Summer is well underway! We are busy crossing things off our summer bucket list and getting some projects done as well.
Last Saturday we cut down a dead aspen tree from our yard. Our neighbors had one to take out too, so we all worked together on both trees and had them down and all cleaned up in two hours! We saved parts of the trunk for the front porch which I love. There’s a definite hole where the tree stood, but hopefully a smaller aspen will grow up in its spot. And, it’s clear there’s another tree that will need to be taken out sooner than later. Aspen trees have a short life, but hopefully these will stand a few more years.
I’ve been working on a few big projects around the house lately and am glad to check these off my list. Early in the month I finally got all of the winter coats and gear all washed and stored in the basement. That is always such a big job washing all the gloves and scarves and coats. Next, the kids helped go through all of their school supplies. We printed the supply lists for the fall, set aside everything we can use again, and put the rest away. I filed away all of their schoolwork from this past year and also printed all of the emails between the kids and their teachers during at-home learning. James and Anna emailed their teachers pretty regularly between March & May and I wanted them to be able to look back and remember all of the sweet notes they received this school year.
Our one peony bloom was so beautiful!
James is now part of youth group at church! I can’t believe that happened so fast! We expected things to start up in the fall, but we recently received info from the youth pastor and James has been attending a small group hang out time at the student center the past few weeks. Unfortunately with COVID they can’t hold the traditional weekly Jr. High youth group time with the entire group. Hopefully in the fall they’ll be able to. But for now, he’s at least getting plugged in and we’re praying his years in youth group have a profound influence on his life.
James is into robotics right now – building and modifying all kinds of cool things.
The kids are back to seeing friends again and they are loving that. James had his best bud over last week, Anna was invited to come play with a friend from church, and she’s going to swim at another friend’s house this week. When we sat down to make our summer list of fun things to do, “see friends more” was at the top of the kids’ list. They want to make up for lost time so we’re making it a priority.
What is something on your summer bucket list? Do you have a summer project you’re working on?