We’ve had some really lovely summer fun lately! From an amusement park day to fishing and all the everyday moments in between, we’ve having having such a great time together.
Here’s what we’ve been up to lately!
A Day at Kennywood 🎢
We surprised the kids by taking them to Kennywood on Friday. Jimmy did a half day at work and then we headed to the park!
We spent the afternoon and evening riding rides, making core summer memories, eating ice cream, and simply enjoying time together. We couldn’t have asked for better weather—it was cloudy and in the low 80s. Perfect, in my opinion!
Mordecai was finally tall enough to ride all of the kid rides this year, so he and Sadie rode most rides together! Jimmy’s sister joined us for a bit and she and Jimmy rode a coaster together. We all rode the merry go round together, too!
Dakota was all about wandering around (we brought a wagon instead of a stroller so she kept hopping in and out 😂) and snacking! Sadie wanted to play alllll the games, and Mordecai was finally excited to be able to ride more rides!
To save money, we packed our dinner and brought snacks. We told the kids they could choose one treat while we were there and they picked ice cream!
It was just all-around a really great day! The kids were happy and well-behaved, we had fun, and it was one of those types of days I dreamt of in the dead of winter—a perfect summer day with my family! We left the park with smiles on our faces and three tired and happy kids.
Fishing Together 🎣
When we made a summer fun list for this season, Kennywood and fishing were both on it. We knocked those out back-to-back over the weekend!
We went to Raccoon Creek State Park and spent an evening fishing with my in-laws! Once again, it was one of those perfect summer nights with my family that I dream of all year long.
Both Sadie and Mordecai caught fish, too!
I was worried Dakota would try to get in the lake nonstop but she was more interested in our snacks!
It was such a peaceful evening after the hustle and bustle of the amusement park from the day before! There’s just something about being in nature with those you love that really magnifies contentment.
Have you done anything summer-esque lately?
In My Kitchen 🍽️
As per usual, I’ve been cooking, baking, and feeding our little family! Before we left for Kennywood and fishing, I put together a snack box for the kids. This was the first time I did this and it was a big hit. Woo hoo!
Inside our box, I packed Scooby Snacks, Nilla Wafers, Ritz Bits, Cheerios, Bamba Suns, pretzel sticks, veggie straws, and Cheez-Its.
I also made manicotti recently. It felt very nostalgic for me to put these together! My paternal grandmother would make manicotti for every family gathering, so I have a lot of sweet memories tied to them! This was my first time making them and I can now appreciate how much work she put into this special dish!
Last but not least, I baked some granola for a couple of Etsy orders. It feels great to be selling on Etsy again. 😊
Have you baked or cooked anything special lately?
Notes From My Bible 📝
I finished studying the book of Nehemiah during my Bible study time. Not going to lie, I kind of want to read Nehemiah all over again now that I understand it so much better. Who knows… maybe I will do just that!
What have you been studying lately?
The Little Moments ☀️
Our everyday moments are always some of my favorites! Walks around the neighborhood, swinging on the porch swing, sipping coffee, and hanging out with our sweet kids are what fill my cup lately.
Popsicles on the porch for these two!
Coffee for mama. Our daily 4:30 am wakeup comes fast every morning. This coffee keeps me going.
We pet sat Niva’s best friend for eight days! Best sleepover ever for those two. 😊
And we’ve had church!
What little moments have you been loving lately?
Other Notes and Thoughts 📝
- Scripture I’m loving: “I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.” Jeremiah 31:25
- Recipes to make: cranberry white chocolate chip cookies and orange chicken. 🍊
- We’ve been loving evenings in the hot tub lately. 🫧
- The last three things I bought on Amazon: cereal, espresso powder, and more cereal. 😂
- I deep cleaned our kitchen on Sunday afternoon and it was so satisfying once it was finished! 🧽
- Mordecai and I went on a date together last night! He asked to go to Dollar Tree to get a gum ball from the quarter machine in the front of the store. He was also on the hunt for water balloons. He’s so easy to please! 🤍
And that’s a wrap on all of our summer fun and everyday life lately. It has been such a great mix of exciting adventures and slow, simple moments. I love it so much!
On Friday, we’re going to the Pittsburgh Zoo. I can’t wait to see what Dakota thinks of the animals. The rest of our week will be filled with Etsy orders, homeschooling, laundry, family time, church, and an orthodontist appointment for Sadie girl.
Living My Full Life 