Hey Palmetto Parents,

This week has been absolutely gorgeous, and we’ve definitely been taking advantage of all the free outdoor fun around us (who knew kids could be so content riding their bikes on a circular path for an hour!?) I feel like our family is finally starting to find our stride with summer: a little more flexibility, later nights, and definitely a rest time built into the middle of the day. We’re enjoying these days a lot more now that we’re settling into the season.

My son has been out of school for a couple of weeks now, and there has definitely been a learning curve. So if this was your first full week with kids on summer break, give yourself—and your kids—a little grace. Changes in schedules and routines take time, no matter how much preparation you put in beforehand.

This week, we’re sharing details about everything the libraries have to offer this summer (seriously, take a look—there are some really great opportunities for all ages), a blueberry bash in a nearby town, and our visit to the new Blue Café. We hope this issue helps you fill some of those long summer days with fun, connection, and a little adventure.

Have a great week!

The Dorchester County libraries have an absolutely stacked summer line-up of free and engaging programs for people of all ages, from small babies to adults. As you’re planning your summer, make sure you take a look at their 2026 Summer Program Guide and register for any programs that need it so you can enjoy all the library has to offer! I know I will be keeping the guide on hand all summer as I plan out my weeks. Here’s a few things that caught our eye for kids of all ages at the Ashley River and Summerville branches, but definitely look at the guide yourselves because there may be other things that are super interesting for your family and your children’s age groups.

Special Note: On Tuesdays & Thursdays from June 9 - August 4 from 12-1pm in partnership with the Lowcountry Food Bank, the Summerville branch will be serving nutritious lunches to children during summer break. There is no eligibility process for children to participate. Children will receive 5 days' worth of shelf stable meals. Children may stay and eat one of their meals while they participate in a provided activity or grab and go. (First come, first serve. While supplies last).

Earlier this year, I started attending FIT4MOM Summerville classes and quickly understood why so many moms love them. After a rough first trimester and several months of physical therapy for my hip, I finally made it back to class this week—and it reminded me of everything I had been missing.

One of my favorite things about FIT4MOM is how welcoming it is to moms in every season. I modified plenty of exercises to fit where I am right now, while others ramped things up to match their fitness level. The workout met me exactly where I was.

Meanwhile, my boys got the best of both worlds: joining in parts of the workout and playing with other kids in a safe, fun environment. It feels like a win all around. They get social time, I get movement and encouragement, and they get to see their mom prioritizing her health in a practical way.

This summer, FIT4MOM is offering Camp FIT4MOM, an 8-week program running through the end of July with themed weeks like Space Adventure, Under the Sea, Superhero Training, and Animal Kingdom. After class, kids can enjoy themed playgroups, crafts, and activities.

Plus, new members can try 2 weeks of unlimited classes for just $25.

Classes meet Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 9:00am in Gahagan Park. Sign up for your first free class at https://fit4mom.com/location/summerville.

Hickory Bluff Berry Farm | 3019 Old Gilliard Rd, Holly Hill | Saturday, June 6 | 10am–2pm

If you're looking for a fun way to spend a Saturday with the family, the Berry Bash at Hickory Bluff Berry Farm is happening this Saturday, June 6, from 10am–2pm and the weather is looking good!

This family-friendly event combines some of the best parts of summer: fresh blueberry picking, farm games, local vendors, and plenty of treats. Kids can enjoy activities like blueberry bingo, blueberry bowling, and sack races, while families can cool off with blueberry slushies and sample baked blueberry goodies. There will also be food available from The Farmer's Daughter Food Truck, live music, and plenty of time to explore the playground.

While you're there, be sure to browse the local artisan vendors offering handcrafted goods, home décor, candles, artwork, crochet creations, kettle corn, and more. It's a great opportunity to support local businesses while enjoying a day on the farm.

Hickory Bluff Berry Farm is located at 3019 Old Gilliard Road in Holly Hill, about a 30-40 minute drive away from downtown Summerville. Whether you're filling a bucket with fresh berries or simply enjoying a slower pace for the day, Berry Bash looks like a sweet way to kick off summer if you don’t mind a drive to a neighboring town!

We stopped by Blue Café & Wellness Market in Nexton this week, and it struck us as the kind of place that's perfect when you want something quick and convenient but also genuinely nutritious.

Some of you may remember this space as Bomb Bar. After Bomb Bar closed, the location reopened as Blue Café & Wellness Market, and it feels like a natural fit for the health-focused vibe of the area.

The first thing you'll notice is the atmosphere. The space feels calm, bright, and relaxing, which is very fitting for a place called Blue. It's somewhere you'd want to sit for a few minutes, enjoy your food, and leave feeling refreshed rather than weighed down.

The menu focuses on wholesome options like smoothies, breakfast bowls, grain bowls, salads, toasts, and protein-packed drinks. Everything has calories and macros listed, which can be helpful if that's something you pay attention to.

Daniel ordered the Elevated Espresso, a blend of two shots of espresso and protein that worked as both a coffee and a filling snack. I chose the Inochi Bowl—a combination of jasmine rice, chicken, edamame, carrots, sweet potatoes, cabbage, furikake, green onions, and soy ginger dressing. It was fresh, flavorful, and surprisingly filling.

My boys weren't immediately drawn to most of the menu, although I think they'd really enjoy one of the breakfast bowls on another visit. They were, however, very excited about the market area, where they each picked out a protein blondie covered in sprinkles. It felt like a fun treat for them while still offering a little more staying power than a typical dessert.

If you're in the Nexton area and looking for a healthy breakfast, lunch, smoothie, or afternoon pick-me-up, Blue Café & Wellness Market is definitely worth a stop.

Location: 424 Brighton Park Blvd, Summerville, SC 29486

Hours:
Monday–Friday: 6:30am–3:00pm
Saturday–Sunday: 8:30am–2:00pm

It's funny looking back at my twenties and remembering how much I thought I knew.

At the time, I felt so grown up. I had a degree, a job, opinions about everything, and a pretty solid confidence that I understood how the world worked. Looking back now, I laugh a little. Not because I was foolish, but because I had no idea how much I didn't know.

Now I'm in my thirties, and it feels like every week I discover ten new things I need help figuring out.

This week alone, I FaceTimed my grandma for gardening advice and consulted AI multiple times about my flowers. Nothing humbles a person quite like trying to grow plants. One minute you're envisioning beautiful zinnias and blueberry bushes. The next you're standing in your yard asking, "What in the world is eating all the leaves?" (The current leading suspect is slugs.) Suddenly you're out there sprinkling coffee grounds around your plants because someone on the internet said it might help.

And don't even get me started on my hydrangeas. They were thriving, and then seemingly overnight they started turning green and brown. If anyone has answers, I'm all ears.

The funny thing is that this doesn't stop with gardening. I've been cooking for years, and I still regularly call my mom with questions. I ask other parents for advice. I ask neighbors. I ask friends. I ask Google. I ask AI.

The older I get, the less I feel like I have everything figured out.

But maybe that's actually a good thing.

Maybe maturity isn't arriving at a place where you have all the answers. Maybe it's becoming comfortable admitting when you don't. Maybe it's recognizing that wisdom isn't knowing everything, it's knowing who to ask.

So these days I'm trying to embrace being a lifelong learner. Whether it's parenting, gardening, cooking, marriage, or anything else life throws my way, I'm realizing there's always more to learn. And honestly? I think that's part of what keeps life interesting and I love getting to model being a lifelong learner to my boys!

Love,

Courtney, Daniel, and the Berk Boys

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