This post is sponsored by Marshalls.

The sun has slipped past the top of the trees in our back woods, suddenly shifting the light in our dining room from bright and energizing to a dim calm, a sign that the day is quickly fading. Some days I welcome this fade–when there’s not as much to do and the day’s been kind to us, but tonight the light shift makes me anxious. There’s still so much do, and I’m well behind, exhausted from kids and too much decision making and a brain that started too early this morning–4:30, to be exact. Brett’s offered to run out and pick up something for dinner, and I’m relieved.

“Where do you want me to go?” he asks, handing me a stack of wrinkled take-out menus from our junk drawer. “Go ahead–pick something out.”

It’s one more decision I don’t feel like making, and to be honest, I’m too tired to even know what I want. “You know what?” I suggest, “Pick anything. Don’t even tell me. You know what I like. Just surprise me.”

He accepts the mission and leaves the house, and something funny happens while he’s gone…I wake up a little. Something inside me gets excited, not just because food’s involved, but because I’m about to be surprised. What’s he going to bring home? The possibilities are endless. Well, actually they aren’t because–duh–Brett will choose Mexican food 10 times out of 10. But still, there’s something about that element of surprise.

Have you ever wondered about the amazing possibilities that come from shaking up the most predictable parts of your day? I mean, there’s a reason our kids get excited about summer bucket list jars with folded pieces of paper holding the next adventures written on them rather than just listening to us announce what we’re going to do for the day…because surprises are fun. Out-of-the-box, forcing us to give up a little of that control we hang to and experience the freedom of letting go. And we have the power to make our life more adventurous just by making the choice to change up our routines. Order that thing you can’t pronounce on the menu even though you don’t really know what it is.

So you can imagine my excitement when Marshalls reached out to me with this adventurous partnership idea–to encourage people to do just that: Choose Surprise.

Short story: I’m taking a trip with my best friend to a mystery location. That’s right, our bags are packed and ready, and we have no idea where we are going and won’t find out until we arrive at the airport in two days.

Longer story: First of all, I totally love this idea, and everyone I’ve told about this trip and how it works has had the same reaction: “A: This is brilliant, and B: I need more of these kinds of things in my life.”

For this partnership, Marshalls is teaming up with Pack Up + Go (a travel agency that specializes in creating surprise destination trips) to highlight what makes Marshalls special–the fact that, because they have new brand name and designer fashions arriving several times a week and every store is different, you never know what you are going to find inside…but you can be confident that you are going to love it. Every time you walk in the door at Marshalls, it’s a surprise (maybe that’s why I stop by there so often…the thrill of finding something new!).

So here’s how it works. Heidi and I filled out a travel survey of things we like to do, places we’ve recently traveled to and generally the kinds of adventures we enjoy on trips. It’s out of our hands now. We know we are traveling somewhere in the United States and that we won’t have more than 4 hours of in-the-air time to get there. And we know what to expect for weather and were given a pack list.

So, to Marshall’s I traveled with a gift card, my pack list and my adventurous spirit ignited because…Mystery Trip! Here’s where the fun part really kicked in. Because the entire theme of this shopping experience and this trip is getting out of our box, changing things up, and surprising ourselves, I got a little adventurous with picking things out for the trip. I mean, if it’s a colorful, cultural city we’re visiting, I might want something more wild and vibrant. A dress? A romper? Heels? Fun sunglasses? Why not?

I’ve been a Marshalls fan for years and love their surprising selection of high-quality, on-trend designer merchandise at amazing prices. But what I really noticed shopping for this trip is that they truly are a one-stop-shopping spot for travel planning. Suitcases, purses, sunglasses, fashionable clothes, shoes, snacks, beauty items and all the travel accessories you need from neck pillows and ear buds to those cute little shampoo bottles.

Everything I’m bringing on this trip is from Marshalls, and I had so much fun putting it all together.

Here’s what I found…

For the plane:

I fell in love with the shorts romper–it’s super comfy and fits like a glove.

Because we do know that we’ll be doing some walking and exploring, I want to be able to carry my camera without lugging a camera case. I have a neoprene wraparound case for my camera but wanted a stylish backpack that could pass as a purse. Love this thick canvas one…

…and this gorgeous soft-as-butter Italian leather clutch that I can slip in the backpack during the day and use as a purse at night.

