I Crashed The Web

Hi friends! Grab a cold brew (if you’re B) or a Spindrift (if you’re me) because I am determined to hold onto summer for as long as possible. Let’s catch up for a virtual coffee date! If we were having coffee today, I’d tell you that…

I’d tell you that the last time we chatted, I mentioned that we didn’t have any summer travel plans yet. Well, that changed quickly! Now that we’re in August, I’m happy to report that we’ve managed to fit in quite a few adventures. We spent a long weekend in Atlanta, where we got to visit one of B’s friends and check out the FIFA Fan Festival, which was such a fun World Cup experience. We also just got back from a few days in Albany visiting my parents, followed by a few days exploring Montreal. It has been a great summer for making memories and seeing new places. Maybe next year we’ll finally make it to the ocean!

(Below photos – Montreal, Saratoga, Atlanta, Smoky Mtn. National Park)

I’d tell you that our outdoor movie night idea has actually been a success. We’ve hosted two outdoor movie nights this summer and invited neighbors, friends and family over to join us. It has been such a fun and easy way to spend a summer evening together. We even ended up hosting an unexpected third movie night after a high school friend stopped by with his two daughters while they were passing through town one Monday night.

I’d tell you that we officially wrapped up our summer sports season, and while we had so much fun, I was also very ready for a break. GM and LM spent much of the summer at swimming lessons, which had us at the pool almost every evening. Meanwhile, LM and FW had great seasons playing softball and baseball. One of the highlights was watching FW pitch. By the end of the season, he was the starting pitcher for nearly every game, and it was so much fun seeing his confidence and skills grow throughout the summer. We had wonderful teams, great families, and made lots of memories along the way. As much as I enjoyed it, I have to admit I was pretty happy when the season ended and we finally had a few evenings without rushing from one activity to the next!

I’d tell you that I’ve been doing a lot of baking lately. Between three kid birthdays in May, June, and July, plus our movie nights and various summer gatherings, the oven has been working overtime. Some highlights have included an ice cream cake, an ice cream sandwich cake, baseball sugar cookies, lentil banana muffins, lemon sugar cookie bars, white chocolate macadamia raspberry cookies, raspberry bars, s’mores bars, chocolate chip date granola bars, Fourth of July-themed desserts, and plenty of other treats. This week was National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day, so the kids and I celebrated by baking a batch together. Chocolate chip cookies may not be fancy, but they’re hard to beat when they’re fresh out of the oven.

I’d tell you that even though we love being outside as much as we can during the summer, the Canadian wildfires and some rainy days let us find some fun indoors. Fun included using some of the kids’ new toys (GM loves his marble run), piano (LM had some fun Christmas in July playing Christmas songs!), hitting up SkyZone for GM’s bday celebrations, doing crafts at the library, and more. I still prefer time outside!

I’d tell you that my hip is feeling really good, which I’m incredibly grateful for. Back in April, I was diagnosed with a torn hip labrum, and I wasn’t quite sure what the next several months would look like. Since then, I’ve done my hip physical therapy exercises nearly every single day. I think I only missed one day all summer, and that was while we were traveling. It must be helping because I’m feeling stronger and able to keep running without major issues. I also had to take a 3-week break from lifting weights after getting stitches in my arm, but I was finally able to start strength training again this week. Wow, did I lose strength faster than I expected! Even so, I’m feeling healthy, happy, and thankful to be running and lifting again.

I’d tell you that I am absolutely not ready for summer to be over. August always feels a little bittersweet. School starts this month, and summer is still my favorite season. Ironically, this week has been our only week all summer with no sports practices, games, or major commitments besides piano lessons. We have been soaking up every minute of it. Soccer starts back up next week, and I know once school begins our calendar will somehow become even busier than it is now. I love getting back into real routines, but I also know these long summer evenings and mornings of waking up “late” are numbered.

That’s what’s going on in my world right now. A lot of travel, a lot of baking, a little less structure than usual, and an attempt to enjoy these last few weeks of summer before the school year begins.

What’s new with you?

• Are you ready for back-to-school season, or are you holding onto summer as long as possible?
• What’s the best thing you’ve baked lately?
• Have you hosted any outdoor movie nights or other summer traditions this year?

Linking up with My First 5K and More, Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and The Running Teacher for the Fit Five Friday linkup and the Ultimate Coffee Date hosted by Coco and Deborah