Happy last week of July, Palmetto Parents!

Anyone else been hit with a round of summer sickness? Since getting back from our travels, it feels like we've had one bug after another—including a run-in with hand, foot, and mouth (definitely climbed the charts of least favorite illnesses over here 🙃).

We’re finally on the mend and planning to stock up on elderberry at the farmers market this weekend. So grateful to be feeling better and ready to soak up these final weeks of summer. There are so many fun events coming up—perfect for making memories and getting the kids excited for a fresh new school year.

Check out our collection of Summerville teachers’ wishlists to give them a morale boost going into the school year! We’re so grateful for everything the teachers do, many of whom go back to work this week and next.

Struggling with back or neck pain? After three spine surgeries, Daniel nearly faced a fourth—until he started seeing Dr. Stoller at Active Care Family Chiropractic in Hutchinson Square. Through adjustments, cupping, and personalized therapy, he avoided surgery and got back to running pain-free.

From spinal decompression to acupuncture and massage, their services support the whole family. I started going too to get help with the common neck and back pain that comes on from all things in motherhood!

Mention Palmetto Parents and get 50% off your first visit (exam, x-rays, and treatment included).

📞 Call (843) 871-2472 to book.
Excludes Medicare/Medicaid due to federal law.

OhMy! Creative Party is part party shop, part craft studio — and entirely delightful. Now that the mega party story closed, it’s great to have a local party shop open! Alongside beautifully curated party-in-a-box offerings, their offerings of in-person craft classes is a great addition to our community.

Their dedicated Crafting Studio is a luminous, naturally lit space within the party shop at 420 Nexton Square Dr. It’s set up to inspire makers of all ages and skill levels.

Key features include:

August is full of fun at the shop! For kids, don’t miss read & craft sessions (featuring favorites like Rainbow Fish and The Very Hungry Caterpillar), a mommy & me stepping stones class, and open crafting times. Grown-ups can enjoy wine glass painting, coaster making, phone case design, and themed nights like date night, sisters’ night, and ladies night. Check out the full August lineup here!

The Summerville Momma and OhMy! are teaming up for a special Mommy & Me back to school crafting class on Sunday, August 3rd at 1pm. During this session you’ll create personalized backpack keychains and back to school photo banners. Get your tickets here for this special event.

Summerville families, mark your calendars! The town’s Movies in the Park series kicks off with a splash—literally—at Doty Park (320 N Laurel Street) on Friday, August 1st, and you're invited to dive into the fun.

This community event is more than just a movie—it's a festive farewell to summer and a cheerful hello to the new school year. Starting at 6:00 PM, families can enjoy:

Then, as the sky darkens, unroll your blanket or pop open a lawn chair for a special screening of The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie (2004) under the stars.

It's a night of nautical nonsense and memory-making you won't want to miss. Huge thanks to Summerville Kiwanis for sponsoring this joyful evening.

🎟️ No cost and open to the public – bring your neighbors, friends & beach towels!

Join Daniel Berk and Troy Munson, two dads with a knack for humor and a love for software, as they navigate the highs, lows, and quirks of building startups — all while balancing the beautiful chaos of parenting.

Two Dads in Tech is more than just another software podcast — it’s a space where the everyday meets the extraordinary, where dry humor softens the sharp edges of tech talk, and where you’ll laugh, learn, and maybe even feel a little less alone in the madness of it all.

This weekly podcast will keep you informed, entertained, and coming back for more.

Tune in and discover what tech dads really think — it’s the podcast you didn’t know you needed.

Watch every episode on YouTube now, and listen anywhere you listen to podcasts.

This is your summer reminder to treat yourself—and your kids—to a stop at Simple Treasures, downtown Summerville’s most delightful sweets shop. Whether you're craving a cold scoop of house-made ice cream or a tall glass of fresh-squeezed lemonade, you’ll be glad you stopped in. One of my favorite memories? Stopping in during early pregnancy, craving lemonade, and watching the woman behind the counter slice fresh lemons for the most perfect, hand-squeezed glass I've ever had.

Located in their shared space with Nailed It DIY Studio at 116 S Main Street, just off Hutchinson Square, Simple Treasures offers more than just ice cream. They serve up popcorn sundaes (yes, that’s ice cream topped with one of their rotating popcorn flavors) and even ice cream nachos—a crunchy, creamy experience kids will talk about for days.

Their popcorn wall is a wonder in itself, with both classic favorites and quirky creations like crab legs, BBQ bacon, blueberry muffin, and cherry pie. Flavors rotate often, so there’s always something new to try.

The ice cream? Made in-house and some of the best around. If you don’t eat dairy, don’t worry—their fresh, flavorful sorbet is a total standout.

Beyond the ice cream and popcorn, you'll also find a selection of handmade candies and chocolates. I rarely leave without a dark chocolate cashew turtle.

You can enjoy your treat inside the cute shop or take it for a stroll through Hutchinson Square—either way, it’s the kind of Summerville experience that makes summer feel just right.

One rhythm Daniel and I have tried to keep in our lives is meeting regularly with mentors—couples who have walked the road ahead of us, with years of marriage and grown children. Their wisdom always brings something grounding and honest.

At a recent meetup, we noticed a pattern: every time we sit down to reflect or seek guidance, something is usually getting in the way. A lingering sickness. Stress at work. Car trouble. Home repairs. Prepping for a trip. There's always some hurdle stealing focus or draining energy.

And it hit us: there’s always something. It’s easy to fall into the mindset of “I’ll finally be the parent, spouse, or friend I want to be once this thing passes.” But if we’re always waiting for life to quiet down, we may be waiting forever.

We’ve decided to stop waiting. We want to learn how to thrive in both the chaos and the calm—to build the habits and show up as the people we want to be, even while the house is messy and the schedule is full.

Of course, grace matters too. Life does get hard. We need to name the stress and acknowledge our limits. But grace isn't an excuse to disengage from the things that matter most—it’s a reminder to ask for help, reset, and keep going.

Whatever’s on your plate this week, don’t wait for the “perfect moment” to show up for your marriage, your kids, or your community. The perfect moment is now—mess and all.

Love,

The Berks 👨‍👩‍👦‍👦