Amy Scott's Thoughts

What I’ve Been Reading – September 2024 September 30, 2024

Filed under: Amy's Bookshelf — Amy Scott @ 1:00 pm

Bookish Thoughts for September

It’s been a very fictional fall for me! I’ve been in book heaven with so many new releases this month. It seems like each week I’m looking forward to a new book! This month, I enjoyed new Christmas novellas from Melody Carlson and Roseanna M. White. I couldn’t wait for the Christmas season to read them. I had to start them right away! When I wasn’t reading a new release, I was filling my time by binge reading Kasey Stockton’s regency romances. The regency era isn’t my favorite genre, but it was nice to mix things up and camp out there for a while. A big thanks to Kasey Stockton for filling my September!

A good chunk of my month has been quiet and around the house. My husband’s work schedule shifted and hunting season started at the same time. For a couple of weeks it felt like Jeremy was only eating and sleeping at home. In his absence, I became the parent that held down the fort at home. The boys did join Jeremy out hunting a few times which meant I got extra time to read. I’ve been playing those cozy (aka cheesy) YouTube videos with falling leaves, crackling fires, and soft piano music while I snuggle in with a good book. September has definitely been my month to stay home with my nose in a book. Not a bad way to welcome my favorite season of the year!

Top Picks for September

I’ve read *At Your Best* three times now. It’s such a good book for calibrating your calendar and priorities! I’ve made it annual read to keep me on track. Roseanna M. White is go-to author for me and Christmas novellas make my heart happy!

The Book List for September
1 Star = I did not like it. 2 stars = It was okay. 3 stars = I liked it. 4 stars = I really liked it. 5 stars = It was amazing.

Non-Fiction:

House Rules: How to Decorate for Every Home, Style, and Budget by Myquillyn Smith – 3 stars
At Your Best: How to Get Time, Energy, and Priorities Working in Your Favor by Carey Nieuwhof – 5 stars
How to Walk into a Room: The Art of Knowing When to Stay and When to Walk Away by Emily P. Freeman – 2.5 stars

Fiction:

When in Rome by Sarah Adams – 3 stars
Don’t Go Faking My Heart by Kate Watson – 3 stars (new release)
Once Upon a Boyband by Jenny Proctor – 3 stars (new release)
West of Port by Carina Taylor – 3 stars (new release)
Finding Jack by Melanie Jacobson – 4 stars
Reel Love by Savannah Scott – 3 stars (new release)
The Christmas Tree Farm by Melody Carlson – 3 stars (new release)
Christmas at Sugar Plum Manner by Roseanna M. White – 4 stars (new release)
Sensibly Wed by Kasey Stockton – 3 stars
Pleasantly Pursued by Kasey Stockton – 3 stars
Honorably Engaged by Kasey Stockton – 4 stars
Properly Kissed by Kasey Stockton – 3 stars
A Noble Inheritance by Kasey Stockton – 3 stars
To Forge Her Fate by Kasey Stockton – 3 stars
A Proper Governess by Kasey Stockton – 4 stars (new release)
Journey to Bongary Spring by Kasey Stockton – 3 stars
Through the Fairy Tree by Kasey Stockton – 3 stars
The Enemy Across the Loch by Kasey Stockton – 3 stars

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Autumn Adventures! September 28, 2024

Filed under: Family Time,Homeschool Adventures,Travels — Amy Scott @ 1:41 pm

Autumn is my favorite season. I could be done with my blog in just that one sentence. But… that isn’t how I roll and you know it! Autumn is my favorite season for adventuring. I love fall activities and there is a sense of making the most of the good weather before the rain settles in for what feels like forever. Late September and the month of October hold my favorite traditions and outings! Lots of fun to be had!

Jeremy wrapped up his hunting season on Thursday, September 19th. He is more in sync with our family schedule again. It’s good to have him back! We planned a family adventure for the next day after hunting season. We visited a local zoo thanks to free tickets from our library summer reading program. We had the zoo mostly to ourselves. Homeschooling gives us the ability to visit places while others are at work or school and I love avoiding crowds! In fact, we talked to a lot of zoo employees because we were the only ones around. It was also a cool, misty morning. In the PNW, weather can also keep crowds away. The animal must love mornings like that, though, because they were all out and active! We saw animals we don’t usually see, like the Arctic foxes. The red wolves and clouded leopard were actively running around their enclosures. It was worth adventuring on a chilly morning to see active animals.

