After the passing of the 4th of July and Kaitlyn's 2nd birthday, the second half of July was filled with the sweet and simple memories of summer. With an uncertain fall looming and a football season that always has us running from sun up to sun down rapidly approaching, I always like to keep late July easy and free. The days are hot and sticky and stifling at times, but those summer nights are the sweet spot. Those are the hours we miss most in the dead of winter.
We filled July up with picnic suppers at the park, walks around the neighborhood at sunset, pool nights before bedtime... and trips to the water's edge on Friday nights to help clear my mind and soothe my soul. Still in the midst of a pandemic and no clue what the school year would look like, we did our best to fill our senses with fresh air and the sound of the water lapping at our feet.
One of our favorite parks not far from our house - it's small and nostalgic with a little neighborhood library stand and pretty little vintage houses all around - and Kaitlyn just loves this dinosaur.
Brandon was missing school fiercely, so frequent trips to the Lincoln playground helped fill the void just a bit.
And trail walks under the bridge to search for snails and other river treasures was always a go-to when we just needed something to occupy our minds and ease our nerves.
We finished our kitchen and reaped its benefits - I returned to my love of baking and even experimented from time to time - like on this particular Saturday morning when we made messy but tasty French beignets.
We re-visited old favorite places from the boys' earliest years.
And Jaden even got to play some basketball after being invited to play for a summer team in a couple of Des Moines tournaments.
