Wow…that went fast!

My kids are back in school and our lazy days are winding down. Even though summer has technically ended for them, it hasn’t for me. I hold on tightly to the last few moments before labor day. I don’t think my mind will ever adjust to summer being over in mid-August with the new backpacks and school year.

So…in this lull before sports and homework really kick in and starts our busy school-year schedule, I have a few things left to check off my summer list.

4. Running through the sprinkler

Fresh-cut grass is one of my favorite smells. Growing up, summer was spending most of the day in a bathing suit either at the pool or running through the sprinkler in our backyard. My kids were a little iffy on the whole idea at first. Didn’t stop me from showing them how it’s done and now they are on board.

3. Grilling as much as possible

I love our system for grilling. I’ll marinate meat in the morning, prep the sides in the afternoon, and then have everything ready for the hubs to cook for dinner while I do the dishes. By the time we eat, my kitchen is clean. Hard not to love grilling. I will confess, I love to bake and cook heavy foods like pastas and casseroles. I am looking forward to all my hearty, cold weather favorites. But I always miss the grill (and Johnsonville brats, yum).

2. Bike rides

I’ve really stepped up my bike riding game this summer. I bought a lock and am in an easy enough distance to bike to the pool, the gym, the library, the Starbucks, and most of my friends’ houses. It’s been my go-to transportation and I love it. Especially fun to bike with my oldest and head to the playgrounds together.

1. Spending every second outdoors

I live in the Midwest. We get winter. Winter is very real and very long. I have come to appreciate every season (because honestly, what’s the alternative). But I’ve also come to realize that I need to soak up all the outside time I can (even in winter, when possible).

Not wearing a coat to walk the dog, eating every meal I can outside, lying on a blanket in the sun while I read, these are the things I miss the most.