Family Fun Mom Life

Three Things: Summer Edition

August 4, 2024

June and July are already in the rear-view mirror. This might have been the fastest summer on record. August came in blazing, literally, with hundred degree days and wildfires. Thankfully, our high desert still gifts the relief of cooler nights and dawns. Otherwise, it seems best right now to tuck inside with a puppy and a book. Or, tuck inside and make lists about the inevitable: back to school.

It is time again. My kids lovingly told me at dinner tonight that their summer mom has disappeared. Harper said I am now full-on Back to School mom, as evidenced by my increase in speeding while driving and my determination to tackle a list in a timely manner. Jameson just said, “Well, there has been a fifteen percent decrease in your momness.” As in, pleasant momness.

Jason is still calm and steady. Thank goodness there is one of us.

Despite my slight increase in frenzy thanks to the bossy entrance of August, I can say that this summer brought a great deal of tranquility and quiet. There were days spent on the deck sipping coffee and reading books. There were long walks and some scenic bike rides. There were games and new recipes, sprinklers and pools, and a little extra sleep. This post is an ode to the things that were special.

Jason

  1. Fire-master: This summer, Jason and I spent many early mornings sitting around our fire pit. We liked to get up when the sun was still waking, settle in with blankets and coffees, and chat. It was a staple this summer, one that we really loved. Jason finds a little happy when he’s chopping wood and lighting fires.
  2. Master-chef: Jason has experimented with some new recipes this summer. The new favorite is a puff pastry taco. He is still perfecting it, so we will wait to share it until is just right. I love every time dinner is made by someone other than me. On a related note, just today, we enjoyed a family cooking class at our local Sur La Table. We made cherry hand pies, chocolate whoopie pies, and crispy treat.
  3. Yard-master: Despite the heat, our yard looks beautiful thanks to Jason. He is now that middle-aged person who takes his mug of coffee and walks around in the yard checking on each of his bushes, sunflowers, garden plants, grasses, and trees. He always holds out hope, even for the saggiest and droopiest of leaves. He tries not to be aggravated with Finn, but sometimes …

Harper

  1. Harper’s favorite part of summer was our recent trip to Texas to see her Uncle Chad, her Aunt Charanya, and their English bulldog Petunia. We were supposed to visit their new home at the end of May but had to reschedule. When we booked a trip for the end of July, we thought ourselves crazy. Who visits Texas in the middle of summer? Low and behold, it was cooler there than here. We had a terrific time visiting with family, swimming in their pool, shopping in town, playing games, and laughing at stupid Youtube videos together.
  2. Harper is a fantastic dog sister. Finn trusts Harp implicitly and lets her do things that he won’t let the rest of us do (namely, brush him). They two of them have spent a lot of time playing fetch and walking this summer.
  3. We are incredibly proud of Harper. This summer, she attended a leadership program with other middle schoolers from around the front range. She worked hard and created an impressive environmental project to share. She said she loved working with the other kids there and was happy to meet a number of new friends.

Jameson

  1. Jameson is a “baller.” His love for basketball is growing deep. His saunters around the house in his Jordans and goes out to shoot hoops in the cul-du-sac each day. His favorite summer camp was one our local high school put on. He loved Coach K and the high school players who helped out. At the moment, he’s watching the men’s team play in the Olympics.
  2. Jameson is in his egg sandwich era. He has gone from a kid who was completely uninterested in eggs to one who makes one every morning, complete with pepperjack cheese, two slices of toast, and red pepper flakes.
    • 2.a. He calls himself the Spice King.
  3. His favorite part of the summer was also his visit to Texas. Jameson and Petunia were two peas in a pod. Jameson is our family fish, always in the water and loves to swim. It absolutely delighted him to know that his aunt and uncle’s puppy also liked her pool time.

Katie

  1. I spent this summer in a more insular way than usual. I treasured the quieter time and did not reach out as much as I normally do. I think it was my way of practicing some active rejuvenation after last school year’s crash course. I read, walked, and exercised every day. I stayed up late a few times but mostly, not. I did not take any classes and did not go into school until the calendar turned over to August.
  2. Jason bought me a diamond art craft project for a present last year. He warned me it was big and that we should start early. So, we have a holiday-themed project sitting in our office space. It really was Christmas in July around here. And we have barely scratched the surface. It looks like it will also be Christmas in August, September, October, November … It’s cute. Also, if you haven’t tried this, it is quite meditative.
  3. I received a number of letters from my third graders this summer and wrote back to each of them. They made me smile. The kiddos were tough, but I sure won’t forget them. I have started to pop in and out of my classroom, adding touches, making adjustments. My enthusiasm is coming a little more slowly this year, but I feel the familiar flame of excitement, smaller but still there. New faces, new opportunities, fresh start. It’s the beauty of this calendar that my life has never been without.

Part of us will mourn the loss of summer’s slow pace and ease, but we are all creatures of habit, too. We are a family that loves a solid schedule and predictable days and the warmth that comes with the steady changing of seasons. Ready or not, here we go. This week, Jason and I return to work. Harper and Jameson get to spend a few splendid days with their grandparents, having some fun and exploring.

Wherever you are, I hope you are enjoying the last sweet fruits of summer.