Happy October, Charleston!

We had a full busy weekend and I am glad we get to slow down a little this week. Shout out to my mom for helping me pick up the kids from school so I could get some extra time for myself!

We have fun newsletter this week! We are still holding onto summer even though its October. Especially at the Memorial Waterfront Park in Mount Pleasant. Lots to do for the whole family, especially since the splash pad is open until the end of the month!

There is a fun weekend with the First Friday Artwalk downtown. Take the whole family and stroll through the galleries around King Street. Then spend this Saturday on Folly Beach with the Mermaids and Matey’s festival. On Sunday check out the annual Latin American Festival at Wannamaker Park.

I had a Mom’s night out at Legami downtown and I have all the details for you! Perfect for a last minute date night this weekend.

Then we end this week’s newsletter with a sweet and thoughtful way to celebrate other parents. Because we are all doing a great job at this parenting gig.

Have the best week!

If you’re looking for a family outing where everyone can find something to do, Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park is hard to beat. There is so much packed into this park that you can easily spend a few hours here without needing a whole itinerary.

The kids can cool off at the splash pad, which stays open through the end of October, making it perfect for those still-hot Charleston afternoons. There’s also an enclosed basketball court, pickleball courts, a dog park and a large playground with three different structures, merry-go-rounds and swings for everyone from babies and toddlers to bigger kids.

One of my kids’ favorite parts is actually the outdoor workout area. They love playing around while Dad gets his workout in, especially when they get to “help” him flip the giant tires. Apparently, watching Dad exercise is much more fun when they get to turn it into their own workout.

Across from the playground, you can grab snacks and drinks at the little shop before heading down to the waterfront. Take a stroll along the pier, enjoy the breeze, watch the boats go by and take in the gorgeous Cooper River views with the Ravenel Bridge overhead.

There are bathrooms with changing stations, plenty of space for strollers and lots of room for kids to run. Whether you stay for an hour or turn it into an entire afternoon, this is one of those Charleston parks that really has something for the whole family.

We're building a coworking space in Hutchinson Square (and it's almost ready).

If you've walked past 128 South Main lately, you may have noticed some activity behind the windows. That's us. For the past few weeks we've been turning a 740-square-foot suite right on Hutchinson Square into Hutchinson Yard, a small, thoughtfully curated coworking space for anyone in Summerville who's tired of working from the kitchen table.

Here's what's going in: a mix of sitting and standing desks, bar stool seating along the front windows overlooking Hutchinson Square, a private conference room for calls and client meetings, a coffee setup, and more.

It's been a lot of sanding, painting, and waiting on furniture deliveries, but the finish line is close, and we can't wait to open the doors for full-time members next month.

Memberships are first come, first serve, and with 740 square feet, spots are limited. If you want a desk in the heart of downtown, join the early-access list (hutchinsonyard.com) and we'll be in touch first.

First Friday ArtWalk | Friday, October 2

Start the weekend with a little art and a lot of Charleston charm. First Friday ArtWalk takes place downtown from 5–8pm, with participating galleries opening their doors for an evening of local art, artists and refreshments. It’s a fun way to explore downtown and can easily double as a date night.

Mermaids & Mateys | Saturday, October 3

Ahoy, parents! Mermaids & Mateys is back on Folly Beach from 10am–4pm, and this year it’s FREE with registration. Center Street will be transformed into an under-the-sea party with 80+ local vendors, live music, costume contests, a dunk tank and a huge kids’ area with mermaids, sand crafts, stilt walkers, free inflatables and games. Dress the kids up as their favorite mermaid, pirate or sea creature and make a day of it!

Latin American Festival | Saturday, October 4

Bring the whole family out for a Latin American festival from 12-5pm at Wannamaker County Park! The annual festival will have dancing, arts and crafts and lots of Latin American and Caribbean food. Think empanadas and arroz con pollo.

If you’re looking for a fun spot for a celebration, date night or just an excuse to get dressed up and eat really good food, add Legami to your Charleston list. Located at 492 King Street, Legami is a modern Italian restaurant that feels equal parts beautiful restaurant, cocktail bar and special-occasion spot.

I went on a Friday night for a celebration, and we had the best time. We started with burrata and whipped honey ricotta, and there was so much on the menu I immediately started making a mental list of what I needed to come back and try. They also have a caviar service, which I did not order this time but cannot wait to go back for, along with their lobster spaghetti.

For my main, I had the Wagyu ravioli, and it was every bit as delicious as it sounds. Legami's menu is built around shareable plates and creative takes on Italian classics, with everything from lobster pasta and Wagyu-filled tortellini to their famous five-course blind tasting experience.

And then there are the drinks. The cocktails are fun and a little different from your typical restaurant cocktail menu, with creative spins on classics like the Legami Martini and That's Amore.

We sat outside on the patio, and it was breezy, cozy and so cute. Legami actually has several different spaces, including its lush Garden, upstairs Lounge and intimate Veranda, so the atmosphere can feel completely different depending on where you sit.

Legami is definitely a place I would save for a celebration, date night or girls' night when you want the whole experience: beautiful surroundings, creative cocktails and lots of food you probably haven't tried before. And clearly, I need to go back because I left with a whole new list of things I still want to order.

One of the coolest parts about doing Palmetto Parents is that somewhere along the way, this little newsletter project turned into deeper friendship. Courtney and I, along with our husbands, have become really good friends, and I’ve loved getting to watch our families grow.

Every now and then, our husbands get to sneak away for a round of golf where they can talk life, business and probably some more about golf, while Courtney and I get to celebrate motherhood together. It’s become this really sweet friendship that I’m incredibly grateful for.

Last Saturday, I got to celebrate Courtney at her ‘sprinkle’ for her third baby boy, who will be here in just about a month. It was so special getting to gather around her, celebrate this sweet little boy who is already so loved and remind Courtney just how loved she is, too.

And it got me thinking about how easy it is to celebrate our kids while forgetting to celebrate the parents who are raising them. We celebrate the first steps, the birthdays, the school accomplishments and the soccer goals, but sometimes Mom just needs someone to say, “Hey, you’re doing a great job,” too.

At one point the fun wine and cheese night turned into thoughtful toast to how Courtney is such a great mom, and she is going to do an even better job with her third.

Parenthood is such a special, exhausting, hilarious and sometimes completely chaotic season of life. We don’t have to do it perfectly, but we can make sure we’re showing up for each other. Bring the coffee. Send the text. Celebrate the baby. Celebrate the mom. Celebrate the dad. Tell your friend you’re proud of them.

So if someone hasn’t said it to you recently, you are doing a great job. All those little sacrifices, hard work and sleepless nights are noticed and appreciated!

Have the best week!

Love, Jenna