Happy Friday!

Tax-free weekend is here, just in time to get ready to go back to school! Last year, South Carolinians saved $1.3 million dollars in taxes during tax-free weekend. Tax exempt items include basic school supplies, computers, headphones, musical instruments, clothing, shoes, accessories and more. It also includes many bed and bath items. Read more tax free weekend here. Celebrate tax free weekend with:

Looking for a unique (and indoor) summer outing that’s both artistic and kid-friendly? Two of the world’s most immersive art experiences—Beyond Van Gogh and Beyond Monet—are currently showing in Charleston for the first time, and they’re perfect for a little family adventure.

Hosted at the Charleston Area Convention Center, these exhibits let you and your little ones step inside the works of two iconic painters through floor-to-ceiling projections, soundscapes, and dreamy visuals. Think: swirls of color, dancing brushstrokes, and rooms that feel like walking through a painting.

If you’ve got young kids at home, don’t worry—there are special toddler hours designed with families in mind! Toddler hour is at 10am on Wedneday August 7th and Wednesday August 21st. During these designated sessions, the environment is more relaxed, welcoming strollers, wiggles, and wonder. Plus, kids 4 and under are free, making it a budget-friendly way to introduce your little ones to the beauty of art.

For families with sensory-sensitive children, there’s a special sensory-friendly show on Tuesday, August 6 at 10am, offering a calmer, quieter experience with adjusted sound and lighting. It’s a thoughtful and inclusive way for everyone to enjoy the exhibit at their own pace.

The shows are only in town through August 31st, so don’t wait to plan your visit. Whether you’re introducing your toddler to water lilies or swirling starry nights, these exhibits are sure to spark creativity and awe—for you and your kids alike.

🎟️ Tickets and details available here.

Abstract Adventures released the fall schedule of art classes, and there’s amazing opportunities for kids of all ages! Beyond the baby sensory and parent & me classes geared towards younger kids, there’s a lineup of classes perfect for homeschooled students! Classes include:

Each class includes both fun and age appropriate projects along with an engaging art history lesson or artist study. See the full schedule with times and days below and read more about the different classes here.

Register for your classes now! Fall classes are all open starting next week and the homeschool classes start the week of August 11th.

Join the Summerville Police Department for National Night Out on Monday, August 5 from 7–9pm at Gahagan Park!

It’s a free, family-friendly evening filled with food, music, live demonstrations, and plenty of community fun. There’s something for everyone, so grab the kids, invite your neighbors, and come enjoy a summer night together.

No registration required—just show up and have a great time!

Looking to buy or sell a home in the Summerville area? Ernest "The Dream Maker" isn’t just a real estate agent—he’s a trusted guide, neighbor, and cheerleader for your next chapter.

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Ernest helped our family find our home after moving from Chicago in 2021, and since then, he’s become the go-to realtor for many of our friends and family.

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Contact Ernest the Dream Maker and let’s make it happen!

As parents, dining out often feels like a trade-off—you either compromise on health, budget, or your sanity during the wait. But we recently found a spot that checks all the boxes: Viva Chicken, a Peruvian-inspired eatery that makes eating out with kids affordable, healthy, and low-stress.

We finally tried the much-talked-about Tacu Tray last week—a generous spread that includes pulled rotisserie chicken, canary beans, cilantro or jasmine rice, salsa criolla, green onions, avocado, tortillas, and your choice of sauces. We also added a side of fries—because, well, balance. It’s advertised to feed 3–4, but for our family of four (with two younger boys), it stretched into two full meals. And the whole Taku Tray is just $29.99. Honestly, it's hard to find a deal that good these days. Want proof it’s worth it? My brother and sister-in-law literally got this for dinner every Sunday for a year because it's that good—and that good of a deal.

They also offer another family meal for $29.99: a whole rotisserie chicken with three family-sized sides—which makes an easy, feel-good dinner any night of the week. Side options include things like different types of rice, beans, green beans, fries, fruit, plantains, and more. Your family is sure to find sides they love!

And it gets even better:

Healthy, delicious, and budget-friendly—Viva Chicken makes eating out with kids feel like a win all around.

There’s something about the back-to-school season that feels like a second New Year. New routines, fresh notebooks, and a hopeful little pause where we ask ourselves: What kind of rhythm do we want for our family this fall?

It’s tempting to go big—early mornings, entirely homemade lunches, no screens after dinner, chore charts that rival a military operation. But this year, we’re trying something different: we’re starting small.

For us, it looks like five minutes of quiet in the morning before the kids are up. Packing lunches the night before. Trying to greet each school day with a smile instead of a scramble (we’re working on it!).

Because small things, done consistently, shape a home more than the grand plans we never get around to. It’s not about the perfect system—it’s about creating enough calm in the chaos to enjoy each other.

So whether you’re rocking a new routine or just surviving the lunchbox grind, know this: steady is better than flashy. And grace always matters more than perfection.

We’re rooting for you as you find your rhythm this school year. ❤️

Love,

The Berks 👨‍👩‍👦‍👦