The zoo kicked off a busy week for our family. September was very quiet and then bam! For one week, it was not quiet at all! Friday was the zoo and we ran errands while in town. I came home in time to turn around for book club on Friday night. Saturday was a full day at church for our annual Women’s Conference. This year I led a crafting workshop after lunch. My hope was a simple craft would be a good outlet for ladies to sit, chat, and connect. I believe my mission was accomplished! Sunday afternoon after church, our church staff stayed to have lunch together, watch the Seahawks, and play games. Monday was the beginning of our annual staff retreat for Jeremy. I wasn’t able to attend on Monday, so I hosted a playdate at our house after school. Tuesday, I joined Jeremy for staff retreat… and by Wednesday, I was a bit peopled-out. I stayed home all day and recovered from all the activity!

Friday is our favorite day for family adventures. Yesterday, we visited Mt. Rainier National Park. We were a little early for all the fall color, but we were early enough that the marmots weren’t hibernating yet (we missed them last October). We also found a black bear foraging for berries. We weren’t disappointed that it was cool and cloudy. The animal sightings made up for missing a clear view of the mountain and the autumn colors were lovely. The mountain did emerge just before we left. It’s always an impressive sight! We love having a national park so close by!

That about sums up our September outings. I’m looking forward to all we have planned for October. The combination of birthday month and favorite fall traditions makes for the best month of the year! It’s almost here. Hooray!

Beautiful flowers that my mother-in-law grew and arranged! So talented!

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium – The walrus was so friendly!

Cute little Baby Boos my mom shared with me!

Mt. Rainier National Park – I took so many marmot pictures! Ha!

Mt. Rainier National Park – a pretty place to wander!

Mt. Rainier National Park – the mountain emerged from the clouds!

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You Know It’s September When… September 18, 2024

Filed under: Family Time,Homeschool Adventures,Tasty Treats — Amy Scott @ 1:37 pm

All the signs of September are here! Back to school, apple and pumpkin treats, fall decorating… and a big shift in our family schedule – hunting season! For as long as I’ve known my husband, he has spent a good chunk of September in the woods with a bow in his hands. He has shared his love for archery with our boys as well. Jeremy’s hunting days start early and can end late, but he lets the boys tagalong on the evening hunts if it works in our schedule. They love the adventures with Dad and I love quiet evenings at home with a book. It’s a win-win!

Another very September activity is upon us – soccer season! We haven’t participated in organized sports before. The main reason we’ve avoided sports is the schedule. It just feels a bit too much for our family. Thankfully, there is a local homeschool group that meets only once a week for soccer. It’s a little over an hour of soccer drills and scrimmaging. We invested in soccer gear and showed up to the fields for the first time last week. At first, the boys were super nervous. Doing new things can be intimating, even for me! Once they were on the field, they were all smiles. They left saying how they can’t wait to go back and they’ve mentioned that sentiment multiple times over the week. I’m so glad it was a positive experience for them. I finally joined the ranks of being a soccer mom!

Around the house, we’ve been playing Clue and Labyrinth often. They are the current go-to games for our family. Owen just happily finished up the How to Train Your Dragon book series. Graham has been my blackberry picking buddy around our property. Jeremy has been kind enough to assist us grabbing the blackberries we cannot reach. Owen has jumped in a few times to help us, too. It’s been a family effort! I made a blueberry cobbler this week and I plan to make a blackberry crisp soon with our freshly collected berries. I also have a hoard of frozen raspberries I need to start daydreaming about! Yay for berry season!

Our homeschool co-op shifted it’s format this year. We went from meeting weekly the last couple years, to twice a month (at least for the fall, maybe for the whole school year). With adding soccer this fall, the change in our co-op schedule gives us some extra margin. It’s been appreciated. Our co-op met for a social gathering at the start of September and again yesterday, for a nature walk around a local lake. It was a gray day, but perfect for fresh air and exercise with friends. My heart was especially happy as we walked through spots on the trail with leaves falling gently like autumn confetti. So pretty!

There you have it! It’s definitely September! It’s been a good back-to-school transition. We’re loving our homeschool activities and the boys are enjoying the nature adventures with Jeremy. The first official day of autumn is this coming weekend, but we’ve been living in fall mode all month long. Good times!

All smiles after their first soccer practice

My food photography skills are not so great, but thankfully, my baking skills are better! Blueberry cobbler – yum!

