Already at the End of Summer

Back in June, I wrote about the start of summer. The weeks have whizzed by. Here's a recap of our summer joy.

Last week in town

We made the most of the rest of my parents’ stay with us. We checked out Sue, the most complete T. Rex skeleton found. It traveled from its home in the Field Museum in Chicago to the Science Center of St Louis. 

We strolled through the Soulard Farmer’s market, which I remember going to with my mom when I was my daughters’ ages. I recall her joy when she finally got a metal grocery cart to make the shopping trips easier.

My mom didn’t seem as nostalgic about Soulard as I thought she might be, but my dad enjoyed exploring the stalls. My mom said her favorite outing was the Butterfly House. Seeing scores of flittering beauties is pretty magical.

My employer gave us July 5th off at last minute, so I had an unexpected but lovely four-day weekend.

I took my girls to the Independence Day parade downtown. It’s nowhere near the level of attendees and grandness as when I was a kid, but we had a jovial time nonetheless. 

Our neighbors had a pool party that was perfect for the hot and humid day. It was lovely to catch up with each other. The food was delicious. I like to take advantage of any large gatherings to bring a Chantilly Cake from Whole Foods. It’s a marvelous and divine layered white cake with fresh berries and whipped chantilly cream. Perfection.

That night, my family of four went back downtown for the Celebrate St. Louis fireworks display on the riverfront. Fireworks are my favorite. There’s something about the reverberating boom and waiting to see what will light up the sky that fills me with pure joy. That night’s spectacle was very well attended and grander than I remember as a kid. Just spectacular.

With a bonus day off from work, we took the kids on a high ropes course. Claire was fearless and Julia quite brave. We all had a fantastic time. Luckily we got an amazing deal on a frequent flyer pass, so we’ll definitely be going again and again.

In the middle of summer, we took two road trips. One was to Mattoon, IL for a celebration of life of Jeanne Sathre. While not blood related, Jeanne and my mother-in-law’s family grew and grew up together.

I had forgotten how tight-knit this quasi-family was until Jeanne’s daughter, Alex, reminded me that her and my husband’s entire families were present during our first date to a haunted house and Pizza Hut all those years ago. 

Some things I’m surprised I have forgotten but am tickled to have that memory again. I haven’t forgotten about Jeanne speaking at our wedding. And I appreciate having memories reinforced about how much she loved her family and friends and her bookstore. 

I didn’t read Jeanne’s blog at the time she ran a bookstore and wrote about it. I appreciate her insights, cynicism, and wit much more now than I would have when I was younger. It’s renewed my interest to keep blogging. Someone may appreciate it today and maybe someone else years and years later.

The other road trip this summer was a Halley family vacation. Our first stop was Silver Dollar City in Branson, MO. Phil and I had never been.

It was a lofty goal to go to the amusement park when it opened and stay until the end for fireworks but we did it! We had plenty good fun bouncing on cargo nets, letting the kids ride their favorite rides over and over, shooting lightweight balls with air cannons, and listening to a piano man and a pop concert. 

And funnel cake!

And the fireworks were ridiculously amazing.

The next day we made our way to Great Wolf Lodge in Kansas City, KS. But first we stopped at Lambert’s Cafe, Home of the Throwed Rolls. 

My oldest daughter remembered when we took her to the one in Sikeston five years ago, which is crazy. She caught a roll cleanly when she was four, so she had no trouble catching several this time. Maybe we’ll make it a tradition to go to Lambert’s in another five years. 

Great Wolf Lodge seems to be a tradition already, considering the Halleys went last year. I was the only one who didn’t go last time, so it was all new and novel for me. I had as much fun as the kids at the water park, but they also did the MagiQuest, mini golf, arcade, Build-a-Bear, ice cream, and candy store.

And…there was still more fun to be had. We attended the St. Louis CITY SC away game against Sporting KC at night. Children’s Mercy Park is just down the street from Great Wolf Lodge. This, of course, was the catalyst for this whole trip.

It would have been amazing if we had maintained our lead and got the win that night. Still, we were in great spirits saying hi and high-fiving CITY players. 

Even though we were utterly exhausted each day of our trip, it felt like we were doing long summer days right. 

Another thing that felt right was hanging out with dear friends. St. Louis has drawn a number of us back home and together again. Our friend group has grown with significant others, children, and more friends.

We’ve had gatherings large, medium, and small. Each feels special and like simple times. I love every moment. 

So that’s my summer. Simple but memorable and grand ole fun. 

I hope you’ve all had an amazing summer!