And what, might you ask, do you pack when you have no idea where you are going? Well, we were given a few guidelines so we aren’t unprepared, but the rest was all fun and adventure. Marshalls had it all. I will naturally overpack a little, especially because wherever we are going might inspire me in a different way once I get there. Some of what I’m bringing for this bustling city/charming town/seaside village/fill-in-the-blank…(all Marshalls and so many of them major department store brands I already love but at unbelievable prices):

I also stocked up on some beauty supplies (they have top brand name make-up and toiletries!) for the trip. I love to hit Marshalls men’s department to pick up a shaving case for my make-up. I like them better than deep purse-type makeup cases because they open flat and I can see my stuff better. I picked up a few fun things like face masks and nail polish too, so Heidi and I can watch a movie and do a spa night in our room after adventuring one day.

Finally, a few of my favorite packing tips I’m using for this trip:

1. I roll my clothes. It helps me see what I’ve packed so I stay more organized rather than rifling through piles to get to that shirt at the bottom and it’s a great use of space.

2. Zippered bags: Marshalls had a pack of these great zippered mesh bags that I love using in my suitcase to keep my intimates separate and keep my jewelry in. Most suitcases have only one zippered pouch, and I find I need more than that. Also, I tuck a few dryer sheets layered in my clothes to keep things smelling fresh.

3: The Hat Trick. I love bringing a hat on trips, but they can be hard to pack, take up a lot of space and can get easily crushed…but not if you pack it like this:

But my favorite thing of all I picked up at Marshalls? My sleek new suitcase and this adorable popcorn luggage tag! Ahhh! Look how cute it is! Never again will I need to check fifteen other black suitcases before finding my own. I’ll just look for the popcorn.

(and yes, hat–Marshalls. Favorite new lace-up sandals: Marshalls)

Walking into Marshalls to prepare for a surprise vacation and finding all these fun things I never expected…well I’m ready for adventure.

Heidi and I have never taken a trip together, just the two of us, that wasn’t for a wedding or a retreat or something we had to do. We are both so excited, and even more so because of the surprise element.

We’ll find out at the airport, and I’ll be sharing our adventures and where we are going over on Instagram and Facebook throughout the trip.

This post is sponsored by Visit Florida.

It should be noted that while I’m writing this, Brett has steel drum music blaring in the house right now like we are islanders. Like we’re on vacation. Like this laundry is going to disappear and be replaced with a cabana. It’s his new thing–steel drums, 24/7, preferably poolside. The cool thing is, we live in a state where that island vacation feeling is pretty accessible given our climate and our landscape of tropical palms and beaches. And when we want to explore that feeling a little deeper, there are some amazing tourist attractions just hours away. Last week, we kicked off our summer vacation visiting one of those places, Universal Studios brand spankin’ new Volcano Bay™ water theme park…and we are smitten.

It has everything you want when you’re seeking the thrill of a theme park–rides, rides and more rides (18 attractions, to be exact); but our favorite thing about the park is that it appeals to the laid back crowd as well with a huge stretch of beach that faces the volcano (yes, volcano!), two-tiered cabanas and the most incredible lazy river I’ve ever experienced–waterfalls, grottos and illuminated caves. And there’s so much for little kids.

But first, the bus ride. Our hotel shuttle picked us up in the morning, and I don’t know if it was the anticipation of getting to Volcano Bay or the excitement of riding a bus, but the kids were giddy.

Dash had this funny plastered smile on his face that Lainey and her friend labeled the “bus smile”. Numerous times for the rest of the trip, they asked him to show us his “bus smile”–which he did, sending the girls into fits of laughter.

We had talked about the volcano before the trip and had shown the kids pictures, but watching them take it in when we rounded that first corner of the park was such a treat. Nella gasped and whispered, “The volcano!” It’s called Krakatau™ and it really is spectacular–completely monstrous with caves hidden throughout that you can swim through, a walking path hidden behind the waterfall and rides built into it including a drop tube toward the summit (none of us were brave enough).

Nella did the sand body test and approves–soft like sugar.

We brought Lainey’s good friend Maggie with us, and it was so nice having someone for her to explore the big kid stuff with. Plus, Maggie feels like family and overlooks our craziness.

Favorite things about the park:

The TapuTapu™ bracelet. Everyone gets one for the day when you check in to the park, and not only do they hold your place in line for rides (kind of like a restaurant buzzer), but they allow you to interact with hidden features all over the park so you can turn fountains on, open your locker with it and link up your credit card so you don’t have to carry anything. The little kids loved using theirs to activate surprises.

We lost it when Dash walked by this carving and it started making noises. He was mesmerized.