A lovely, gray day for a PNW nature walk

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Back to School 2024 September 7, 2024

Filed under: Family Time,Homeschool Adventures,Tasty Treats — Amy Scott @ 12:36 pm

We got back from the our beach vacation on a Monday and dove into our new school year that Wednesday! It was a quick flip from summer vacation mode to school mode. Thankfully, we get back into our school year groove fairly easily. Our daily flow has served us well and I haven’t had to tweak it much year to year. Back-to-school feels a lot like falling back into a familiar routine. We’ve got this! It’s always neat to see how the kiddos have grown year to year with first day of school pictures. As a homeschool family, we don’t have “school picture day” like public school. I try to get a good photo of each boy on the first day of school to use as their version of a school picture.

I realize that the first day of autumn isn’t until September 22nd and we started school at the end of August. We are technically still in the summer season (and the weather in the PNW reflects that). There is something about the start of school and Labor Day weekend that triggers all the fall feels for me. I don’t have a ton of autumn décor, but it all comes out at the start of September. I find it’s a visual switch to a new season. Pops of orange are found in my throw pillows, kitchen hand towel, and tablecloth. I added pumpkin hand soaps in orange bottles to all the bathrooms. A few pumpkin and thankful decorations are out. By decorating for the fall season early, I don’t feel bad heading into Christmas mode by the middle(ish) of November. Many think it’s wrong to decorate for Christmas before Thanksgiving, but I am not one of them. Autumn gets to shine to for 2.5 months at my house. Christmas is welcome to have a solid 1.5 months of display time!

While I revel in fall colors, I also adore fall flavors! I’m one of those crazy pumpkin spice lovers and I’m proud of it! Just yesterday at Costco, I stocked up on pumpkin quick bread mix and pumpkin muffins! Yum! I also did a baking project this week with my favorite sugar cookies. I made apple cookies (vanilla in flavor, apple in appearance). October is the perfect month to showcase pumpkins and September feels an apple month to me. I have been eyeing some blackberries at the end of my driveway as well. After this heat wave passes, I hope to do some berry-picking. All I need is enough blackberries to make a crisp and my fall taste buds will be happy campers!

October is by far my favorite month of the year, but the hints of autumn that come in September also make my heart happy. We had a lovely summer, but I am ready to shift gears into school mode again. I am so grateful for the opportunity to homeschool my boys. Right now with Owen starting his 5th grade year, I would just like to freeze time. Elementary school as been the absolute best and I am not ready for this window of time to pass. I have a feeling I will remember our elementary school homeschool adventures with fondness for the rest of my days.

When you buy non-sporty kids soccer goals and they pretend it’s a prison…

Teaching the boys Clue for the first time

First Day of Co-Op! We did a social gathering with board games, a paper airplane flying contest, water balloon toss, and playground time! It was a blast!

I stocked up on pumpkin treats and autumn tablecloths yesterday!

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What I’ve Been Reading – August 2024 August 31, 2024

Filed under: Amy's Bookshelf — Amy Scott @ 9:45 am

Bookish Thoughts for August

My book list this month is super long! There are a few reasons for this, so let me explain. (1) I was home alone while my family was at summer camp and I had extra time to read. (2) My boys came home from summer camp with colds and we had four days of cancelled plans to spend at home. (3) Our beach vacation was very chill with plenty of time to read. (4) Many of the books listed are under 300 pages, which means I can read them in just a few hours. All of these factors combined into a very bookish month! I’m not complaining! (Okay, it would have been nice to not have summer colds, but… other than that, I’m not complaining.)

Highlights from this very bookish month would be binge reading Katie Bailey and Marie Soleil. I really enjoyed The Midnight Princess by Kiera Dominguez which was a reverse Princess Diaries – the prince gets the makeover and learns how to be royal. It’s been ages since I read a regency romance so I enjoyed the change of genre with Sarah Adams and Kasey Stockton’s novels. Courtney Walsh is a favorite of mine and her new release, The Summer of Yes, was the perfect beach read while on vacation.

Another highlight of the month has been my new study Bible (pictured below). I loved using the NLT Filament Bible journals to study the gospels these last few months. I wanted the Filament app content for the whole Bible so I bought a new Bible to accomplish that. I’ve used it to read the Book of Acts and I’m now into Romans. I love way the Filament app enhances my Bible study, especially the videos from The Bible Project. Plus, this Bible is super pretty. I love my new beautiful and nerdy Bible!

Top Picks for August

The Book List for August
1 Star = I did not like it. 2 stars = It was okay. 3 stars = I liked it. 4 stars = I really liked it. 5 stars = It was amazing.

