Share a Coke and Share a Smile #ShareItForward

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #ShareItForward #CollectiveBias

Here’s a memory: Years ago my family took a road trip down Route 66 through Arizona. My husband is a car enthusiast and we wanted to experience a bit of Americana. Dusty roads, small towns, scenic views… it was fabulous. In one small town, we pulled up in over 100 degree temperatures and we were seriously dying for a drink. The little general store we went into had one of those vintage Coca Cola refrigerators with bottled Coke. There really was no second guessing… we all grabbed a bottle. If you’ve never been parched on a hot day and popped open an ice cold bottle of coke… you can’t possibly imagine the joy that comes over you. There really is nothing better than to share a Coke with your friends and family.

Since this summer has been one of the hottest I can remember, it’s brought back a lot of memories of those past hot, summer days when we would road trip with the kids. We still like to grab an ice cold Coke every now and then. Last weekend, on our stock-up trip to Walmart, we had a grand old time with the Coca Cola demo that was set up in the store. In case you haven’t seen it… Coke is doing a HUGE promotion for #ShareItForward - take a look the next time you are in Walmart.

Free Coke? Yes, please!

Have you seen the new bottles with the names on them? OMG… LOVE! You can find them in special displays at the front of the store and in the coolers near the check-out. But why, oh why, didn’t they have a Carolyn? If anybody happens to find one, please get it and send it to me. I really, really want one. We found David, Amanda and Lauren (not spelled like Lauryn spells her name, but it was close). We also found Rebecca (my niece) and a lot of our friend’s names.

I might have gone a little overboard with the Coke buying. Who am I kidding? You can’t possibly go overboard with the Coke buying.

I’ve really been feeling bad this summer because it’s the first summer that I’m actually working full time. I’m fortunate that I can work from home, but it still doesn’t leave a ton of time to do the fun stuff with the kids. They’ve been feeling a little neglected and I thought I would take them for an afternoon at the pool and then home for a special treat. They deserve it. I deserve it. Hey… who doesn’t deserve a Coke?

And who says that everyday things can’t be extra special? I surprised the girls when we got home with Coke floats. Because the only thing better than an ice cold Coke is one that has ice cream in it.

The last time I was at Walmart I found these vintage reproduction Coke glasses. I always wanted these and they were actually on sale! Obviously, I couldn’t pass them up.

Add some vanilla ice cream (because it really does have to be vanilla) and open a bottle of Coke and you’ve got a ready-made party.

Old fashioned paper straws and a cute printable I made with my kids’ names on them rounded out our evening. The kids were so excited to have their floats and I think I made up for not spending as much time with them this summer as I wanted to. Tomorrow… the beach!