Summer is slipping through our fingers, as it does every year, and I’m snap-shotting as many moments as possible, wanting to freeze-frame joys big and little.
We’ve felt a little short on buddy-time these past couple of months due to by-passing travel schedules, but have squeezed in a couple of hangouts, like this evening with the crew at Lowman Beach. It’s so apparent from these photos how much Juliette loves being the presence of these people.
We skipped our annual Idaho trip this summer and leaned into a West Seattle Fourth of July, complete with a curbside viewing of the neighborhood parade, which is really just a single fire truck followed by hundreds of families taking a walk together in their red, white, and blue.
We picnicked with friends in the afternoon on the Fourth, with popsicle appetizers and a burger bar and eight varieties of chips…
And then spent the evening at home, doing sparklers and fireworks with our neighbors. This is the first Fourth that Isaac has been old enough to hold his own sparkler! Such pride.
The fireworks were a bit confusing for him, initially. Why were we making so much noise? And such a mess?
But soon he got into it.
REALLY into it.
We only made it to Coleman Pool once this summer, on an 80-degree day that proved to still be too cool to enjoy a long swim. But the bikeride was beautiful, our quick dip was fun, and the beachfront burritos were superb.
When temps climbed toward 90 later that week, we hopped in the neighbor’s pool for some more drawn-out swim time. What a treat.
On the rare occasion that we found ourselves with a free Saturday, we headed toward open water with our paddleboard and squirters in tow. I forgot how good Chism Beach is!
(Don’t jump, Isaac!)
(JUMP, JULES!)
It took Juliette ten minutes to get up the gumption to make the jump and swim to Shane on the floating dock, but once she leapt, her dad was all cheers.
Back at shore, Isaac eased into the water a bit more gradually. Cold, Bud?
But he quickly acclimated.
Juliette showed him how to load the water squirter and once he got the hang of it, he was dangerous.
Popsicle break…
And then lunch at Dough Zone, where this cool kid drank half of my mango iced green tea.
We ordered a second paddleboard last month so that we could get out on the water as a family, but our first paddleboard popped (on land, thankfully) as we were loading up for a sunset SUP at Lowman. The best-laid plans… Isaac and still got out on the new board for a quick test drive. It floats!
Miscellaneous playground snaps, of wading pools and spray parks and climbing walls…
We took in (part of) a Mariners game at my office’s summer picnic. Snacks, lemonade, and matching pink hats for the kids. I don’t even recall if the M’s won, but we certainly felt like we came out ahead!
Juliette has been extra fitness-focused since getting her Apple watch and is always game to accompany me on my evening walks. I LOVE these walks, this dedicated catch-up time with my girl. Often the highlight of my day.
If I’m working from home and can step away from my desk a little early, we jog to Isaac’s preschool to pick him up, then catch the bus home. Something for everyone!
Front yard hangs continue to be another simple summer pleasure. So many giggles during my evening watering. Pants optional.
Finally, Isaac and I capped off July with a berry-picking spree at Bybee Nims while Juliette was at a soccer tournament. It was cloudy that day, but Mount Si was no less beautiful and the blueberries were no less sweet.
Isaac ate about 10 berries for each one he dropped into our bucket.
And for the record, I told him not to eat the green ones! This will teach him to listen to his mama.
Back to the blues…
These slow, sweet summer days with my boy…we’re eating it all up. Every last bit.
