Disclosure: I did receive one or more of the below items for free in exchange for this post.
Outfit details: Americana Plaid Button Up // Baseball Flag Tee (underneath) // Gym Navy Flag Shorts // Patriot Red Flag Socks // Patriot Red Flag Sneakers // Flag Sunglasses
When I was younger, my parents and I used to do the same thing every year for Memorial Day: camping at a favorite tree house camp site if the weather allowed for it, or a car show and picnic before watching the fireworks. Living right outside of our nations capitol in Washington, D.C., Memorial Day was just as huge as July 4th for our town.
Now that I’m a parent, my husband and I have started our own traditions for our growing family. H is still super young, at just over 2, and baby Bear hasn’t even been born yet, so right now our Memorial Day plans are still pretty simple, with one big goal – spending time together, enjoying the beginning of the summer season.
Last year we spent the long holiday weekend at our family’s cabin with perfect weather. We walked around the town all morning, enjoying breakfast at our favorite place, spending the morning on the beach, letting H roam around and play in the sand. After a quick afternoon nap, we headed to the grocery store to pick up some steak and veggies to make dinner, and fired up the grill when we got home. Memorial Day is synonymous with barbecues, and its one of my favorite things about the holiday – the warm weather, the smell of the grill, and gathering around the table to eat family style, and that’s just what we did!
This year, we are planning on focusing more on the reason for the holiday – to remember those who gave their lives fighting for our country. Our local State Veterans Cemetery is opening to the public on Monday for a special ceremony to honor the men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice, as well as to honor those who served and are still serving in the armed forces. This year’s ceremony continues with the 50th year commemoration of the Vietnam War and acknowledges 2016 as Idaho’s Year of Military Families. Each gravesite will be decorated with a single U.S. Flag placed with dignity and respect by the local Young Marines a few days earlier, and I have a feeling it will be a powerful sight for us to behold.
After the ceremony, we’ll head to our local farmers market to soak in pick up some yummy fruits and veggies to compliment the skewers we’re grilling for dinner. The weather is supposed to be gorgeous this year, so I have a feeling we’ll be spending most of it outside! To continue with our yearly tradition, we’ll get decked out in our Americana garb, fire up the BBQ grill in the back yard, and enjoy a yummy dinner al fresco!
Because I’m all about doing it up right and going all out for every possible holiday that I can, you know I have to find the perfect outfits for the occasion. Alas, my husband won’t let me dress him for some crazy reason, so it’s down to H and I to get Americana garb for. My outfits definitely aren’t as cute as the ones I picked up from Gymboree’s Americana collection!
Our budget is pretty tight right now since we’re getting ready for another baby and are on one income, so when I was looking for cute Red, White and Blue clothes for my toddler, I was keeping that in mind. I love that Gymboree has so many budget friendly options that are not only super cute and stylish, but are also well made – which is really important when you have a super active toddler!
I wasn’t kidding when I said I go all out for the holiday – H’s outfit is Americana through and through, and definitely something only an adorable toddler can pull off when I put it all together. I may have bought the clothing for the Memorial Day holiday in mind, but the great thing about all the pieces I chose is that they can be mixed and matched with other pieces in his closet, so we’re really getting our monies worth out of these adorable kids clothes!
H is totally obsessed with his new new flag sneakers, and I love that the slip on style is so easy for me to get on and off his chunky feet. While the Baseball Flag Tee and the Navy Flag Shorts are definitely more seasonal, they were so well priced that if he only gets to wear them this summer, that’s fine with me, and we’ll still be able to save them as hand me downs if we have another boy. I’m such a sucker for a good plaid, and Gymboree’s Americana plaid button up is no exception. It’s so ridiculously cute, and is definitely something H can wear year round, so that might be my favorite new piece! To top off his Red, White and Cute, you know we had to go all out with some crazy cute Patriot Red Flag Socks and some super kitschy Flag Sunglasses to complete the look. He will definitely be styling this Memorial Day holiday weekend, and all summer long with these fun pieces from Gymboree!
Do you have any Memorial Day traditions? What are some of your favorite Red, White and Cute looks from Gymboree‘s collection?
Oh my how cute is that outfit. Your little one is supper adorable.
Thank you Rebecca!
These outfits are adorable. I was checking them out when they sent out the email!
I had such a hard time choosing what to get because its all so cute!
These outfits are adorable. I was checking them out when they sent out the email!
Your baby is so cute! I miss living outside D.C. (and on the East Coast in general). SO much more to do out there.
Thats true! There was always something to do at every time of the day!!
That outfit is so cute.The child is so adorable.
Thank you so much!
Memorial day is always best spent with people you love. That's a really lovely tradition and I hope you continue to do it for years to come. H is wearing a very adorable ensemble! Love the sneakers!
Thank you Elizabeth! I hope we can continue it as well 🙂
Oh, he is so cute! Little cute guys are so adorable and he looks great in those memorial day themed outfit!
Thank you Lexie! He had a lot of fun 🙂
I love the clothes at Gymboree. I shop there for my kids all the time.
They have such a great selection!!
I like watching and hearing people celebrate Memorial day, simply because it doesn't really look like an ordinary one with inspired ideas such as the one from this post. I've yet to check Gymboree out but your kid's very cute with that plaid!
Thank you so much, Karla!
Oh, he looks so amazing in that outfit! Your boy looks so happy, I love the smiles in his face!
Thank you Nicole! He's a very happy kid!
Super cute! I love mashing up patterns on little kiddos… can you imagine if an adult wore that… yah not as cute! haha Keep those family traditions new and old coming!
Exactly! Way cuter on him than me! 🙂
Nice outfit, I love looking kids who have great taste in clothing. Although, the moms have all the efforts! Lovely kid.
Ha, I do all the work, but he looks all the cute 🙂
Soooo cute! 💞
That is such a cute outfit. I love shopping at Gymboree. They have some great clothing for kids. I always get something for my girls there.
I love Gymboree. I bought them for my daughters and love that you could wash them a million times and they were still bright. Now I buy them for the grandkids.
Such a cute line, but this kiddo makes it even better!
Aw so adorable! I love the outfits in the Gymboree line and he looks so cute!
This American Collection is so cute! I love all of it. Those star shoes would be perfect for my nephew. =) Yay!
Gymboree never fails on their lines. I really love this one.