A Scorching Summer Weekend

It has been hot in Utah lately. We have had several days of triple-digit temperatures, and this weekend was no exception. Even so, we managed to get outside, spend time with people we love, and pack in a surprisingly fun summer weekend.

Saturday started on an especially good note when Madeline slept past 8:00, which meant all three of us got to sleep in. That almost never happens, so it was great. We had a leisurely breakfast, got ourselves ready, and then headed over to Madeline’s school for its Heroes Day celebration.

I think the event may have been connected to the new Spider-Man movie, but regardless of the reason, it was a lot of fun. They had several crafts and activities set up, including one where the kids could decorate their own superhero shields. Madeline immediately understood the assignment and covered hers with as many stickers as she could possibly fit. There was also a dress-up area with a photo backdrop, a few games, and plenty of opportunities for the kids to run around together.

On our way out, everyone received a snow cone, which was easily one of the highlights for Madeline. She happily dug into hers and ended up with a sticky, colorful face. It was a simple community activity, but we were glad we went. We enjoy getting to spend time at her school, and it was fun to see her exploring everything at her own pace.

That evening, after we put Madeline to bed, Josh and his sister Darci came over for a game night. I made mojitos and we all played Azul and ate strawberry ice cream. It was great to catch up with both of them, especially Darci, and hear about everything she has been doing since returning from Hong Kong. It was one of those relaxed evenings where we could sit around the table, play a game, and talk without feeling rushed. We do not have nights like that as often as we used to, which made it especially nice.

On Sunday evening, Kristin and her girls came over for dinner. The last time we saw Skylee, we had been talking about summer plans, and she mentioned that she wanted to go paddleboarding. August is already shaping up to be a busy month, and with the kids going back to school on August 19, summer suddenly feels like it is slipping away. I wanted to make sure we actually followed through instead of letting the idea disappear into the long list of things we hoped to do this summer.

I made a pork roast on the Traeger, and we served it with salad, potatoes, and strawberries. It felt like the perfect summer dinner, and thankfully everyone seemed to enjoy it. After we ate, we gathered our gear and headed down to the lake.

Even though it was still close to 100 degrees, it did not feel quite as oppressive once we were near the water. Alison got onto a paddleboard for the first time in a couple of years, and Skylee took Anna out with her on another board. We were a little surprised that Anna wanted to join in because you never quite know whether she will be excited about an activity or decide she wants nothing to do with it. This time, she was willing to give it a try.

While they were paddling, Madeline and I stayed near the beach. She was perfectly content digging little holes in the sand with a shovel and moving piles of dirt from one place to another. A group of ducks became very interested in her and slowly crept closer, apparently hoping she might have something to eat. Madeline did not mind having them up close at all. She watched them curiously and seemed perfectly comfortable sharing the beach with her new feathered friends.

We also spotted a tiny baby American coot swimming nearby. Coots are funny-looking little birds, but this baby was undeniably cute. 

Eventually, Alison, Skylee, and Anna came back to shore. Anna then decided that she wanted to learn how to paddleboard on her own. I helped her onto the board and started showing her how to balance and use the paddle. She was understandably a little nervous, and the adult paddle was difficult for her to maneuver. Next time, we definitely need to bring a kid-sized paddle because the regular ones can be pretty unwieldy for little humans.

Still, she did a great job. She paddled out a short distance and successfully made her way back to shore. Once she had proven to herself that she could do it, she decided she was finished, which seemed completely fair.

Kristin, Anna, Alison, and Madeline headed back to the house to clean up while Skylee and I took the boards back onto the lake. We decided to make a full loop, something I had not done in quite a while. The lake was completely calm and glassy, and it turned into a beautiful evening for paddleboarding.

Skylee and I talked the entire way around the lake about school, life, and everything she has going on. She is getting older so quickly, and I appreciated having the chance to spend that time with her one-on-one. There were no distractions and nowhere we needed to rush off to. We simply paddled, talked, and took our time making our way around the water.

By the time we returned to the beach, the sun was getting lower and the temperature had finally started to soften. We carried the boards home, rinsed everything off, and put all the gear away.

While we were gone, Madeline had specifically asked Anna to help her put on her pajamas. Anna helped get her ready for bed, and then the two of them read a stack of books together. From the way Alison and Kristin described it, the whole thing was incredibly sweet. Madeline loves her older cousins, and it is fun to watch those relationships become more meaningful as she grows.

We ended the night sitting on the porch, eating more Salt & Straw strawberry ice cream (perfect for a hot summer night), playing games, and talking. The kids were up later than usual, and Madeline’s bedtime routine was definitely delayed, but it felt completely worth it.

Summer seems endless at the beginning, but by August it suddenly feels very short. There are only so many warm evenings, lake days, family dinners, and nights spent talking on the porch. This weekend was hot, sticky, and a little exhausting, but it was also full of the kind of moments that make summer feel fun. I am glad we made the time to enjoy them together.