There's just so many wonderful moments about summer that make my heart so happy. As we conclude our final week of vacation before school starts back up, I just want to reflect on how thankful I am for this slower, special pace of time. Even in the middle of a pandemic, this summer shaped up to be one of my best ever. Here are 10 things I've loved the most (and will miss most definitely when Chris and I have to start back school next week).
#10: Having the time & energy to do "special activities"
This past Saturday, I organized some Secret Spy Missions for the kids (thankfully a lot of the printables had already been made by a fabulous mom on the Internet, so I just had to add in a few details). Secret Agent Black Viper and Agent Wicked Thunder dressed in their spy gear and detonated bombs following a "robbery", practiced their target shooting and decoding skills, proved their agility in a laser maze, and pieced together the missing clues to complete the mission and receive their reward.
#9 Being able to host playdates on a random weekday
#8 Finding new places to explore together
The kids and I went to Tiger World on August 11th and got to check out some endangered animals with our friends, Mrs. Terri, Parker, and Kenzi. Chris found a family activity for us to do on August 8th downtown Rock Hill (Sidewalk Shakespeare). We got to watch short performances of famous plays and then enjoy discounted food or drinks from the restaurants (like Amelie's and Midtown Pizza). Then at the beginning of August Chris and I took the kids to Greenville to visit Aunt Connie. She entertained us with icecream, a waterfall adventure, Tipsy Taco dinner, a family movie night, and a trip to Reeds Falls in downtown. What fun! We then headed to Atlanta to make up for our missed Spring Break trip that we had planned pre-COVID. We got to visit the Georgia Aquarium Saturday afternoon, stay in a Drury Inn and go swimming that night, and then enjoy a trip to the World of Coca Cola Museum on Daddy's birthday.
#7 Getting our fill of Vitamin D
While this picture of Maggie was actually taken at Aunt Connie's house, we were blessed to have a YMCA membership this summer and were able to check out different area pools. The kids loved going to Baxter (they have the best water slides...according to them!).
The kids have played really well together (most days) and I love the games that they made up themselves along with the props they created (check out this river below). I also have had a good time "trying my hand" at the art of lettering and creating some classroom decor.
#5 Checking off items from our Summer Bucket List
One of the things that Maggie really wanted to do this summer was make Rainbow Chalk Ice. And we were able to do lots of other things this summer as well.
#3 Enjoying the Great Outdoors
#4 Reading books just for fun
We have all turned into some major bookworms this summer! The kids and I were able to read some great books from the York County Library curbside pickup and Riley rediscovered some old classics that Chris and I had on hand like The Hobbit and The Chronicles of Narnia. Maggie is pretty proud of her ability to read Magnus Chase books by Rick Riordan that are over 400 pages!!
This is actually something that I hope we'll be able to continue in the fall and spring as well. Chris found some great trails that are a part of the Carolina Threadtrail and we loved this one that was by the Catawba River. Maggie also had been wanting to catch fireflies for awhile now and she was able to capture this little guy for one night before she released him back into the wild. Ah...the simple joys of summer!
#2 Bonding time as a family
It has been so great to have time and energy to do "fun things" together. Whether it be game nights, cooking desserts like miniature cookies or chocolate lasagna, going places for cold treats like Sweet Frog, Pelican's or QT slushies, mixing up "potions", advocating for a safer return to school, celebrating made-up holidays like "Christmas in July", or watching shows together (Schitt's Creek just for Chris and I and Brain Games as a family), we have truly spent a lot of time together these last few months. And honestly I might just go through some major withdrawals next week. I hope that as things return to a rhythm of work and school, that we don't forget to continue to make time for each other and keep finding excuses to make every day a "special day."
#1 Celebrating LIFE
I love that this summer I was able to turn the big 4-0! It's a little intimidating to be SO OLD, but it's also pretty cool to have such an awesome group of friends and family to celebrate life with. I got to enjoy a very special trip to Key West with my CSTALCK gals (even though our original plans were to visit Jamaica). We ate some incredible food including lobster rolls, bruschetta, and fries with aioli sauce, saw dolphins and Barry the Barracuda on our boat trip, swam in our tiny pool, relaxed with a spa massage and an actually cool pool at the resort, walked and shopped all over town, checked out the beaches, and laughed, cried, and talked our way through an amazing weekend. Then my family made my actual birthday weekend incredibly special as well. They gave me 40 gifts in total and we got to do a hilarious Zoom call. Mom made my favorite cake...hummingbird and I got to just relax and soak in the feeling of being so loved. So many others touched my heart in special ways as well like my friend Michelle from high school who mailed me a care package and family members who sent cards. And we were able to go to my favorite restaurant (Melting Pot) and eat our weight in fondue! This has definitely been a summer to remember! I'm sad to see it go, but as with all things....all good things must come to an end (to make room for other good things to happen!). :)
No comments:
Post a Comment