And the park attractions for little ones? After we set up camp on the volcano beach, I left Brett with the kids for a bit while I went exploring. Upon discovery of Tot Tiki Reef and Ranamukka Reef, I texted Brett: “Oh my God. Abandon ship and meet me in the back. The kids are going to freak.”

It is there that their bravery soared. In fact, I climbed to the top of a massive water play structure with Nella and Dash, not at all expecting that they’d attempt the slide, but they got in line. Totally out of character for both of them, Dash decided he didn’t want to do it while Nella jumped in front of him and, before I could caution her, took off.

I was dodging kids, running to try and meet her, yelling to Brett at the bottom, “She’s coming! She’s going down! Did you see that? OUR HESITANT KID JUST WONDER WOMAN’D THAT SLIDE, DUDE!” From there, she was unstoppable.

And her proud smile? Electric–could have powered that whole theme park.

It was raining in Naples while we were gone, but thankfully most of our park day was beautiful.

And when it did rain, we got cozy inside a restaurant for lunch and then explored more of the park in a misty haze that added to the allure of a volcano island.

I love this picture:

Another moment of bravery–Nella did not want anything to do with exploring the waterfall, but Brett scooped her up and gently guided her along.

Sometimes you need your dad to help show you that things aren’t as scary as you imagine them to be. She loved it.

I didn’t brave taking my camera on the lazy river, but the caves were stunning.

We finished the evening exploring Universal Studio’s Citywalk™ and Brett found his mothership–Antijitos Mexican Restaurant.

It was the perfect summer kickoff for our family, and the kids are already asking to go back.

Somehow, they’re not buying that this steel drum music by our own pool is the same thing.

The best way to sight see Florida in the heat of the summer? Water. Water, water, water.

Bonus…water with a view.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of VISIT FLORIDA. The opinions and text are all mine.

Summer is a bit like marathoning in that, if you know what you’re doing, you don’t sprint in the beginning. You jog–freely, lightly–saving the real efforts and mind games for when you’re fourteen miles in, your big toe is bleeding, your left knee is blown and you quite possibly crapped your pants without knowing it. I mean, I’ve never run a marathon, but I think this is how it goes which is exactly why I don’t plan on running a marathon. Where were we though? Yes, summer. So maybe I sprinted those first couple of days. Maybe it wasn’t necessary to have a kid spa day/movie day/pool party/art party/double sleepover all in two days. The thing is, I knew this. But I did it anyway because I get excited, and also I am ten. Let’s just say yesterday–officially Day 5 of Summer–I was struggling a bit. Like I called my sister with, “I think I made some irrevocable parenting mistakes today and yelled like I’ve never yelled before and it’s likely this day will one day be talked about in a therapy office years from now.” My favorite thing about calling my sister and admitting these things is that she got a head start in parenting and always tops my stories with her own, and her girls are all turned out lovely and don’t hate her.

“Kelle, don’t you remember that one time with Savannah?” she reminds me today, “When I put her in her room after losing it, and I heard her mumbling and crying? I went in to ask her what she was doing and she cried, “I’m PRAYING! That God will help you be a better MOM!”

We slowed the pace a bit and are resting and unwinding today. Light jog, folks. Light jog.

When we’re not simultaneously juggling pool floats, shucking corn and hosting a lemonade stand in the middle of our yard sprinkler, we are enjoying…

Downtime…see look! Downtime! Quiet rest and not bucketlisting the shit out of summer! 

Living room forts and movies with school friends…

Dancing…”Alexa, play Let Me Love You”…

Dogs that are super old and still kickin’. Ever seen Croods? The grandma who answers “Still Alive!” every time her name is called? Totally our dogs. 

Sitting on the lanai during rainstorms…

Looking at our travel books to get excited about summer adventures…

Summer naps (rare and cherished)…

Our kids’ alter egos…respectively Superman:

…and Mary Lou Retton:

When Dash gets in trouble and you’re talking to him and he puts his hands in front of his face so he doesn’t have to look at you (does it all the time now and it’s so hard not to laugh)…

He balances it all with so much sweetness, so we’re good…

Matchy matchy summer style…

Public House lunches…

Using the summer to hit up some of Naples touristy spots like Tin City…

One more thing…thank you for all the comments and amazing book recommendations on our 50 Favorite Picture Books post. Oh my goodness, if you’re looking to build up your kids’ libraries, check out the comments–so many great recommendations and several books I’m excited to check out that we’d never heard of before.

Happy Weekending!