss dot dress is adorable!
Some day when Mazzy and Gavin get married, they are going to have the best wedding slide show of all time. All these adorable photos!
I just love the swiss dot top with the red bubble shorts. So cute and I love the subtle theme so that my LO could continue to wear it after July 4th.
I like the swiss dot dress because it doesn’t scream 4th of July outfit.
I would love to get my daughter the chambray star dress and eyelet espadrille sandals!! Fingers crossed!
I like the striped bow top. It’s simple but cute!
I love the bicycle tank with the tiered red skirt and the red glitter jellies. I love the one shoulder rompers but think my girl is not quite potty trained enough to be able to get it off fast enough.
OH MY GOSH I LOVE THEM! The kids are adorable. I like the swiss dot top and red bubble shorts for my 19 month old. Why are patriotic clothes so cute?
I have a 3 year old boy who would ROCK the Baseball American Flag Tee, Patchwork Shorts and the Plaid Flip Flops! My 2 year old boy would LOVE the Star Pocket Tank, Plaid Cargo Shorts, and the Baseball Flip Flops! I love summer clothes!
I wish they had the star dress Mazzy wore in my size! LOVE it!
So thinking I’m buying both the romper and the star dress for my 6-year-old! For my little boy, I love the plaid shirt and twill shorts. So cute!!!
Absolutely the chambray star dress!!! Gorgeous!
I love the stars & strips sparkle outfit for my little girl!! Fantastic – and my son would love a flag shirt, I don’t think he has one of those yet.
and I have to say those kids are too adorable – they look like magazine models in lots of those pictures – just amazing!!
The patriotic pup t shirt for my son!
I love the liberty belle sundress for my girls. The whole collection is adorable. Love Gymboree
Tweeted!
I’d get the Baseball American Flag Tee. My son would love it.
LOVE the anchor tee and patchwork shorts!!!
The striped sunglasses. My 2 year old needs sunglasses for every outfit.
Tweeted! I just entered to win a $150 @Gymboree gift card from @mommyshorts! http://bit.ly/1IkCCQE #gymboree
Star pocket tank! I love a tank on a little boy 🙂
The swiss dot dress 🙂
Just one!! The short sleeve plaid shirt for my little boy!
OMG, just one item?!?! I love them all! I guess I’d have to go with the Dots Dress! And, I just love the way Harlow rocks her sunglasses! She is the accessory princess!
Wow — so much cute stuff for my little girls. Love the smocked swiss dot for my younger girls and the star chambray dress for my three year old. and of course the glitter sneakers!
The baseball American tee for both my boys. They would look great at the July 3 AAA Baseball game we go to.
Chambray Star Dress for the twins. They just hit a “we like dresses now” phase. Ugh. :/
I love the Liberty Belle for my daughter and the All star Hoopster for my son! Harlow, Mazzy, Gavin and Luke look very cute..
The Dots Dress is awfully cute. I think I would have to pick that one.
The Safari Animals Dress! Gorgeous!
That star dress is for sure my favorite
I have just tweeted the contest. https://twitter.com/elm31881/status/611209182012817408
You can never go wrong with a good pair of plaid cargo shorts for my boys! Especially when paired with a striped shirt (learning from daddy early on….)
Colorful sunglasses… Too cute!
For my girl, I love the Shining Star Flutter Tee with Striped Shorts. Also love the Eyelet Espadrille Sneakers. For my girl, love the Plaid Flip Flops and Patchwork Shorts. I wish there were more options for boys ;).
I tweeted!
The American flab swim shorts are awesome
The baseball tank for my guys!julie p
My 3 year old son would love the Baseball American Flag Tee – loves anything baseball!! and I would pair it with the Patchwork Shorts and the cute Plaid Flip Flops 🙂
I love the star dress!
I tweeted
https://mobile.twitter.com/Bskb3/status/611213684619096064
Ooh! It’s all so cute. My daughter would love the denim star dress and my son would pick the chambray shorts and plaid shirt. I see shopping in my future!
The star chambray dress!
I love the smocked Swiss dot top and the red jellies!!
The patchwork pants for my 15 month old! Too cute!
My daughter loves wearing dresses so she would love the stripped sundress and the glitter jelly sandals 🙂
I love the Star Pocket Tank with the “United States of Awesome” hat for the two-year old (hats are his new favorite thing). The Anchor Tee paired with the plaid flipflops would be great for the six-year old!
I love the striped sundress for a little girl, but alas I only have boys :-). Mazzy and Harlow were too stinkin’ cute in the Independence Day outfits!
I love the gray Baseball American Flag Tee for my little guys!!
My little guy would rock the Plaid Shirt and Twill Cargo Shorts!
The Plaid Cargo Shorts
I love this blog! Your pictures are just as perfect as your girls!
I love the stars and stripes sparkle outfit. My daughter would love all of them though!
I don’t have a twitter so I hope this comment puts us in the running for the gift card!
I love the striped sundress!
I love the short sleeved Chambray shirt for the little boys!
Tweeted!
Hard to choose only one thing from the collection, but my big guy would love the gray Baseball American Flag Tee.
I love the red Ruffle Tank and Terry Star Shorts for my just turned two-year old!
I love the sparkler girl tank and the red bubble shorts! However, white would probably get pretty messy so my back up would be the denim star dress!
Love the swiss dot dress for my daughter.
the patchwork shorts for my little guy! Soooo cute!
These pictures are gorgeous!
I like the denim star dress.
Love the chambray shirt w/ the Khaki shorts and the American Flag Baseball Hat for my 1 y/o son! Super cute!
love the boys chambray and boys plaid shirts for my little guy! Though he’s hardly ever kept a button-down shirt on for more than 20 min. 🙂
The Romper!
That stars and stripes splah swimset for boys is too cute!
Love the Swiss Dot Dress! Super cute clothes
The Star Chambray Dress for sure! Hopefully there will be more invites to the pool!!
I would pick the plaid cargo shorts and the baseball flip flops for my boy.
I love the striped romper and my girls would love how comfy it is!
I love the red, white, and blue swim shorts!
I tweeted about it!
The red romper is super cute but we are potty training so I’d go with the chambray star dress!
It’s all cute, but I love the stripped romper!!
I’m loving the R/W/B plaid shirts for boys. My twins would look adorable in them and I could find a shirt for their dad to match.
The Dots Dress for my daughter…too cute!
Love the boy’s plaid shirt!!
Just tweeted! Thanks to Kir for doing the same. That’s how I found this page!
The Patchwork Shorts for my 10 year old son or the Striped Sundress for my almost 2 year old daughter. Although, the sundress would still be a bit too big for her now.
Love the Dots Dress for my girl. Cute stuff!
love the American flag baseball bat tee! Would be perfect for my son this summer!
The All-Star Hoopster tee for sure, especially since Marcus is currently in LOVE with basketball and constantly walks around saying “Hoop!”
the chambray star dress is too cute!! the whole collection is adorable!
I also sent the tweet!