Family vacations are wonderful. And laid-back family at home evenings are equally wonderful. Play can enrich those easy, quiet evenings. There will be much inspiration for adding a dose of fun to life in the Unplug & Play Summit. Different presenters with different inspirations each day. Join me on the final day, Saturday the 22nd. I'll be a "tour guide" for playing in the kitchen as a family. Expect some new ideas you might not have thought of. Like peeling yellow squash and adding the ribbons to the marinara (or meat sauce) the next time you cook pasta. Peeling yellow squash is easy. Good for a younger kid. Come join us! https://www.skool.com/connectthruplay/about #UnplugAndPlay

You all know who makes this community hum, right? It's the ones who show up consistently, ask thoughtful questions, and spark conversations that keep us all thinking and growing. I want to give a great big thank you to @Paulette Ng for bringing creative energy and genuine connection to every thread. @Jen Staniforth who brings two decades of expertise and warmth that lifts everyone around her. @Sandy Chong shows up with curiosity and courage as a fellow baker. @Chanie Twersky creates space for real, meaningful dialogue and play. @Anna Murrietta brings wisdom from years of big-picture thinking and her grandparenting experience. @Brenda Chilstrom generously shares her expertise with such care. @Auli Takala bridges worlds and brings perspective from across the globe. And @Lyndal P shows up consistently to add thoughtfulness to our conversations. If you've been reading along, I invite you to jump in with a comment and join the magic.

I'm wondering if anyone has reference points for having fun with family in the kitchen. I'm sure there have been fun moments for many of you with baking. I'm especially interested in fun times when cooking dinner. Or times you recall when you were a kid watching someone cook. I'll share a memory first.

Sigh, I said I'd never do this. Post and post and post about a summit or single topic. I go from my perspective which is I can get overwhelmed and then, I get a DM saying, how did I not know? You need to share more. So, for those of you like me who thrive on one or two posts a day, know we'll go back to that cadence after August 22. And for those of you who love reading about everything, know that I'll be keeping you hopping until at least August 22. Now, here's what you need to know about the summit today. One important detail about Unplug & Play: children are not simply the topic. They are invited. This is not a week of adults talking about everything families should do later. We’re creating experiences families can step into together. That might mean making bread while discovering why it rises, using technology to create a story or song, picking up a crochet hook or guitar, exploring another language, or learning something that changes the way you understand your child. Some conversations are primarily for caring adults. Others invite children right into the middle of the action. Together, they offer more than information. They give families something to talk about, try, question, make, or continue after the summit ends. I'm still making a few adjustments to the live sessions but go ahead and look at it twice: once for what you want to learn and again for what your family might enjoy doing together.

I’m writing this a little after 5:00 am on Saturday morning. The house is quiet, the tea is brewing, and while we are in different locales, I know @Sandy Chong and I are lining up ingredients and getting ready to bake. Today, @Henry Hunter has chosen Monkey Bread for our bake. I’m going classic sweet but he’s also provided four savory options. Have you ever had monkey bread? I used to make it for the kids- simple fast- yummy. A couple cans of biscuit dough, sugar, cinnamon, gooey yumminess. Today, I learn how to make it from scratch. The recipe looks pretty easy and is ideal for kids helping in the kitchen. I’m using this recipe: https://recipepantry.app/recipes/monkey-bread If you get adventurous and try it come on and share your results here. If you’re a curious baker, Henry is doing a recorded recipe session that you can use at home and then on Wednesday August 19, he’s doing a live session. Check the calendar for the time. Image from Pampered Chef. I can’t find my Bundt pan so I may use a cast iron skillet or loaf pan. Have you ever had monkey bread?