Non-Fiction:

NLT Filament Bible Journal: The Gospel of John – 5 stars
The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry: How to Stay Emotionally Healthy and Spiritually Alive in the Chaos of the Modern World by John Mark Comer – 5 stars
Boy Mom: What Your Son Needs Most from You by Monica Swanson – 4 stars

Fiction:

The Midnight Princess by Kiera Dominguez – 4 stars
Stay Close by Kiera Dominguez – 3 stars
So That Happened by Katie Bailey – 3 stars
I Think He Knows by Katie Bailey – 3 stars
Resorting to Romance by Savannah Scott – 3 stars
Mistress Pat by L.M. Montgomery – 4 stars
To Con a Gentleman by Sarah Adams – 4 stars
To Catch a Suitor by Sarah Adams – 3 stars
But He’s My Roommate by Annah Conwell – 3 stars
Speak Your Truth by Marie Soleil – 3 stars
Feel the Rhythm by Marie Soleil – 3 stars
Let Love In by Marie Soleil – 3 stars
Take a Chance by Marie Soleil – 3 stars
Cookies & Kisses by Marie Soleil – 3 stars
Love is a Roller Coaster by Marie Soleil – 3 stars
Exceptional Emma by Marie Soleil – 4 stars
The Summer of Yes by Courtney Walsh – 4 stars
Love in the Bargain by Kasey Stockton – 3 stars
Love for the Spinster by Kasey Stockton – 3 stars
Love at the House Party by Kasey Stockton – 4 stars
Love in the Wager by Kasey Stockton – 4 stars
Love in the Ballroom by Kasey Stockton – 4 stars
A Groom of One’s Own by Emma St. Clair – 3 stars
Runaway Bride & Prejudice by Emma St. Clair – 3 stars

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A Week at the Beach August 28, 2024

Filed under: Family Time,Simply Me,Travels — Amy Scott @ 2:15 pm

We just got back from our final hurrah of the summer – a week at the Oregon Coast! We stayed in Oceanside for the first time. It’s near a favorite of ours, the Tillamook Creamery (we visited three times on this trip). While the creamery was familiar, this section of beach was new to us. We loved discovering a new stretch of the Oregon Coast. Highlights from the trip include visiting the Yaquina Head and Bay Lighthouse in Newport, exploring tidepools, collecting rocks and shells, daily beach walks, a tour at the Cape Meares Lighthouse, and a walk to the Octopus Tree. We enjoyed our favorite coast restaurants – Mo’s and Pig ‘N Pancake. We visited Terra Del Mar and Pacific City for the first time. We visited Jacobsen Salt Co. and learned how they harvest salt from Netarts Bay. Jeremy and the boys tried their hands at crabbing and clamming. There was also lots of restful downtime around the beach house. We played board games, the boys got video game time, and I read many books! We appreciated the extra time spent with my parents and sister. All around it was a great trip and an excellent way to wrap up our summer vacation!

Collecting cheese samples at the Tillamook Creamery

Exploring the Cobble Beach tide pools by the Yaquina Head Lighthouse

Birding at Sitka Sedge State Natural Area

The ice cream line at the Tillamook Creamery was too long our last night, so we all got pints at Safeway. A tasty way to wrap up our trip.

Last beach sunset (with Jeremy photobombing)

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Kids Camp & Mom Camp August 14, 2024

Filed under: Amy's Bookshelf,Bible,Children's Ministry,Getting Creative,Parenthood,Tasty Treats,Travels — Amy Scott @ 2:08 pm

Last week was a milestone! Both boys are now old enough to go to summer camp as campers! Two summers ago, Owen went as a first-time camper while Graham and I stayed home. Because Graham missed Owen and Jeremy so much (my company wasn’t enough), he and I went last year and stayed with Jeremy in his cabin (Jeremy is the co-director of kids camp). But this year! This year they could all go and I opted (with the blessing of my husband) to stay home.

I’ve dreamt of a having a solitude retreat for many years. I’ve read from multiple authors who suggest solitude retreats at hotels or conference centers, but I don’t have the time or budget for that in this season of life. Staying home while my family went to camp gave me the solitude retreat I’ve been envious of without paying to go away. Also, as a homeschool mom, I’m in the background (or forefront) of most of my kids’ activities. I figured by staying home, I could give them some growing independence and a chance to make memories without me. It’s difficult to say that since I love making fun memories with my kids, but I can also release them to have good experiences without me. I’m looking at it as preparation for launching adults someday. Baby steps toward the main goal!

