Spending quality time with my girl this summer-- #GladWildlife

When it comes to quality vs quantity I'd probably say most of the time I'd choose quantity. As a kid I never cared how big my birthday or Christmas gifts were, I just wanted a lot. I loved seeing a big pile of gifts strung around my bedroom.

As I've gotten older and more mature I've started to realize how much more quality means to me. I've especially had to live by this with my daughter since I'm away from her during the week at work.

Even now, more than a year and a half after returning to work post-maternity leave, I still have moments of envy, or wonder when I compare my situation to stay at home moms. So I remind myself, it's about quality, not quantity. At least for me (thought it would be nice to have both).

I love summertime. Even though it's bloody hot in Texas, there are so many fun things to do when school is out for all of the big kids. Every weekend and most evenings before the sun sets, I'm trying to jam-pack a schedule I think she'll enjoy.

This weekend of mine we went to the zoo with our good friends, had a mother-daughter dinner out and browsed a half-price book store.

I wasn't snapping away as much as I normally am during these types of occasions but I was making a conscious effort to just enjoy it for once. I caught myself on more than one occasion wondering what happened to my little baby, and marveling at how fun my little girl has become.

Now that she's older there are so many more ways we can have fun. I browse my favorite sites for free fun things to do in Austin, stalk Groupon (and sites of that sort) for deals, and search Pinterest for summertime activities to do with my toddler.

I'm co-hosting a Twitter Party with Glad and SocialMoms on Thursday, June 21, 2012.  Where we'll be talking about summertime activities with kids and more! Please make sure you follow @SocialMoms, @BabyMakingMama and @GladWildLife before the party! We'll be tweeting under the hashtag #GladWildlife and giving away twenty $20 Amazon gift cards randomly to people participating. You can find everything you need to know, and RSVP on the Social Moms site.

Hope to see you there and discuss fun things we can do with our kids this summer!I'll bring my list, you bring yours!