Good morning, Summerville!

We are deep in the heart of summer now. The 4th of July glow has faded, back to school is still a few weeks away, and our house is in full cruise control mode — pool days, late bedtimes, and the occasional meltdown that nobody saw coming. We wouldn't trade it, but we'd be lying if we said this stretch of July wasn't also the one that requires the most creativity (especially with us still in the midst of potty training).

This week, we’re sharing about hidden gem that is the perfect summer outing for this particular stretch of heat. We also have the details about some really fun events for Spiderman fans and teens and also tell you why waking up early on a Saturday morning to try Laila’s Lowcountry Sourdough is 100% worth it. We hope you have a great week!

If your family is looking for a beach day without making the drive to the coast, Lion's Beach in Moncks Corner is a fantastic summer option. I keep hearing other moms talk about it, and it’s definitely at the top of our list as something new to try! While we are in the stretch of summer days where you are looking for things to do, we wanted to share the details here in case it’s not on your radar yet. Lion’s Beach opened to the public on June

Lion’s Beach is located at the Berkeley County Waterfront Park on Lake Moultrie, (about 30 minutes from Summerville) and offers a calm swimming area that's perfect for cooling off on a hot day. Unlike the ocean, the lake's gentle water makes it an especially fun spot for younger kids to splash, swim, and play. Lifeguards are on duty throughout the day, giving parents a little extra peace of mind.

Beyond the beach, the park also features boat ramps, a mega boat landing, walking trails, public restrooms, and plenty of parking, making it easy to spend several hours enjoying the outdoors. There’s shelters and picnic tables along the beach area that are perfect for bringing a lunch or dinner along. You can pack a picnic, bring your sand toys, and settle in for a relaxing day by the water.

Lion's Beach is located at 933 Broughton Road in Moncks Corner and is open daily from 10am–6pm. Admission is $5 per person for ages 4 and older, making it one of the more affordable family outings around. One thing to note before you go: while the beach is fully open, portions of the surrounding park are still undergoing construction.

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If your kids are as Spidey-obsessed as ours, this is one event you won't want to miss!

On Saturday, July 18, at 2:30pm, Tweedle Beetle in Nexton is hosting a Spider-Man Meet & Greet + Photo Opportunity. Kids will get the chance to meet their favorite web-slinging superhero in person, and you're welcome to take as many photos as you'd like to capture the moment.

The event is $15 per child, and you can reserve your spot here.

While you're there, take advantage of everything Nexton Square has to offer! Grab lunch at one of the nearby restaurants, stop for a sweet treat, or simply enjoy walking around the area to turn the visit into a fun family afternoon.

As parents of younger kids, we know a lot of our content naturally focuses on activities for little ones (though we always try to include something for families with older kids, too!). This week, a few events for teens caught our eye, so we wanted to be sure to share them with those of you in this stage of parenting.

The Dorchester County Libraries also have a couple of great teen events coming up. We shared their full summer calendar earlier this season, but these are definitely worth highlighting:

A few Saturdays ago, we all woke up early, and I knew exactly what I wanted to do.

Every time we've visited the Summerville Farmers Market later in the morning, Laila's Lowcountry Sourdough had already sold out of many of their most popular items. After watching the excitement build around their breads, cinnamon rolls, donuts, and pastries at the Winter Farmers Market—and then seeing that same buzz continue into the Summerville Farmers Market—I knew we were missing out on something special.

So this time, we made it to the market right when it opened at 8am, and it was absolutely worth setting the alarm.

Since we don't often find ourselves out that early on a Saturday, we went a little overboard with our order (no regrets!). We picked up a cinnamon roll, a double chocolate espresso scone, and a raspberry donut, and every single thing lived up to the hype. My husband and our four-year-old both declared the cinnamon roll their favorite, while I still find myself craving that rich double chocolate espresso scone on a regular basis.

Laila's is a small-town micro bakery that began in 2023, specializing in naturally leavened, long-fermented sourdough breads and handcrafted pastries made with organic, high-quality ingredients and locally sourced produce whenever possible. Their menu changes from week to week, but you'll often find artisan sourdough loaves like Original, Jalapeño Cheddar, and Everything, along with giant cookies, seasonal pastries, donuts, and their incredibly popular cinnamon rolls.

If you're hoping to snag one of their most sought-after items, I highly recommend placing a preorder before market day. You can reserve your order online, choose your pickup time, and skip the stress of wondering whether your favorites will sell out before you arrive. Of course, they also bring extra items to the market each week, but the earlier you go, the better your selection will be. This weekend is the Christmas in July market, so they already posted that they will feature their highly requested s’mores donut this Saturday.

Whether you're picking up a fresh loaf for the week or treating your family to a special Saturday morning breakfast, Laila's Lowcountry Sourdough is one of those local businesses that's easy to understand the hype around once you've had your chance to try it!

Lately, I've noticed a lot of conversations about how the best marriages and friendships are the ones where people anticipate each other's needs. The idea is that if someone really knows you, they should just know what you need before you even have to ask. And while I think that's a beautiful gift when it happens, I've also realized it's not the healthiest expectation to build our relationships on.

One of the best things Daniel and I have learned in our marriage is to simply tell each other what we need. Sometimes that sounds like, "I need you to take the kids outside for 30 minutes." Sometimes it's, "I need the kitchen cleaned up before I can really relax." And sometimes we don't even know exactly what we need. We just know what we’re feeling. In those moments, I've learned it's okay to say, "I'm overwhelmed," or "I'm feeling anxious," or "I'm having a hard day." Giving the people who love us a window into what we're experiencing is so much better than expecting them to read our minds.

The flip side is just as important. When someone you love tells you what they need, believe them. You don't have to fully understand why they need the house organized a certain way, why they need an hour alone, or why something that seems small to you feels big to them. You simply have the opportunity to love them in the way they've asked to be loved.

I've found that the healthiest relationships aren't built on mind-reading. They're built on honest communication, humble listening, and people who are willing to respond with grace. So this week, here's my encouragement: don't make the people you love guess. Tell them what you need. And when they tell you what they need, do your best to meet them there.

Love,

Courtney, Daniel, and the Berk Boys

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