Summer camp is always a whirlwind of activity! The kids enjoyed snack shack, swimming at the lake, boating, paddling boarding, climbing the rock wall, smores, chapel, and time with cousins and church friends. Summer camp is such an awesome experience not only to have fun, but to connect with God and deepen friendships. I went to this same camp as an elementary student. I love that the boys are making summer camp memories in the same spot I did.

I enjoyed my own version of summer camp – Mom Camp! I definitely had a plan for each day I was home. I’m so happy with what I was able to accomplish! Some of my home projects included mopping, washing all the bedding, and washing the sofa covers (all tasks that are easier alone). I did a mini-spa night with Crest White Strips and a hair mask. I watched Unsung Hero, both the movie and the extras. I worked on a diamond art coaster craft. I’ve never done this craft before and since I’m leading a workshop on it this fall, it was good practice. I was able to make photobook of our Yellowstone road trip on Shutterfly. I did some baking. I took extra long walks. I enjoyed so many good books and did a prayer exercise that really set the tone for my alone time. Right before the start of a new school year, it felt like the perfect time to invest in my physical, mental, and spiritual health. I’m already brainstorming and daydreaming about what next year could hold.

Making summer camp memories with the cousins!

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Family & Friends August 4, 2024

Filed under: Family Time,Tasty Treats,Travels — Amy Scott @ 1:49 pm

I just read a book where the characters would toast at dinner, “To friends who feel like family!” It got me thinking over the last week and how special it is to have friends who feel like family, but also to have family who feel like friends. These relationships make life extra sweet!

We’ve continued our super social summer with more dinners and playdates. There has been something fun almost every single day. The highlights since my last post were camping with the Scott family for the weekend at Iron Creek Campground in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest and visiting with friends who now live across the country! We’ve been making lasting memories with treasured people.

Camping is always an adventure! Without fail, an air mattress always seems to die while we are out in the woods. Jeremy and I’s mattress needed to be refilled a couple times a night so we didn’t sleep on the hard ground. The lack of sleep out camping is probably my least favorite part, but there are lots of favorites to make up for the sacrifice. I’m a huge fan of camping food and reading by the campfire. The smell of campfire smoke that lingers long after the fire has been put out is definitely a favorite. I love watching the cousins run amuck in the moods or sitting around the campfire telling spooky stories which result in giggles more than chills. There were multiple card games and hikes and plenty of time to catch up.

The day after our camping trip, we hosted my forever friend, Maggie, and her family. We played games, ate pizza, and chatted around the table. The kids played hard and Owen fell in love with their puppies. Maggie moved to the other side of the country at the start of 2024. Visits like this will be few and far between with the miles that now separate us. It makes these times extra meaningful. I wish I could slow them down and live in them just a little longer. After having them over a visit, we spent Friday visiting them at the beach (their current home base). We enjoyed a morning of mini-golf, a trip to the bakery, a BBQ lunch, and an afternoon at the beach. My friendship with Maggie has spanned decades and it’s such a joy to watch our families be friends too.

We’ve made some good summer memories! These are the days I’ll think back to and smile. The smell of sunscreen, chlorine from the pool, campfire smoke, a dusty trail, the ocean breeze… all linked to happy times. It’s been a summer of popsicles, ice cream sandwiches, and chocolate chip cookies. Not to mention lots of wet and dirty laundry! These are all signs of a summer well-lived. I am beyond grateful!

Our home sweet home for three days at Iron Creek Campground

The Fishing Crew – photo credit goes to my sis-in-law since I was back at the campfire reading!

“Spooky” stories with silly names have become a favorite for these kids.

The kids insisted on swimming even though it was freezing!

I have zero mini-golf skills, but it was still fun!

Again, the kids didn’t seem to mind the cold water!

Forever friends – no matter where we live!

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What I’ve Been Reading – July 2024 July 31, 2024

Filed under: Amy's Bookshelf — Amy Scott @ 2:30 pm

Bookish Thoughts for July

There was plenty of light and fluffy summer reading this month, but… I took a detour and spent time with some wonderful parenting books. Being in children’s ministry (and being a homeschool mom), I’m always looking for books to recommend. From Monica Swanson to Sally Clarkson to Cindy Rollins, I learned so much this month. All of these women have raised grown children and have written down their experiences and wisdom. I am so thankful for their voices! Also, Monica and Sally have invited their children to share (and for Monica, her husband as well) their family story has well. I love when families collaborate on books. Not only to do see one side of their family, but we get to see the layers of family experience. It’s a powerful testimony!

