🌴 LEGOs at Magnolia, Indian Food at Nexton, & Red, White & Blue Fun

Happy last weekend of June!

We hope your summer is off to a great start! In case you missed it, our family is currently abroad enjoying a bit of travel (and plenty of adventure). Between the jet lag, meltdowns, and middle-of-the-night wakeups, it’s been a wild ride—but also a really special one. We’re so grateful for the chance to explore and experience parenting in a whole new place.

P.S. If last week’s newsletter didn’t hit your inbox— check your spam folder (where it mistakenly went for some people) and move it to your inbox. There’s some great info about blueberry picking and Luxe Bar & Bistro, including details on how kids can eat free.

TO DO

Summer at Magnolia Plantation & Gardens

Magnolia Plantation & Gardens has long been one of the Lowcountry’s most beautiful spots to explore with kids—and this summer, they’ve made it even more magical. From vibrant art installations to sensory-friendly mornings and extended evening hours, there’s something for every family to enjoy.

🧱 Sean Kenney’s Nature POP!® Exhibit – Now through August 15

If you haven’t experienced this yet, now’s the time! Open daily from 9am to 5pm, Nature POP! features over 40 larger-than-life sculptures made from more than 800,000 LEGO bricks. Designed by artist Sean Kenney, these pop-art style sculptures highlight the beauty and interconnectedness of the natural world—from brilliantly colored foxes to birds mid-flight.

As you stroll through Magnolia’s gardens, the interactive elements and gravity-defying designs make it fun for all ages. The exhibit is included with general garden admission.

🎟 Get your tickets here. Discounted tickets for kids and kids under 4 are free.

🤍 Sensory-Friendly Hour – First Wednesdays at 8am

Launched this past spring, Magnolia now offers a free Sensory-Friendly Hour on the first Wednesday of each month at 8am, designed specifically for individuals with sensory sensitivities and their families.

Enjoy the gardens in a calm, quiet environment—before the gates open to the public. Guests can explore Magnolia’s landscapes, visit the Wildlife Center (with accommodations), and even ride the narration-free Nature Train. Horticulture staff pause all mowing during this hour for a more peaceful visit. Admission is complimentary for sensory-sensitive individuals and one companion, and guests are welcome to stay after the hour ends.

To register, contact Carrie Seiden: [email protected] or call at 843-571-1266 x 2100

🌅 Fridays After Five – Final Night: June 27

Tonight is the last of Magnolia’s Fridays After Five series for the month, and it’s a perfect way to kick off the weekend. The gardens stay open until 8pm, offering golden hour views, evening access to Nature POP!, and add-on experiences like the Nature Train or Boat Tour.

Each Friday has featured rotating vendors, mocktail tastings, LEGO demos, and live music—including performances from local favorites like Run River Run. If you’re free tonight, bring the kids and take in one last summer Friday at Magnolia before the sun sets.

🎟 Get your tickets here. Discounted tickets for kids and kids under 4 are free.

Our favorite art classes have an Ocean-themed July! With Abstract Adventures, kids will dive into creativity all month long with art projects inspired by sea life, waves, and beachy colors—plus, students get to showcase their work in a special art show at the end of July! Our family can’t wait to return once we’re back in town. Want to join the fun? Use this referral link to sign up and new students will get a FREE CLASS in July. Spots fill fast, so don’t wait!

SPONSORED BY

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LOCAL EVENT

Red White & Blue on the Green

Kick off Fourth of July week with Summerville’s favorite patriotic block party! Red, White and Blue on the Green is back tomorrow, June 28, from 9am-12pm in Hutchinson Square, Short Central, and around the Summerville Farmers Market.

This beloved morning celebration brings the community together with classic games, family entertainment (including free face painting) and festive spirit. Come dressed in your best red, white, and blue—or take it up a notch by joining the Uncle Sam & Lady Liberty costume contest in Hutchinson Square. It’s a fun way for kids and adults alike to get in on the patriotic fun!

And yes—the iconic newspaper hats are making a comeback! If you’ve been to this event in the past, you know how popular (and nostalgic) they are.

🎉 What to Expect:

• Family games and hands-on activities

• Live entertainment throughout the morning

• Farmers Market shopping

• Patriotic costume contest

• Community fun in the heart of town

Take note: This is a morning event only and does not include a fireworks show.

RESTAURANT

Naan at Nexton

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Our friends and fellow Summerville parents Stephan and Lauren are some of our most trusted sources of information on good food. Stephan is a talented chef that used to have his own catering company and anytime we get to eat his food it’s a treat. For months we’ve heard them ranting and raving about Naan, an Indian restaurant that up until recently was only located in the Northwoods mall and in Mount Pleasant. But as of last weekend, we now have our very own Naan in Nexton!

Stephan and Lauren tried the Nexton location last weekend and here’s what they had to say:

📍Naan – 1288 Nexton Parkway, Summerville

⏰ Hours:
Monday–Thursday: 11am-3pm & 5pm-9:30pm
Friday–Saturday: 11am-3pm & 5-10pm
Sunday: 12-3pm & 5-9pm

PALMETTO PIECE

Presence Over Productivity By Jenna Winters

There’s something undeniably sweet about summer with our kids. The slower starts to the morning, barefoot afternoons, and the way time stretches just a bit more generously. Being at home with them in this season can feel like a gift—but if we’re honest, it also comes with its fair share of challenges.

Without the structure of school or preschool, the days blur together, and productivity takes a serious hit. The laundry piles up, the dishes cycle endlessly, and suddenly there’s no quiet window to catch up—let alone get ahead. Many of us enter summer with big dreams: a cleaner house, more organized spaces, intentional outings, even a few personal goals. But those goals can quickly feel out of reach when you're parenting around the clock.

And yet, maybe that’s the invitation of summer—not to do more, but to be more.

More available. More grounded. More present.

Last week, a huge thunderstorm rolled through right as I was in the middle of packing and folding laundry. I had decided on a no-screen afternoon (ambitious, I know) and was determined to get it all done. But instead of scattering to their rooms or finding independent activities, all three of my kids carried pillows and blankets into my bedroom and started building a giant cozy nest on the floor. Maybe it’s because my room is usually the cleanest, or maybe it’s because they just wanted to be close to mom. Either way, I had a choice: redirect the chaos or embrace it.

I let it happen.

They made a fortress of blankets and burrowed in, watching the lightning, listening to the thunder, laughing and playing right at my feet. I didn’t get nearly as much done as I’d hoped. In fact, we ended up leaving a birthday party early because I still hadn’t finished packing. But I’d bet anything they’ll remember that quiet, stormy afternoon—the comfort of a room that felt safe, the closeness of mom nearby, the magic of thunder without fear.

And that’s the heart of it, isn’t it?

Our kids don’t need perfectly curated days or an action-packed summer schedule. They don’t need every event to run on time or every corner of the house to be spotless. What they do need is us—our calm, our focus, our attention. They will remember far less about the activities we plan than how they felt during them. Were we tense or joyful? Distracted or tuned in? They’ll remember the warmth of our presence long after the details fade.

So as we settle into this summer season, let’s be kind to ourselves. Let’s measure the success of a day not by how much we crossed off the list, but by how present we were for the little souls in our care.

Because productivity will always wait. But presence? Presence is what shapes their childhood.

Love,

The Berks 👨‍👩‍👦‍👦