Fiction highlights of the month were the Sweet as Sugar Maple series by Kate Watson and The Falling for Summer series (by various authors) with all it’s beachy vibes. I re-read the Caraval series and the Once Upon a Broken Heart series by Stephanie Garber. These have all been fun summer reads. I’ve enjoyed meeting new characters along with revisiting familiar faces. I love new books, but I will always be a re-reader as well! Summer reading in July has definitely been a good mix.

First time taking my Kindle camping. I was a little nervous about taking tech into the woods, but it was great!

Nothing quite like reading by a campfire!

Top Picks for July

The Book List for July
1 Star = I did not like it. 2 stars = It was okay. 3 stars = I liked it. 4 stars = I really liked it. 5 stars = It was amazing.

Non-Fiction:

Different: The Story of an Outside-the-Box Kid and the Mom Who Loved Him by Sally Clarkson and Nathan Clarkson – 4 stars
Mere Motherhood: Morning Times, Nursery Rhymes, & My Journey Toward Sanctification by Cindy Rollins – 4 stars
Raising Amazing: Bringing Up Kids Who Love God, Like Their Family, and Do the Dishes without Being Asked by Monica Swanson – 5 stars
Becoming Homeschoolers: Give Your Kids a Great Education, a Strong Family, and a Life They’ll Thank You for Later by Monica Swanson – 4 stars
NLT Filament Bible Journal: Luke – 5 stars

Fiction:

Strawberry Fields for Never by Kate Watson – 4 stars
Baby Llama Drama by Kate Watson – 4 stars
It’s Always Sonny by Kate Watson – 3 stars
Love and Treasure by Carina Taylor – 3 stars
Caraval by Stephanie Garber – 4 stars
Legendary by Stephanie Garber – 3 stars
Finale by Stephanie Garber – 3 stars
Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber – 3 stars
The Ballad of Never After by Stephanie Garber – 4 stars
A Curse for True Love by Stephanie Garber – 3 stars
Summer Tease by Martha Keyes – 3 stars
Beauty and the Beach by Gracie Ruth Mitchell – 3 stars
One Happy Summer by Becky Monson – 3 stars
The Roommate Situation by Katie Bailey – 3 stars
The Neighbor War by Katie Bailey – 3 stars

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A Super Social Summer July 22, 2024

Filed under: Family Time,Getting Creative,Tasty Treats,Travels — Amy Scott @ 1:35 pm

If I could use one word to describe our summer, it would be social! Especially this last month! Our calendar has been a blend of hosting play dates and dinners and then traveling for play dates and dinners with friends and family. In June, Owen shared his wish to see more friends and then in July, we had so many friends over to our house that Owen requested we start going over to other people’s houses! I laughed because it felt like I just couldn’t win! But in the end, we’ve created a good mix of here and there and everywhere. Gotta keep things interesting!

One of my favorite days this month was a Friday that we packed up for a day of exploring in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. We scoped out a campground we plan to visit this summer and then went hiking nearby. We enjoyed all the waterfalls on the Covell Creek Trail. We made a quick stop at Layser Cave before moving on to Takhlakh Lake with a lovely view of Mt. Adams. It was a great day of adventuring together in nature!

Another fun activity was a small Christmas in July moment I had with the boys this last week. We had leftover miniature gingerbread house kits from IKEA. They’ve been sitting in my pantry since December. The boys loved decorating while I supervised (sipping on hot chocolate and listening to Christmas music). It was so festive and the gingerbread cookies smelled heavenly! Owen decorated houses while Graham made sprinkle explosions on a couple cookies. It was hilarious to see the difference in these two cookie decorators!

We love playing board games as a family and with company. We relearned a game from our collection this month. BANG! is a western game with a sheriff, deputy, renegade, and outlaws – each with an agenda to kill the sheriff or keep him alive. It’s been a hit! We also got a new game thanks to Prime Days, Machi Koro 2. We taught the boys this weekend and it’s a current obsession. We even taught it to friends last night. I love that our new board game cabinet in the dining room is getting used like I envisioned!

There is no doubt about it – summer is an intense burst of activity! The window of good weather and flexible scheduling only lasts so long. It’s been great to see so many people and do so many fun things together. But… I’ve also started to daydream about autumn and a little more structure to our schedule. I can’t help myself! I’m an introvert who can only keep the summer pace up for so long. Good thing it’s only a season and I hope to be as present as possible while it’s here!